US Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris toured CCAC–West Hills Center on Wednesday, January 25, to see firsthand how US Department of Labor grants are helping community colleges better train American workers to succeed in a skills-based economy. CCAC is part of a consortium of 14 community colleges in Pennsylvania that received a $20 million Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant from the Department of Labor. Attendees visited Welding, Automotive, HVAC and Mechatronics labs with tours offered by CCAC faculty members and administrators.

CCAC President Alex Johnson and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald spoke alongside Deputy Secretary Harris at a brief press conference, welcoming those in attendance and speaking to the importance of community colleges and workforce training initiatives. Later, Deputy Secretary Harris and President Johnson held a roundtable discussion with CCAC students, alumni, faculty members, multiple elected officials and employers, discussing local employment, education and additional training needs.

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Discussing the importance of employers and educators working together, from left to right: Debra Williams, director, grants, Westmoreland County Community College; Judy Savolskis, interim vice president, Workforce Development; Jim Penna, district director, Congressman Mark S. Critz; Nancilee Burzachechi, JD, CFRE, vice president, Institutional Advancement & External Relations; Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive; Rob Klodowski, Sun Chevrolet; Donna Imhoff, PhD, campus president, CCAC–North Campus and CCAC–West Hills Center; Seth D. Harris, deputy secretary, US Department of Labor; Michael J. Finnerty, member, Allegheny County Council; Stefani Pashman, chief executive officer, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board; Al Catanzarite, vice president, Public Relations, PIOGA; Jason Nadzam, instructor, Automotive program, CCAC–West Hills Center; Alex Johnson, president, CCAC; and Byron Kohut, EdD, director, ShaleNET, Westmoreland County Community College.