Answer extracted from the Building PA Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
Which trade programs is TechCentro rolling out in Harrisburg?
TechCentro is launching with facilities maintenance as its first class, running 8 to 12 weeks Monday through Friday in partnership with Harrisburg Area Community College. The center plans to roll out plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, electromechanical, welding, and renewable energy solar training, though it's still recruiting instructors for the additional trades.
The Harrisburg location is kicking off its construction trades programs with facilities maintenance, a foundational skill set that opens doors across the building sector. This launch aligns with TechCentro's model established in Lancaster, where centers have successfully operated for over a decade.
A phased rollout with instructor recruitment underway
While facilities maintenance launches immediately, the center is in active recruitment for instructors in plumbing, HVAC, and other skilled trades. This phased approach allows TechCentro to build quality programs with experienced professionals who understand both the technical and problem-solving dimensions of construction work.
As Robert Torres explains in the episode, the center operates as a bilingual facility, serving the diverse population of Midtown Harrisburg. The breadth of trade offerings—from refrigeration and electromechanical work to cutting-edge renewable energy solar training—reflects both traditional demand and forward-looking workforce needs in the construction and building systems sector.
"I want people to understand how to problem solve, the critical thinking behind problem solving. That to me would be someone attractive to hire."
Robert Torres — Director, TechCentro Capital Region. Torres leads workforce development operations in Midtown Harrisburg, overseeing adult basic education, occupational training, and allied health careers. He is building TechCentro's skilled trades programs based on Lancaster's proven model, which has trained hundreds of workers across multiple trades over more than a decade.
Beyond just technical skills, Torres emphasizes that employers value workers who can think critically and adapt—qualities that flow throughout TechCentro's curriculum. The 8 to 12-week facilities maintenance program, with class sizes averaging about 10 students per session, creates an environment where personalized instruction and mentorship can take root. For learners exploring whether to enter a trade, this timeline is compressed enough to test commitment while substantial enough to build real competency.
For a deeper dive into how TechCentro structures its overall mission and serves populations from over 20 different countries, listen to the full conversation between Robert Torres and the Building PA team.
See also
How many TechCentro locations exist and where is the Harrisburg center modeled from?
There are six TechCentro locations total. The Harrisburg center is modeled after Lancaster's centers, which have been operating for more than 10 years and have established a proven track record of workforce development success.
What is TechCentro and what makes it unique as a workforce development program?
TechCentro is a bilingual workforce development center offering adult basic education, employment services, and occupational training in allied health and skilled trades, serving populations from over 20 different countries.
What role does mentorship play in shaping construction management careers according to industry experience?
Mentorship plays a critical role in career development, with experienced mentors pushing professionals out of their comfort zones while providing full support to accelerate growth in construction management.
Key takeaways
- Facilities maintenance is the flagship first program, running 8 to 12 weeks in partnership with Harrisburg Area Community College.
- Plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, electromechanical, and welding trades are in the pipeline, with instructor recruitment ongoing.
- Renewable energy solar training reflects TechCentro's commitment to forward-looking workforce preparation.
- Average class size of about 10 students per session enables personalized instruction and mentorship.