Steel Center for Career and Technical Education celebrated the opening of its new facility Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and county officials, marking a $36 million investment in career training for students from 11 area high schools.
The new facility houses a cafe (Steel Cafe), bakery (Steel Center Bakery), art studio (Creative Canvas), convenience store (Steel Curtain Quick Stop), salon (Cutting Edge Salon), and animal care clinic, all of which will remain open after hours so students can practice their trades by serving the public.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, of McKeesport, joined Pennsylvania Department of Education representative Judd Pittman, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano at the event.
“When we invest in new facilities, we change the way students learn, teachers teach, and how that creates better outcomes,” Pisciottano said. “It’s not just a $36 million expenditure; it’s an investment in our community.”
Steel Center’s Joint Operating Committee President David Schaap said the school now serves more than 1,000 students, up from 600 just a decade ago. The program is built on the same academic standards as a traditional classroom, he said, but paired with hands-on career and technical training.
“The success of the project will be measured not by what we have built over the past few years, but by what will be forged inside this new facility in the years to come,” Schaap said.
Bethel Park student Milo Buchner attends Steel Center and was one of the Cyber Security program’s presenters. He said the expanded facility will make the school day more enjoyable.
“My favorite thing about Steel Center is I get more time to do everything that needs to be done in one sitting,” Buchner said.
Contact Us: