The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Business

May 15, 2006

Institute based in Meadville might set up shop in the area

SHARON — Located in Meadville, Precision Manufacturing Institute is a hard sell to most students in Mercer County who see a long drive ahead of them.

So what are the chances of PMI setting up shop locally?

Quite good actually.

The school is taking a serious look at creating a satellite campus by renting space at the 12,000-square-foot technology center at Sharon High School.

“We made a presentation to representatives of the Sharon School Board,’’ said Jerry Knight, PMI’s executive director. “There’s some concerns we need to work out and to handle a few logistical things. But I think this would be an excellent opportunity.’’

Built three years ago, the building is used in the daytime by Sharon High students. A concept being proposed by PMI is to use the building in the evenings for adult education and training.

“We have a nice facility there and there’s a local need,’’ said Superintendent Dr. Donna DeBonis.

While a final deal isn’t in hand, if all goes well PMI could be operating at the center by the fall, Ms. DeBonis said.

“Nobody is training an emerging workforce for machinists and blueprint reading in Mercer County,’’ said Angela Polumbo, manager of Mercer County CareerLink. “We need that kind of adult, skilled education.’’

CareerLink’s Sharon office regularly gets calls from local employers seeking workers with blueprint reading skills, Ms. Polumbo said. But those job skills are scarce locally.

“We just know from our experience here at CareerLink there are many employers who need those skilled, trained workers,’’ she said.

Larry Haynes, executive director of the local nonprofit Community Foundation, was enthusiastic about the thought of landing PMI.

“I’m 5 million percent behind this project,’’ Haynes said. “Meadville has been able to expand their manufacturing base because they have an educated workforce. This is a method for us to create future labor.’’

An advocate of bringing PMI to the area, Haynes said the Community Foundation may commit funding for the project if needed.

“I’m looking at this as a first step, as a real positive movement for vocational training in our county,’’ he said.



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