Lehigh Carbon Community College is one of the recipients of a statewide Teacher in the Workplace (TIW) grant, in partnership with the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley to shine the light on local manufacturing careers by introducing teachers to local companies.

The $25,000 grant is part of $2.6 million awarded statewide by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

Teachers from Allentown, Salisbury and Whitehall-Coplay school districts are spending time over the next few weeks at Mack Trucks, Lutron, B. Braun Medical, Uline and ATAS.

The program kicked off with a visit from Eileen Cipriani, deputy secretary for Workforce Development for the Department of Labor & Industry, at Mack Trucks, where she toured the facility and greeted teachers participating in the program.

The manufacturing TIW program, administered by the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Carbon Community College, received a grant to educate teachers about local manufacturing jobs to help them develop lesson plans that teach students the skills for in-demand careers.

The Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program would expand career and technical education and STEM programs.

“This opportunity to connect teachers with employers in local manufacturing is a true benefit to everyone,” said LCCC President Dr. Ann D. Bieber.

“Teachers will have a chance to see first-hand the kinds of career opportunities that are available to students interested in these STEM fields.

“And employers can connect with teachers to share insight into what skills will make students successful. The college is honored to partner with the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley to facilitate these conversations.”