Training Today, Careers Tomorrow

• Dental Assistant Diploma Program - next session starts January 5, 2026
• https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/dental-assistant/

⏳ 97 days until the Dental Assistant program starts!

• Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) Certification Program - the next session starts January 31, 2026
• https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/part-time-programs-testing-and-certifications/expanded-function-dental-assistant/

⏳ 123 days until the EFDA program starts!

• Medical Assistant Diploma Program - hybrid program starts February 23, 2026
• https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/medical-assistant/

⏳ 146 days until the MA hybrid program starts!

• Phlebotomy Certificate Program - Spring session starts March 19, 2026
• https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/part-time-programs-testing-and-certifications/phlebotomy/

⏳ 170 days until the spring Phlebotomy program starts!

• Electrical Trades (typically starts in early September). https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/electrical-trades/
• HVAC (typically starts in early September). https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-plumbing/
• Intergenerational (typically starts late August). https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/intergenerational-programs/
• Practical Nursing full-time (typically starts late August) & part-time (typically starts in September). https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/practical-nursing/
• Welding (typically starts late August). https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/welding/

Just a reminder, your clearances have to be within one year of the program start date!

Contact our Admissions & Outreach Specialist to schedule a tour and/or work on your application documents!

814-505-1276 (call)

814-201-1508 (call or text)

harleigh.cole@altoonactc.edu

Our programs work hard to train and prepare for certification testing. Certifications opportunities are listed below per program!

Individuals who meet the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act eligibility requirements may participate in approved career training. Many of our programs are approved for WIOA funding! For more information, interested individuals should call their local CareerLink office.

Below are the WIOA approved programs at the GACTC for 2025-2026:

• Automotive/Diesel Technology
• Practical Nursing - Full-Time
• Carpentry/Construction
• Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology
• Powersports & Equipment Technology
• Precision Machining
• Electrical Trades
• Welding with Print Reading
• HVAC with Related Plumbing & Electrical

The GACTC is proud to announce the recent acquisition of an e Table—a state-of-the-art virtual dissection tool that provides students with an advanced, interactive learning experience in human anatomy and physiology.

To read more, please click the button below!

Our Practical Nursing Department is excited to announce a significant upgrade to one of our Simulation (SIM) Rooms! These simulation areas are essential for providing students with realistic, hands-on clinical training in a controlled environment. The recent enhancements include the installation of advanced cameras and audio equipment, creating a more immersive and interactive learning experience. This technology not only improves real-time communication between instructors and students during lab sessions, but also allows for high-quality recording of simulations. These recordings can then be used for debriefing, performance review, and class discussions, enhancing student learning by reinforcing techniques, decision-making skills, and clinical judgment.

On June 17, 2025, the GACTC celebrated the accomplishments of 70 adult students that successfully completed several postsecondary career-training diploma programs with a ceremony at the Altoona Area High School auditorium. Graduates completed training in the following diploma programs:

• Automotive/Diesel Technology
• Automotive Technology
• Cabinetmaking/Finished Carpentry
• Carpentry/Construction
• Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology
• Culinary Arts
• Dental Assistant
• Electrical Trades
• Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) with Related Plumbing & Electrical
• Medical Assistant
• Welding with Print Reading

Students had the opportunity to gain industry-valued certifications as part of these career-training programs. Graduates received additional recognition of their efforts and achievements from local and regional employers. The GACTC is appreciative of the generosity of our industry partners for their contributions to our programs and graduates!

The GACTC graduated 30 students from the full-time Practical Nursing program on August 14, 2025. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 12th and commencement, held on August 14th, at the Altoona Area High School.

The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing faculty.

The commencement ceremony on August 14th honored the practical nursing students through conferral of diplomas, awards, and honors. The evening included remarks from Rebecca Kelly, MSN, RN, and Nicole Zernick, Executive Director of the GACTC, recital of the nurse’s pledge, and a lamp lighting. A class message was provided by the class president, De’Audric Harris. Class valedictorian is Casey Reese. Recognition of outstanding student achievement were provided and thank you to the sponsors of the awards given!

To read more about our graduations, please click the buttons below.

Date: Wednesday October 15, 2025

Time: 10am-2pm

Location: Jaffa Shrine - 2200 Broad Ave. Altoona, PA 16601

PHEAA is giving away $2,500 no essay scholarships through its PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan Programs! The scholarship sweepstakes is for college students, graduate students, and their parents for the 2025-26 academic year who opt in to receive communications from PHEAA between June 5 and December 15, 2025. Plus, by opting in, students and families can get tips on planning and paying for college. PA Forward's scholarship is open to PA residents only; Keystone’s scholarship is open to DE, MD, NJ, OH, VA, and WV residents. Twelve lucky winners will be selected for each scholarship. Winners will be announced in August and December of this year. To enter the PA Forward scholarship sweepstakes, visit pheaa.org/ss, or visit keystonestudentloans.org/ss to enter the Keystone scholarship sweepstakes.

Please contact our Financial Aid Officer Dana Stoy with any financial aid questions! Her office number is 814-505-1257 and her email is dana.stoy@altoonactc.edu.

The GACTC is proud to announce that DorieSue Walker, a recent graduate of the Medical Assistant Diploma program, has been awarded the Maxine Williams Scholarship, a national honor recognizing outstanding medical assisting students. Throughout her time in the program, Walker distinguished herself through academic excellence, a genuine passion for helping others, and perseverance. Her recognition on the national stage reflects her hard work and the bright future she has in the medical assisting profession.

To read more about the award or to learn more about our Medical Assistant diploma program, please visit the GACTC's webpage or click the buttons below.

Visit our website linked below to see the variety of online programs that are offered through Ed2Go!

Our postsecondary Dental Assistant students are suiting up in full PPE and practicing how to properly mount dental X-rays. They also had the opportunity to use the Anatomage table for hands-on anatomy practice. These real-world skills are essential to keeping patients safe and ensuring accurate dental care. We're proud of the hard work and dedication our students bring to classrooms, labs, and shops every day!

Our Adult Medical Assisting students are putting their skills into action! Recently, they practiced a variety of urinalysis lab tests, including performing urine pregnancy testing, using transfer devices, and reading the results both manually and electronically. Hands-on experiences like these prepare our students for real-world clinical settings and showcase the critical role medical assistants play in patient care. We’re proud of their hard work as they build the skills needed for a rewarding healthcare career!

Our adult phlebotomy students are learning the foundations of safe patient care by practicing proper hand hygiene and learning the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). These essential skills are key to preventing infection and protecting both patients and healthcare workers. Great work, future healthcare heroes!

Our Practical Nursing students are kicking off the year with energy and enthusiasm! They’ve already jumped into hands-on training, learning critical skills that will lay the foundation for their future in healthcare. This week they suited up in full personal protective equipment (PPE), gaining firsthand experience in how to stay safe and protect others in clinical environments. They also began practicing essential techniques for patient care, including safe lifts and transfers—working together to build both skill and confidence. It's inspiring to see their teamwork, dedication, and passion for nursing already shining through. The journey has just begun, and we can’t wait to see all they accomplish!

Are you interested in purchasing GACTC apparel? The GACTC has worked with BSN Sports to set up an online apparel store. Orders can be placed and paid for at any time throughout the school year directly on the website. There are a variety of brands to choose from at different price points. There is no limited quality and orders are shipped directly to your home address. Happy shopping!