Delaware Tech President Mark T. Brainard, along with health students from William Penn High School, Bank of America Delaware President Chip Rossi, and Colonial School District Superintendent Jeffrey Menzer, April 8 celebrated the launch of its Patient Care Technician/Nursing Pathway program. /Photo courtesy of Delaware Tech
NEW CASTLE – William Penn High School students will soon have another career option, thanks to the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® Award.
Delaware Technical Community College is one of two institutions in Delaware to win a $200,000 award announced in 2023, in part to cover the gap between high school and college up to William Penn High School helped pave the way for a new pilot program that could fill the gap. 2nd year student at school.
For these students, the Patient Care Technician/Nursing Pathway program offers an industry-recognized credential and three free college credit courses, the equivalent of 12 college credits, or about a quarter, according to Delaware Tech. This may be an opportunity to complete your studies. Attend an associate degree program – all before graduating from high school. The awarded funds will also help Delaware Tech purchase laptops and textbooks for Pathway students.
“Students who complete the courses in this pathway program will not only graduate high school with 12 college credits, but will also be prepared to enter competitive academic programs in the health care field,” said Delaware Tech Chancellor. Mark T. Brainard said in a press release after the event. The program began on Monday, April 8th. “And we know that dual enrollment programs provide students with the incentives they need to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete their degrees.”
Educators say such pathways could also increase opportunities for job readiness and workforce development.
The Patient Care Technician/Nursing pathway is not the first healthcare-related pathway seen in William Penn classrooms. The high school already offers the Allied Health Pathway for students interested in various health care fields, which includes certification options such as electrocardiography and electrocardiography. Phlebotomy and emergency medical responders.
Allied health is the general medical pathway, while the new patient care technician/nursing pathway focuses on patient care and nursing assistant type programs. Several other high schools in the First State offer similar pathways, including Brandywine, Thomas McKean, Caesar Rodney, Concord, Woodbridge and Mount Pleasant.
“We are excited to join Delaware Tech in this innovative educational opportunity,” William Penn High School health teacher Amy Slama said in a press release. “Selected students are excited to get a head start on college credits and experience, network and connect with college professors and healthcare professionals, and gain insight into their future careers.”
Chip Rossi, president of Bank of America Delaware, echoed the program's benefits, saying the new route will meet an important need in the First State.
“This partnership between Delaware Tech and William Penn High School addresses an important need across the state of Delaware,” Chip Rossi, president of Bank of America Delaware, said in a press release. “By providing flexible funding and leadership training to Delaware Tech, we will not only support this innovative academic program, but also create career opportunities for many current and future young Delaware students. .”
