BCTC, also known as Berks Career and Technology Center, is an institution high school students can choose to attend for extra experience and expertise into any career of their choosing for free through Hamburg Area High School. Students at BCTC are able to connect all of their learning they learn from their schooling and use it towards their personal careers that has at least some relevance to their job of choosing. At BCTC, there are at least 35 programs that the students are allowed to choose from, like Business & Information Technology to Transportation. BCTC preps the future of today by giving them a safe space for learning and a great educational system with at least 16 public school districts all going there to be able to get ahead and learn to succeed in their future endeavors.
Sheila Kern, a student at Hamburg Area High School, is currently learning carpentry at BCTC, so that way she can work with her uncle who owns a carpentry business. She hopes, when she is old enough, to go into the carpentry business with him, because since childhood she has always had an interest in creating things out of her own two hands. Sheila was originally nervous due to the fact that “…it’s still school, but I don’t know a lot of the people there. It’s a different situation because I grew up with everyone in Hamburg, but not here.” Sheila Kern was also nervous about the bus rides and the school itself because she has never done something like this before, but she predicts that the rest of the year will go well and it will get easier for her to get used to her surroundings. “I would warn those wanting to do BCTC that they should not be afraid to ask for help, and try not to worry about new faces.” Sheila also warns that students should have good time management before going as they will get home later, and BCTC expects for students to keep consistent and good grades in their academics throughout the entirety of the year.
Another student, Madeline Zuber, whose trade is diesel technology, wants to learn more about the mechanics of vehicles because she has loved trucks and vehicles her whole life. That love for vehicles is the main reason why it influenced her to become a diesel mechanic, which thankfully BCTC has a program for. Zuber states, “…My experience at BCTC has been great so far, and my instructors are really kind.” When Madeline first started, she was nervous, “I was one of the only girls in my class, and I was a little scared people would be mean to me about it.” But to her surprise, everyone has been so kind to her and helpful in her class. “My experience at BCTC has been great so far,” she says. “My instructors are really kind and I look forward to going every day.” She believes that the rest of the year at BCTC will go smoothly, and one piece of advice she’d share with newcomers is that homework will be an everyday thing. She also mentions OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that takes at least 10 hours and requires lots of effort and time to be put into it in order to do her shop.
Faithmarie Eisenhard, who is another sophomore doing BCTC this year, is learning cosmetology. “The main reason why I chose this trade is because, overall, it brings me much enjoyment and is something I look forward to doing everyday,” Faithmarie states. She, as well, was nervous about BCTC, but she said that as soon as she got into the swing of things, it became easy. “So far, my BCTC experience has been amazing,” she states. “I love the people and the environment is great. My instructors are so nice too. BCTC is a great way to surround yourself with people who have common interests like you.” Faithmarie predicts that the rest of the year will continue to be good and go on smoothly. She also says that throughout the year she will gain more knowledge and a lot of experience in the world of cosmetology. “I would warn students who want to do BCTC that it’s a lot of work you’re taking on which means a lot of responsibility. You have to maintain your grades at school while maintaining your work at BCTC and continue to love what you’re doing.” She also suggests to new students who want to try out BCTC to not join the same trade as their friends or peers. “Choose a program that you love and are passionate about.”
BCTC is a program that any student who wants to learn a trade should take advantage of while they can in Hamburg Area High School. It is a good way to gain experience and mastery of a program of their choice that they love and will want to continue to do after they graduate.
For more information about BCTC and their programs, visit: https://berkscareer.com/about-us/
