PITTSBURGH — A local technical college that went under after years of financial struggles, could be coming back to life under a new name and new leadership.
Nearly two dozen dedicated, former PTC faculty and staff are rallying to try to revive the school as a new college. They tell me a technical college is critical to train our local workforce.
This group consists of nearly two dozen former department chairs, instructors and staff members from PTC. They’re crafting a business plan, meeting with key stakeholders and looking for investors to fund their endeavor.
PTC announced it was closing in June; but, for about a year before that, 11 Investigates reported on allegations of financial misconduct against the college’s former President and CEO and a state Attorney General’s Office investigation.
The technical college served as a pipeline to essential jobs in Pittsburgh and throughout Western PA, with hands-on training and small class sizes. This group hopes to maintain those aspects.
NAI Burns Scalo is the new broker and property manager of the former campus, which sits on nearly 300 acres off of McKee Road in Oakdale. The President of the real estate firm says the property could be reimaged in many ways including, but not limited to: another educational facility, mixed-use or industrial development, or as a commercial hub.
“Our goal is to leverage the full potential of the property and create maximum value, reintroducing the property as a sustainable and impactful addition to the community,” Brian Walker, the President of NAI Burns Scalo said.
This group of former PTC employees say the need for a technical college is even greater with the closure of Triangle Tech after 80 years in the community.
They’ve created an email, BeApart@SaveOurCollege.com, if you’re interested in learning more.
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