BUCKHANNON — Fred W. Eberle Technical Center is gearing up for its annual Tech or Treat event, set to take place this Thursday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. FETC is located at 208 Morton Avenue in Buckhannon.
This much-anticipated community celebration is a great way for families to enjoy Halloween festivities while exploring the various educational programs offered by the center. The event will feature fun activities like games, candy giveaways, face painting, a raffle for a hunting blind and cornhole boards, an escape room, and a haunted house.
As Hannah Snyder, an FETC staff member and English instructor, shared, “It’s a huge event. Each of the shops sets up games for the kids, and they give out candy. There’s a lot to it.”
Fred W. Eberle is not just a place for Halloween fun, though.
The school plays a crucial role in preparing students for careers in technical fields. The center recently opened applications for its Commercial Driving (CDL) program, offering both daytime and evening options. The next CDL class will begin in December, with a few seats still available for morning sessions.
“This is a great opportunity for students looking to enter the workforce quickly,” said Dodi Slaughter, Coordinator of Student Services, adding that students gain essential skills to start working immediately after completing the course.
The 2023-2024 school year was a successful one for Fred W. Eberle students, with 81% of program completers achieving the Workforce Entry Level score on the NOCTI (National Occupational Testing Institute) assessment. Slaughter explained that the NOCTI exam is comprehensive, covering everything students learn in their programs.
“Scoring well on the NOCTI means our students are ready for entry-level jobs in their fields, and that’s something we’re really proud of,” he said.
In addition to classroom success, students gained valuable hands-on experience, logging over 31,000 hours of work-based learning. These experiences ranged from internships to real-world projects in fields such as cosmetology, automotive work and nursing.
“Our students earned more than $35,000 in wages through their work-based learning opportunities,” Slaughter noted.
Fred W. Eberle students also made a strong showing at the National SkillsUSA contest in Atlanta, Georgia. One student placed third in the nation, with three others finishing in the top 10. Snyder said that’s also something to be proud of.
“It really shows how hard our students work and the support they receive here,” she said.
Looking ahead, Fred W. Eberle is excited about the new Sports Medicine program, which will have its first group of completers in May 2025.
“The students are really enthusiastic,” Slaughter shared. “Many of them are planning to pursue athletic training or physical therapy after graduation.”
With a variety of programs, work-based learning opportunities, and fun community events like Tech or Treat, Fred W. Eberle Technical Center continues to be a vital asset to Upshur, Lewis and Barbour counties.
As Slaughter put it, “It’s a great place to work, and an even better place for students to learn.”
