PHOTO PROVIDED Centre County Commissioners are pictured with representatives of CPI after declaring February CTE Month.

BELLEFONTE — Students and educators shared their experiences in career and technical education at this week’s Centre County commissioners meeting, where February 2026 was declared Career and Technical Education Month.

Representatives from the Centre County Career and Technical Institute (CPI), South Hills School of Business and Technology and State High’s Career and Technical Center addressed the board, highlighting their hands-on programs and sharing how they are helping students chart clear paths to careers and further education.

CPI’s Vice President Jessica Martin, who was joined by President MaryAnn Volders, spoke about the school’s role in training the county’s future workforce. CPI serves students from the Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Bald Eagle Area school districts, as well as adult learners pursuing postsecondary certifications.

“We are so grateful you are recognizing the importance of career and technical education,” Martin said. “At CPI, we take pride in training our future workforce. We know CTE is the backbone of America.”

CPI showcased the success of its programs by bringing two exceptional students along to share their stories. Colson Serb, a Bald Eagle Area High School student studying collision repair, said he entered the program unsure of his career path but found direction through hands-on learning and mentorship from his instructor.

“When I first came to CPI, I had no clue what I wanted to do,” Serb said. “I ended up going into collision repair, and the instructor, Brian Hummel, opened up to me and gave me everything I needed to know… Once I heard him talk about how good the program was, what we would do and the certificates he could provide, I decided to take up the program. Now I’m doing stuff I had no clue even existed.”

Thanks to his studies, Serb will represent CPI in the SkillsUSA state competition in April, where he will compete in collision repair. He is one of 18 students who will be competing at the conference. After completing the program, he said he hopes to apply his knowledge in a career in insurance appraising.

Limver Villarreal-Marin, a post-secondary welding student, praised the school’s instructors and learning environment, describing the program as welcoming and supportive.

“They treated me just like family day one,” Villarreal-Marin said, adding that class is “something I look forward to every day.”

After CPI, he said he hopes to pursue a career in fabrication.

The commissioners also shared personal connections to career and technical education. Both Commissioners Mark Higgins and Amber Concepcion said their children took CTE courses, particularly at State High’s Career and Technical Center, and greatly benefited from the experience. Commissioner Concepcion, who serves on CPI’s occupational advisory board, added that CTE programs offer multiple pathways for local students.

“It provides tremendous opportunities for folks in our community,” Concepcion said. “It’s great for them to be able to have those programs that really connect their future with what they can do now.”

Commissioner Steve Dershem emphasized the long-term value of hands-on skills, noting they are less likely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence.

“Artificial intelligence can’t take a lot of these hard skills anyway,” he said. “You know that these are things people are going to need.”

County officials noted that Centre County government has supported CTE programs through scholarships and hiring partnerships, particularly in fields related to public safety and emergency services.

“We’ve given away tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, and we’d actually love to award more,” said Commissioner Mark Higgins, who encouraged eligible students to apply.

To qualify, applicants must live in Centre County and work for an emergency response organization.

The commissioners said they hope to continue supporting career and technical education across the county, including hinting at potential future investments at CPI’s public safety training site.