P-TECH Students Honored by Trocaire, Partners and Local Officials

Trocaire College celebrated its incoming P-TECH students Wednesday, Aug. 15 as they began their academic journeys onsite at Trocaire. The event featured an on-campus lunch and ceremony before the students’ academic program orientations and included remarks from attending elected officials, program partners and Trocaire President Dr. Bassam M. Deeb.

P-TECH (Pathways in Technology) is a state-funded private-public partnership launched five years ago that will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance. Trocaire, the Lackawanna City School District, Erie I BOCES and Catholic Health were chosen as the first P-TECH program in Western New York, one they named HOPE (Health Occupation Pathways to Employment).

The initiative combines high school, college and the professional world to provide students with the necessary skills and education to succeed in their chosen occupations. At Trocaire, possible degrees were all the healthcare arena (Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology and Health Information Technology), an industry that is booming in Western New York.

The goal is for participants to complete their high school diploma and associate degree within six years. Participating high school students are guaranteed admission to Trocaire, and upon graduation will be first in line for a job in the Catholic Health hospital network.

The following officials attended and spoke at the event, congratulating the students on their accomplishments and reflecting on the partnership’s high-level collaboration that has enabled P-TECH HOPE to flourish:

• New York State Senator Tim Kennedy
• City of Buffalo South District Council Member Christopher Scanlon
• New York State Assemblymember Erik Bohen
• Ann Spadone, former superintendent of Lackawanna Public Schools
• Melody Jason, executive director of Instructional Services at Erie 1 BOCES
• Bridget Russo, vice president of Talent Management at Catholic Health

We are so grateful for your support. Congratulations again to our P-TECH students! Check out our many photos from this event in our Facebook photo album!