Registered Manufacturing Applied Technologies Program
Pre-Apprenticeship Offering for PCD Participating Schools
2026-2027 Schedule
Resources, Info, and FAQs
Capital Region Pre-Apprenticeship: Registered Manufacturing Applied Technologies
As PCD receives additional questions that we feel are relevant for the entire group, we will publish them here.
Resources/Information:
- Application Packet (hard copy) - for review/overview.
- We ask that all applicants please use the online application.
- Link to downloadable Canva flyer for school distribution (permission requests granted for PCD participating schools)
- YouTube Video - What is Pre-apprenticeship?
FAQs
- How many students will be accepted?
- 20 students will be selected from applications received by the deadline: Friday, October 9, 2026 COB
- What time do sessions run?
- Sessions run from 9am to 2pm on (roughly) alternating Thursdays. Pennsylvania registered pre-apprenticeships are hours-based, so all hours are required for completion and eligibility for certification
- Can Juniors Apply?
- Yes. This offering is open to both high school Junior and Seniors
- Who is running the program?
- The program is being offered from the Manufacturers Association. They have obtained grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and have partnered with PCD to provide this offering at no cost for students.
- Will someone be there in a supervisory role with all clearances?
- Yes. Important to note that this is not a "drop off" program. Students cannot drive to / attend the sessions un-chaperoned. That chaperone must be a school staff member, or can be a parent/guardian if that is permissible by your school district (a letter from school administration is required).
- How will this be scored?
- There is a course syllabus that will be released prior to the start of the sessions. Students will be provided a course key after acceptance into the program to access the Moodle online learning platform.
- What role will schools need to play in monitoring students if they are taking part in the college option?
- Schools
About the College Course Option:
This option is in development, but we have secured MOUs with both HACC and Shippensburg University.
This will include a self-guided Moodle-based course that will be required to be supervised by school personnel to assure benchmarks are progressing appropriately. The full hybrid course will fulfill a 120 hour requirement for credits. PCD will provide the final determination for awarding credits, based on attendance, completed course materials, and recommendations, as captured in the system and supported by the trainers.
Access to the Moodle course will be available prior to the first in-class session for students accepted into the program.
- Is there a cost for college credits?
- No. There will not be an added cost for both/either the (2) HACC credits, and the (3) Shippensburg University credits.
- What course/path are credits applied to?
- HACC: We are awaiting finalization, but currently, the 2 credits will be applied to the Mechatronics discipline (Course ID: IA101 - Intro to Mechatronics).
- Shippensburg University: Any undergraduate degree that requires elective credits. Additional notes: Student must enroll in an undergraduate degree program at the University in the fall or spring semester after completing the course. Only credits, not grades, will appear on the University transcript for these courses. These credits will not be used to calculate the student’s University grade point average. NOTE: PCD has secured this MOU with the TAPA (Transition Accommodated Pre-Apprenticeship), and is awaiting final approvals from PASSHE, and permission to include this offering.
Additional Info:
Draft Course Syllabus (learning outcomes are set, some course materials are subject to change)
Draft Parent Guide (see above)