Harrisburg Area Community College has been awarded a Tech Prep grant in the amount of $366,480 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Career and Technical Education. The grant is to be used for development and implementation of programs designed to prepare students in south central Pennsylvania with the technical skills that are in demand in today's workforce.

Tech Prep is a nationwide initiative that enables students to earn college credits while still in high school, then attend community college for advanced training and certifications that qualify them for skilled employment.

Through the South Central Pennsylvania Team Tech Prep Consortium, HACC continues to develop programs of study that equip students to move quickly into the workforce with high-level technical and academic skills. Some of the current programs of study include: computer information technology, computer networking technology, computer/maintenance/repair, metalworking and diesel engine mechanics.

The other members of the Consortium are Adams County Tech Prep Consortium, Carlisle Area School District's Center for Careers and Technology, Cumberland-Perry Area Vocational-Technical School, Franklin County Tech Prep Consortium, Lebanon County Career and Technology Center and York County School of Technology.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for computer specialists will grow by 1.5 million openings over the next seven years. In Pennsylvania, alone, there are over 10,000 technical positions currently available.