High School Academics
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Get hands-on experience with a pre-apprenticeship!
Insight PA Cyber Charter School (ISPA) offers eligible high school students an amazing opportunity to get ahead with pre-apprenticeship programs. Each program requires an in-person component where students gain workplace skills and career training.
Contact Barry King, ISPA CTE Administrator (bking@k12.com) or Tracy Hockenberry, ISPA CTE Coordinator (thockenberry@insightpa.org) for more information.
FALL AND SPRING
ISPA students with a pre-apprenticeship in the construction trades (electrical, HVAC, carpentry, sheet metal, and plumbing) can participate. Students receive 84 hours of instruction from ABC apprenticeship instructors in the areas of hand tools, power tools, blueprint reading, materials handling, and basic rigging. ABC uses curriculum from the National Center for Construction, Education, and Research (NCCER) and aligns to the ABC apprenticeship program, which is approved by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Locations:
Manhiem Training Center
(serving students in Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Berks and Chester Counties)Orleans Technical College
(serving students in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia)TBD: Western PA, Gibsonia
(serving students in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler)
FALL SEMESTER/FULL YEAR (ONE PERIOD PER DAY)
The Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics Training (SMART) pre-apprenticeship consists of five micro-certification courses (40 hours each, 200 hours total). The curriculum was developed by Carnegie Robotics Academy, and each student will receive a VEX robot. Students will follow this sequence.
- Electrical Foundations
- Software Foundations
- Mechanical Foundations
- Fabrication Foundations
- Robotics Integration
Looking for more ways to get ahead? Check out ISPA's Programming and Gaming pathway.
SEMESTER COURSE (FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS) 80 HOURS
Designed by the Manufacturing Institute, this program is delivered by Pennsylvania College of Technology. Students can earn a Manufacturing Level 1 Certification through a virtual curriculum developed by Tooling University. Students attend Penn College in Williamsport, PA, for two or three days of in-person labs and testing.
CVS Pharmacy Technician Pre-Apprenticeship
ONGOING ENROLLMENT
To participate, students must be enrolled in ISPA's Pharmacy Technician course. This program gives students the opportunity to work at a local CVS Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician assistant or retail associate. Based on individual store needs, this work experience may be paid or volunteer.
Looking for more ways to get ahead? Check out ISPA's Pharmacy Technician pathway.
Chester County Technical College High School
FALL AND SPRING
Students in grades 9–12 can choose from several programs. All are held at one of three Chester County Technical College High School (CCTCHS) campuses: Pickering, Brandywine, and Pennock's Bridge. Students may be scheduled for an AM or PM session. CCTCHS will determine scheduling and site location and students will be responsible for their own transportation.
(Chester, Delaware, Berks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks Counties)
- Automotive Technology
- Digital Media/Sound
- Engineering and Robotics
- HVAC and Refrigeration
- Welding
- GIS/Data
- Collision Repair
- Veterinary Science
Costs:
Students will incur any program costs. This could include uniforms, tools, personal protective equipment, and fees. ISPA will pay the tuition for the program.
Work Experience Course
FALL AND SPRING
This course allows students at least 16 years of age to receive .5 high school credit while gaining valuable, on-the-job skills through paid work or formal volunteer experience. The work experience course is a cooperative arrangement between school representatives, students, their parents, and employers.
Looking for more ways to get ahead? Check out ISPA's career and college prep offerings.
