When students walk through the doors at Johnson College's CAN DO Training Center in Hazleton, they will experience real world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment, said Dr. Katie Leonard.
Leonard, president and CEO of the college, was joined by partners and local representatives in Hazleton on Wednesday, Feb. 1, to announce the college’s first-ever satellite campus, the CAN DO Training Center.
An economic development organization, Greater Hazleton CAN DO, is Johnson’s partner at the campus. President and CEO Joe Lettiere said it’s been a decades-long goal of the organization to bring a technical college to the Hazleton area.
“The programs that Johnson College plans to offer here truly move the needle for members of our community through access to future careers that provide a safe, family sustaining wages," he said.
The campus will offer three academic certificate programs in Welding Technology, Industrial Technology and Building and Property Maintenance Technology. Students will be able to attend a two-year associate in applied science degree program for Electrical Construction Technology. Continuing education certificate courses will be offered in various fields including medical assistants, computer support and security specialists and in the future, CDL driver training.
Set to open in August, Johnson is aiming to enroll 30 students at the campus and hire four full-time staff and faculty members. Students will have access to Johnson’s financial aid staff, the registrar and academic advisors.
Lettiere said CAN DO purchased the property in the Humboldt Industrial Park at the end of January. It housed the former McCann School of Business The location provides students direct access to over 60 industries employing over 10,000 people, he added.
The two-year technical college, based in Scranton, was founded by Orlando S. Johnson. He opened the school more than 100 years ago with the goal to provide access to learning a useful art or trade to benefit the region and fuel the local economy, said Leonard.
“We carry his mission forward today as we evolve our programs to meet industry demand and expand our mission to the Hazleton region," she said.
Interested students can visit johnson.edu/hazleton to explore the academic programs.
