Special education staffers coordinate with Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s nine sending school districts — Allentown, Catasauqua Area, East Penn, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh, Parkland, Salisbury Township, Southern Lehigh and Whitehall-Coplay — to ensure that students’ individualized education programs (IEPs) are on file with Student Services.
The supervisor of special education oversees LCTI’s Service Occupations Cluster (SOC). SOC programs are designed to help students transition from basic, entry-level skill development to more advanced technical training that will lead them directly to the workforce. Typically, these programs are well suited for students who learn best in small-group settings and require intense reading and math support to master skill competencies. Prior to enrollment, students undergo skills screenings to determine their readiness and interests. Results from the screenings are then provided to students’ IEP teams.
The Service Occupations Cluster programs include:
SOC Auto Specialization Technology
The Auto Specialization Technology program prepares students for entry-level positions in the automotive service industry. The curriculum provides students with opportunities to work on domestic and foreign cars and trucks, analyze and maintain automotive systems using diagnostic and repair equipment and explore auto shop management.
Teacher: John Sears • searsj@mylcti.org
SOC Building Trades Maintenance
The Building Trades Maintenance program introduces students to the carpentry, electrical, plumbing and masonry trades through class projects and guided practice. Work readiness and safety training are highly stressed in this program. After mastering basic competencies, students work on projects both at school and out in the community.
Teacher: Chad Werkheiser • werkheiserc@mylcti.org
SOC Food Services
The Food Services program prepares students for entry-level positions in the food service industry. The curriculum includes basic training in preparing and serving foods in a commercial kitchen and basic cooking techniques for restaurant and cafeteria services. Students are taught the knowledge and skills they need to successfully complete the OSHA Teen Workers Safety in Restaurants Assessment. Advanced students work in the LCTI restaurant, cafeteria and commercial dish room.
Theory subjects include measurements, understanding ingredients, sanitation and commercial equipment use. Currently, there is a strong demand for food service workers. Potential career pathways include working in restaurants and hospital, retirement community or school cafeterias.
Teacher: Alicia Levan • levana@mylcti.org
SOC Indoor/Outdoor Maintenance
Students in the Indoor/Outdoor Maintenance program prepare for entry-level employment in the custodial field and for positions as landscapers and groundskeeping laborers through hands-on training and skills preparation. Students are trained on a variety of equipment, including floor/carpet maintenance machines, mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers. Students are taught safety and health regulations, learn to plan their work, interact positively with others and work independently in LCTI’s greenhouse.
All students learn skills necessary to clean and maintain hard floors and carpeted areas. Students learn to use a variety of hand tools and power equipment, such as floor scrubbers, polishers and burnishers. Career objectives for students interested in indoor maintenance include janitors, housekeeping maid and other cleaning positions.
Teacher: Donna Lobach • lobachd@mylcti.org
SOC Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology
Students in the Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology program learn about the industry and master related skills while filling orders and delivering them at LCTI. They learn the safe use of material handling equipment, handheld scanners, inventory, stock control, order picking and packaging. In our fully functional distribution center, students are exposed to state-of-the-art equipment and job practice while developing the readiness skills they need to for success in the logistics technology field. Advanced students handle merchandise and pack orders for school districts throughout Lehigh County.
Teacher: Randy Eck • eckr@mylcti.org
BRIDGE
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s BRIDGE program provides opportunities for Service Occupations Cluster students to receive specialized instruction and gain invaluable work experience as they transition to adult life. LCTI is partnered with Lehigh Valley businesses where students work in guided environments while honing their technical skills. Participants spend time working at several businesses across multiple industries in order to build varied skill sets. Along with technical skills, students in this two-year program develop professional skills such as effective communication, critical thinking and team work. They also learn to complete job applications, build resumes and interview.
Teacher: Jeff Doll • dollj@mylcti.org
