Peters Township High School - WACTC (Western Area Career & Technology Center

Students who are eager to explore technical education while completing their high school requirements at Peters Township High School may apply to attend Western Area Career and Technology Center (WACTC) in grades 10 - 12. At WACTC, students gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and real-world skills that prepare them for high-demand careers. Program offerings and descriptions are outlined below. For more information, please visit the Western Area's website.

WACTC Secondary Education Programs

The Western Area Career & Technology Center (WACTC) application is now available online for all first-year students. The application is available online. Students and families can complete the applicaiton by clicking the button below.

All applications are due at the close of scheduling on March 12, 2026.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Kottner (KottnerJ@pt-sd.org) in the Counseling Office.

26-27 WACTC Application

AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS

The three-year Automotive Mechanics program is for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This program will prepare students for employment in the auto repair industry working with parts, tune-ups, brakes, transmissions, electrical and fuel systems. The program will also assist in the diagnosis and repair of various drivability conditions and routine vehicle maintenance.

AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

This three-year course focuses on all aspects of industrial and commercial machines and robotics and is designed to prepare students for work in industry or continued education in engineering-related fields. The program includes design activities and instruction in operation, set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of machines and systems found in commercial, packaging, medical, and food production facilities where high tech equipment is used. Curriculum and instruction include the areas of Electricity, Electronics, Sensor Technology, Machine Operations and Maintenance, Industrial Electronics, Computer Machine Controls, Machine Repair, Motors and Control Applied Physics, Fluid Power, Mechanical Components, Schematic Interpretation and Quality Control. Students are trained on a wide variety of tools for preventative maintenance and construction of equipment. Individuals entering this career should possess good mechanical aptitude, eye-hand coordination, math skills, manual dexterity, critical thinking skills, and the ability to work as a team member.

CARPENTRY

This three-year program prepares 10th, 11th, and 12th graders for all phases of residential carpentry. The course is taught in sequence with the construction of a house. Site layout, footer layout and forming, rough framing, exterior finish and roofing, insulation, drywall, and interior finish are covered. Each unit is taught in conjunction with related safety, estimating, and blueprint reading. Those who complete the course acquire skills needed to obtain employment as a carpenter.

COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY

Through theory and related hands-on classroom instruction, students in this program will learn the latest techniques in five major topics. Instruction utilizes the I-Car curriculum, and numerous techniques and technologies are used to keep abreast of current industry trends and standards. Martin Senour Paint Systems are used throughout with an emphasis on waterborne systems.

COSMETOLOGY

Cosmetology is a three-year course for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students. The course will be operated by the Western ACTC under the regulations of the State Board of Cosmetology. Students with regular attendance will receive the required 1250 hours of training needed to take the State Board exams for licensing.

CULINARY ARTS & BAKING

Instruction includes theory and applications related to food preparation, menu and banquet planning, food and beverage purchasing, quality control, cost analysis, safety, and sanitation. Students learn the safe and proper use of hand and power tools of the industry. Program components include Commercial Baking, Catering, Institutional Foods, Meat Cutting, Cooking Methods, Nutrition, Safety, and Sanitation. Program completion qualifies students for positions in the food service industry or advanced study at a culinary institute or college. A Hospitality component will complement this three-year program, which will include instruction and practical experiences in lodging management, office operation, leadership and management, marketing, food and beverage service, and operation of the physical plant.

EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

This course provides three years of classroom and practical experience for entrance in the field of public safety via in-depth training to perform duties as a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, and other public safety related careers. The application of math, English, communications, science, and physics, is demonstrated throughout the course. Students receive training in social and psychological skills, vehicle and equipment operations, the judicial system, pre- hospital emergency medical crew, fire prevention and control, hazardous materials, and emergency management.

ELECTRICAL OCCUPATIONS

10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are prepared for employment in the fields of residential, commercial, and industrial wiring, installation, and maintenance of equipment including electrical motors, transformers, control systems, communications systems, wired fiber optics, and related equipment. Those who complete the three-year course receive West Penn Wire CDT (fiber optics) certification.

HEALTH OCCUPATIONS

This course prepares students for careers in the health field. Students are provided clinical and shadowing experiences in longterm care facilities and doctors’ offices to enhance the learning experience and assist in the transition to employment. Core curriculum includes an Overview of Health Careers, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Clinical Laboratory, Procedures, Universal Precautions, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care, and Communication Skills. Students are also provided instruction to qualify them for certification in First Aid, CPR and CNA.

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

Heating Air Conditioning is a three-year program that prepares 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students for employment to assist the mechanic in the servicing and installation of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems. Students are also prepared for the EPA certification exam for safe refrigerant handling.

MACHINE TOOL TECHNOLOGY

This three-year course provides 10th, 11th, and 12th graders the skills needed for entry into the machining field through basic hands-on machining practice on lathes, milling machines and grinders. Topics include set-up, tool selection, and methods used on various materials such as steel, aluminum, and brass. Computer-part programming and machine operation are also included in the training.

MASONRY

This three-year instructional program prepares students in brick, block, stone, concrete, tuck pointing, and artificial stone construction. Students learn the types and sizes of masonry materials, various applications for materials, blueprint reading, masonry symbols, use of measuring instruments, leveling instruments, layout and design, bonds, hand tools, masonry equipment, mortar mixing, concrete mixing, estimation, practical problems in mathematics, preparation of material lists, masonry saw, tile saw, 14” dry cut saw, hammer drill, demolition, fireplaces, chimneys, barbecues fireplaces, steps, walls, scaffold construction, etc.

NETWORKING

This three-year program provides 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with meaningful training toward a career and/or further study in the rapidly expanding occupational area through gainful, positive experiences whether or not they are coming from districts having their own networking programs. This program provides information and hands-on activity leading to certifications such as Cisco, Microsoft Certified Engineer, A+ and others. Networking topics include Software, Hardware, Operating Systems, Installation, and Solutions.

REHABILITATION AIDE/SPORTS MEDICINE

This three-year program offers students the career opportunity to pursue jobs in the fields of Personal Trainer, Coach, Rehabilitation Aide, Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist Assistant. This program will teach key components of rehabilitation and exercise training through a foundation of human sciences and hands on lab training. Students will receive certifications in; OSHA OCC Safety & Health Administration, ACSM Personal Training, AMCA Physical Therapy Aide, First Aide, CPR AED certification. Other certifications that will be available are; Bloodborne Pathogens, OSHA 10, Mandate Reporting training concussion training.

WELDING

This course prepares students in oxy-fuel, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc, flux core welding, carbon arc, plasma cutting, manual and radiograph cutting, and oxy-fuel brazing processes. 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students learn the use of measuring instruments, hand tools, portable grinders, metallurgy, blueprint reading, electrical principles, layout and design, fabrication, practical problems in math, preparation of material lists, cost estimating, and quality assurance methods. Successful students will be given the opportunity to earn AWS certifications.

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