Bucks County Community College’s (BCCC) Center for Workforce Development has graduated more than 600 students from its industrial skills program, a significant achievement.
The Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship program, launched in 2014, served as the foundation for the Center’s continued growth. Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeships were added in 2016 and Building and Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeships in 2023 as a result. The programs have provided hundreds of students with the skills they need to succeed in high-demand industries throughout the region.
The industrial skills pre-apprenticeship program has a 94% graduation rate, a free participation rate, and a 90% placement rate in lucrative manufacturing careers throughout the program’s history. Bucks has formed partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to sustain these pre-apprenticeships and launch new ones. Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeships are supported by a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“The U.S. Department of Energy workforce training grant supports our collective efforts to prepare the next generation of skilled workers,” said Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the education and training necessary for area residents to launch their manufacturing careers with good-paying jobs in high-demand fields.”
The U.S. Department of Energy award supports Bucks’ Center for Workforce Development in continuing Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeships for 100 additional students, offering intensive career training with one-on-one job placement services ensuring that they secure a high-paying career or apprenticeship upon graduation. This one-on-one approach is a cornerstone of the Center for Workforce Development and crucial in sustaining a 90% placement rate.
Graduates of Bucks’ Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship programs receive a BCCC Certificate of Completion, a State Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate, OSHA10 and Forklift Safety certifications. Graduates of the Metalwork Program complete the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment, with students historically earning a 97% pass rate — underscoring the strength and quality of the program. In addition, graduates of both training programs earn 12 academic credits toward an associate of applied science degree in Business or Engineering Technology. This can help them move into higher-level manufacturing roles as they continue their education.
The pre-apprenticeships span 288 hours, led by industry experts and held Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the College’s Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) facility on the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks in Bristol. The CAT is a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility offering job seekers access to high-quality career training programs.
The next cohorts of the Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship programs will begin on April 13, 2026. Job seekers interested in learning more about these free training programs (valued at $6,500) must attend an information session in February or March. For information session dates and to register, please visit bucks.edu/metalwork and bucks.edu/industrial-maintenance.
For more information, contact Associate Vice President for Workforce Development Susan Herring at 267-685-4827 or CWDinquiry@bucks.edu.
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