For many high school students, planning their career path is an exciting opportunity and often comes with big questions. “If I want to go from a community college to a four-year institution, will my credits transfer?” “Will my degree translate to a rewarding career?” “How do I manage the cost of a degree?”
In Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (LCTI) helps students replace uncertainty with confidence. Through partnerships with Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and Commonwealth University (CU), they’ve built the “perfect pipeline” that gives students a clear, seamless pathway from high school to a meaningful career.
Effective Partnerships Empowers Educational Opportunities
LCTI offers 45 hands-on programs that immerse students in real-world learning. Through job shadows, internships, and co-ops, students gain firsthand experience of a typical workday. By graduation, they’ve already built professional skills, earned workplace exposure, and are career-ready.
Students in 20 eligible LCTI programs can also jumpstart their college journey by earning up to 30 credits toward a 61-credit associate degree at LCCC. From there, graduates can seamlessly transfer 60 credits into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Leadership at Commonwealth University. On average, students transfer 81 credits, saving approximately $22,000, according to Dr. Ann Bieber, President of LCCC.
“The A.A.S. degree is designed for Career and Technical Education students who have successfully completed their high school program and received an accreditation, license, certification or passed a national skills credential in a designated technical field (i.e., NOCTI, SkillsUSA),” says Dr. Ann Bieber. “Graduates of LCTI receiving 30 college credits for industry credentials can save over $5,100 on their A.A.S. degree.”
Meeting Student Needs with Opportunity and Support
LCTI serves a wide rural region of Pennsylvania, drawing students from nine different schools. Learners can choose to split their time between their local high school and LCTI or spend the full day immersed in technical education. This flexibility helps every student find the right fit.
LCTI is committed to ensuring all students, regardless of their background, have access to opportunity. The program is offered at no cost, removing financial barriers for students who may face economic challenges. The school also provides strong support for English learners and other diverse student populations, making sure everyone has a chance to succeed.
Equally important, LCTI partners with families and the broader community to highlight the value of CTE. Through parent outreach and education initiatives, families learn how credentials, certifications, and degrees can open doors to rewarding careers. Community engagement, such as raising awareness about the benefits of NOCTI certifications, further reinforces the powerful role CTE plays in preparing students for their future.
NOCTI Certifications Boost Recognition of Student Achievements and Strengthen Community Connections
For more than 20 years, LCTI has partnered with NOCTI to provide assessments that recognize student accomplishments and deliver value to the broader community. These assessments validate not only students’ technical expertise, but also the communication and professionalism needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Credentialing exams are a key requirement for advancing in the Applied Technical Studies (ATS) program. For those who enter the workforce directly, NOCTI credentials can give graduates a powerful advantage, as local employers actively seek certified candidates.
According to Dr. Lisa Greenawalt, Executive Director at LCTI, the benefits are two-fold:
“It’s a method for students to measure their skillset and their abilities against a national audience. They can measure their success and say ‘hey, I did really well on this. This is what I did on a national scale.’ And, for the employers who come in and serve as industry proctors, it really allows them to dig into what students are learning and what students are capable of. It allows them to recruit talented future leaders within their own industry, it gives them a leg up.”
Dr. Greenawalt also emphasizes the program-wide impact of the NOCTI results. “We use assessment results to measure not just how well students are doing, but also as a measure of the program achievement. What can we improve? How can we make this better for students? It’s helped us make informed curriculum and instructional decisions.”
Coordinating assessments for 600 to 800 students each year requires time and resources, but Dr. Greenawalt is clear: the effort is worth it.
“You have to look at the big picture, at the extended benefits of connecting students with business partners, the extended outcomes of connecting students to applied technical studies, an associate degree, and giving them a tremendous, advanced step—they’re getting credit for that whole first year of their associate’s degree. It’s awesome!”
LCTI Invests in What Matters: Building a Perfect Talent Pipeline
CTE assessments require significant time, resources, and commitment. The results make the investment the obvious right choice for Dr. Greenwalt and her team.
“For me, NOCTI is a good decision for students even though we’re expending valuable resources and time and material and finances to make that happen,” says Dr. Lisa Greenawalt. “It is a badge of honor for many of our students to be able to do that. Parents celebrate it, students celebrate it, we celebrate it.”
And the results speak for themselves! Dr. Greenawalt proudly points to graduates who have excelled in diverse fields; one alum recently earned her associate degree and is already inspiring the next generation by writing books introducing young children to the trades and the value of careers like plumbing. Others have gone on to become ER doctors, trainers, skilled tradespeople, and more.
“We’re always looking at what we can do and how we can improve, to help our students stand out in the employment arena,” says Dr. Greenawalt. “For me, that’s my life’s passion: to have students ready for whatever that next step is. And if we always make decisions around what is best for students, I think we tend to make the right decisions.”
Unlock the Value of NOCTI Assessments for Your Students and Program
NOCTI believes in putting students first while showcasing the true impact of a CTE program. NOCTI assessments deliver quantifiable, actionable results that demonstrate value to students, parents, local employers, and the community.
Developed through a rigorous standardized process with input from subject matter experts, NOCTI assessments measure the skills that matter most—those aligned with industry standards. The detailed results highlight both student achievement and program strengths, while also identifying areas for growth.
For students, the credentials represent more than a score; they are a source of pride and a clear stepping stone into the workforce. NOCTI assessments help students transition from the classroom to lifelong careers by validating their technical skills, professionalism, and career readiness.
Want to see how NOCTI can add value to your program? Contact us today to learn more!