When it comes to being technically adept, Centre County workers will need more opportunities to expand knowledge and abilities in the workplace, area technical educators said.

"I'm concerned with this area's ability to respond to technical training demands," said Arthur Heim, director of the Industry Research Center at Penn State.

At a recent meeting of the State College School Board Community Education Advisory Committee, members and invited guests defined the problems faced by Centre County as it moves into the technical age.

Many of the experts invited to the meeting agreed the county needs more workers trained in the industrial arts.

"There is a wide need for machinists in the Centre County area," said William Springer, director of the Centre County Vo-Tech School in Pleasant Gap.

Heim said the problem is not just related to Centre County.

"In many parts of the state there is not much of a workforce available," Heim said. "We need to look at minorities, women, welfare recipients and immigrants as a target population (for training).

"The problem we're in right now is that many workers are close to retirement," Heim said, explaining why training individuals now in the workforce may be in vain.

A problem also exists in educating potential workers.

Springer said education is available, but not many are interested. He said empty seats exist in every daytime class at the vo-tech school.

Committee member Chuck Mong said the pool of trainable workers lacks basic writing and math skills.

"People come out of schools lacking the ability to start jobs," Heim agreed.

Committee member Pat Vernon said the elementary and secondary schools have to put more resources into industrial arts training. "Technical literacy is the key to getting the workforce interested in the technical professions," he said.

Funding for technical education is available through the state and some companies to those who need it, but it is often difficult to find.

"There is money, but it's very hard to attract people to (technical) jobs," said committee member Kerry Wiessman.

"Many don't understand what funding is available and how to access it," Heim said.

Most employers will contribute toward or pay all of the tuition at a technical school after the course is successfully completed, Springer said.

Most members said many companies wait too long to retrain their employees for new high-tech equipment.

"Most companies are reactive and not pro-active," said Diane Langley, coordinator of Training and Outreach at the Pennsylvania College of Technology at Williamsport.

"You can't help the county change technology without doing something with the workforce," Heim said. "We need to look at the long term."