It was another outstanding year for the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation (LCCTF).

Students and the businesses that hire them stand to benefit.

The LCCTF recently announced the awarding of a total of $142,727 in Dr. Michael K. Curley Teacher Innovation Grants that will have a profound effect on Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) students.

"I think we are very fortunate to be able to make the impact we do to really enhance the training and the opportunities here for our students," said LCCTF executive director Jennifer Baker. "We want to make sure that they are at their best when they enter the workforce, and this equipment goes to that."

Justin Findley of the heavy equipment operations and basic maintenance program at the Brownstown campus was awarded a $19,997 grant for the purchase of TOPCON GPS. That will enable students to complete projects as they would at a work site.

Brian Myers of the electrical construction technology program at the Brownstown campus was awarded a $12,000 grant to put a customized photovoltaic training system in the courtyard.

Tim Rosenberg of the computer networking and security program at the Brownstown campus was awarded a $23,322 grant for a project called Cyber City 2.0.

Doug Stevens of the introduction to manufacturing program at the Mount Joy campus was awarded a $20,000 grant to create a lab where students will design and 3D print various objects.

Brian Singer of the automotive technology AST program at the Willow Street campus was awarded a $15,000 grant to buy a CAN Bus Management System that will allow students to learn how to diagnose and repair a CAN Bus system.

Donna Maslin of the dental hygiene program at the Willow Street location was awarded a $12,655 grant to be used for funding to teach students Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT).

Jessica Weinholt of the medical assistant program at the Willow Street campus was awarded a $15,000 grant for Integrated Diagnostic Wall Systems, which will provide students with hands-on experience with equipment that is found in medical facilities.

Lindsay Feerrar of the veterinary assistant program at the Willow Street campus was awarded a $24,752 grant for a laboratory equipment update.

The LCCTF issued grants worth a total of $74,511 last year, $176,746 in 2023-24, and $98,969 in 2022-23.

"It all depends on the funding that we receive and the requests that we get from the instructors, which is why it varies every year, but we've had some excellent years being able to support a number of programs," Baker said.

The LCCTF raises funds in a variety of ways. Each May, the organization holds its Fly on the Run event. The first day features a banquet at the Mount Joy campus, with food that's prepared and served by students and a live auction featuring items made by students. A fly-fishing tournament is held the following day. This year's Fly on the Run event will be held on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7.

Money is also generated from the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. "The majority of the dollars come from those two initiatives," Baker said.

A group of people decides how to dole out the money. "It's a several-step process," Baker said. "(Instructors) apply in September. We have the principals and the CTC administration take a look at those. We then review it with our finance and allocation committee. And that goes to our executive committee, then to our board for final approval."

The foundation board is the one that makes the final approval in November. "It's very collaborative with not just our board, but also the schools, admin, staff, and faculty," said Baker.

Another collection of people weighs in. "We also rely on input from each program, which has an occupational advisory committee (OAC)," said Baker. "Each program has eight to 15 industry representatives that meet twice a year, and they help guide curriculum, help recommend any equipment that the program may need so that we are training students on what they're going to be using currently in the industry. All the equipment that we approve first is approved by the OAC."

The LCCTF's mission is simple. "Everything we do is to supplement what the school's already doing, and it's to enhance their curriculum, training experience, and their education," Baker said. "Just last year alone, we probably gave over $400,000 in equipment, scholarships, and financial assistance to students. We help provide students that are in need of (school) uniforms. We have tuition assistance programs for adult students. Our impact is pretty significant across all of the programs here and all of the campuses."

She provided an example of the organization's effectiveness. "We had a student that said, 'I was working at this welding shop, and we were using this laser welder that was purchased with one of our grants, and they were so impressed that I knew how to use that,'" Baker said. "We're hoping that we're giving our students a leg up when it comes to entering the workforce and finding those careers that will be life-changing for them."

For more information on the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation, go to http://www.lcctf.org.