This file photo shows local, state, and federal elected officials and community leaders with WBACTC staff and students at the Wilkes Barre Area Career & Technology Center in 2025 to learn about the partnership between The Food Dignity Movement, Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board, and local farmers.
Bill O’Boyle File Photo | Times Leader
As their mission statement says, Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center (WBACTC) provides “a high quality, competency based education to its students who, upon graduation, are able to become responsible citizens, critical thinkers, and successful completers, in a world-wide economy and possess the skills to be life-long learners”.
WBACTC students graduate with more than just a degree —they graduate with a plan for a successful career. Students enter a program to support their chosen career path, and build the skills necessary for this path in the classroom. “At WBACTC, students learn from our instructors, who have years of experience in their trade,” said Frank Majikes, the principal of WBACTC.
Outside of the classroom, students also gain real-work experience. Many programs at WBACTC are dual-enrollment or cooperative-education, which allows students to earn college credits and gain valuable work experience before graduation. “When our students graduate from WBACTC, they are ready to enter the workforce, continue their education, or begin an apprenticeship. That’s what success looks like to us,” said Majikes.
Students have the opportunity to work with local employers through the cooperative-education programs and other local parthernships, allowing them to understand what employers expect and what it takes to be sucessful in their chosen field. They also build relationships with employers gain experience in their field, all while earning college credits.
One of the greatest advantages to attending WBACTC is earning valuable industry-recognized certifications before graduation. WBACTC offers 22 career and technical programs that allow students to earn a wide variety of certifications in their chosen field. The most common certifications include Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration (OSHA) and first aid/CPR certifications, but every program offers additional certifications specific to its career field. “Many of our graduates leave WBACTC with numerous certifications in their field that demonstrate the knowledge and technical skills they have developed during their time here,” said Majikes. “This helps to set them apart as they take the next step after graduation.”
For more information, go to www.wbactc.org/.
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.