(Lancaster, PA) — Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology has received formal approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Apprenticeship and Training Office for two programs to become State Registered Pre Apprenticeships. Offered through the College’s Workforce and Economic Development Center, the electro-mechanical and the metals fabrication and welding technology programs now qualify for this credential.

State registered pre apprenticeships are designed to prepare individuals for entry into registered apprenticeships or skilled employment by combining technical instruction, workplace readiness training, and industry-recognized credentials.

“This acknowledgement is another step forward in our focus on career pathway options for students,” said President Pedro A. Rivera II, Ed.D., of Thaddeus Stevens College. “Our mission is to create opportunity through education for a strong future, and this direct workforce credential alignment for students in these six-month programs provides a foundation for launching a steady and thriving career.”

With this approval, students gain earlier access to paid, structured career pathways while employers gain a more predictable pipeline of emerging talent. The designation helps reduce barriers for individuals entering the skilled trades and supports workforce stability in critical manufacturing fields across the region. The college also thanks the Manufacturers’ Association for its sponsorship and collaboration, which helped align these programs with industry needs and advance shared workforce priorities. In addition, ABC Keystone sponsors the metals fabrication and welding training and directly supports apprenticeship pathways.

***

An acclaimed residential two-year college in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an accredited technical college dedicated to preparing students for high-demand careers with family-sustaining wages. Founded in 1905 with 15 students, Thaddeus Stevens College has grown to nearly 1,500 students and 24 high-skill technical and trade degree programs. Through its mission, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology breaks down barriers that perpetuate educational inequities and creates access to a college degree. Committed to the legacy of its benefactor, Thaddeus Stevens, the college serves as an instrument of change in the lives of its students, graduates and employees who, in turn, impact change on businesses, industries and communities across Pennsylvania and beyond. stevenscollege.edu