Tec Centro Lebanon graduates 40+ students, boosting local workforce

Graduates, families, partners, and local leaders gathered at Tec Centro Lebanon on Wednesday, Dec. 17, for a winter graduation ceremony honoring adult learners who completed workforce training programs over the past six months.

The ceremony, held at Tec Centro Lebanon’s home at the WEPA Empowerment Center, 9 S. 9th St., recognized more than 40 graduates from the nurse’s aide, office professionals, CDL class A, and dental assisting programs, as well as the center’s first-ever HiSET graduate.

“Each of our graduates demonstrated determination, courage, and commitment, often while balancing work, family responsibilities, and significant challenges,” Kay Litman, executive director of Tec Centro Lebanon, said in a press release. “Their success is a powerful reminder of why Tec Centro exists. Every certificate represents a life changed, a family strengthened, and a community made more resilient.”

With industries across Central Pennsylvania facing sustained workforce shortages, the release says, Tec Centro Lebanon provides a direct path to high-demand careers “by removing barriers through no-cost training, bilingual support services, and community-centered education.”

Graduates are entering the workforce equipped with industry-recognized credentials, employer partnerships, and the confidence to build sustainable careers, the release says.

Carlos Graupera, CEO of the Tec Centro Workforce Network, emphasized the broader impact of the achievement.

“This graduation reflects the mission at the heart of the Tec Centro model: expanding economic mobility by providing accessible pathways to family-sustaining employment,” he said in a statement. “When individuals succeed, our entire region thrives. We are proud of these graduates and excited for the futures they are building.”

The ceremony also highlighted the community partnerships that support Tec Centro Lebanon, including collaborations with employers, training providers, civic leaders, and local organizations that make equitable workforce development possible, the release says. State Rep. John Schlegel, U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser’s office, Union Community Care, Optimist CDL Coaching School, and Workforce Divisions from both the Harrisburg Area Community College and Reading Area Community College were among the community supporters recognized.

More information about Tec Centro Lebanon’s programs and services is available online.