Tower Winter/Spring 2024 - 11

In the Facilities Maintenance program
at the Workforce and Economic
Development Center, students explore
carpentry, plumbing systems, electrical
systems, and HVAC. As part of the
training, students also gain
micro-credentialing that equips
them with the tools they need to
confidently enter the workforce
or make a career pivot.
Thaddeus Stevens College asked
four women enrolled in the Center's
Facilities Maintenance program to
share how their education is preparing
them for the next step in their careers.
RENEE HARNISH
Renee Harnish spent her childhood
around the cars her dad worked
on as a mechanic. With her father's
guidance, she began fixing things
around the house from a very young
age. As an adult, she has gravitated
toward jobs that apply the same
skills her father taught her.
Renee had her own business, but
as the pandemic unfolded, she
transitioned into a facilities and
maintenance role at a local company.
To progress at the company, Renee
needed to gain additional training. She
discovered the College's options at
the Workforce Center and enrolled in
the Facilities Maintenance program.
During her time there, Renee has
loved learning from the instructors
and building on her experience
from her decades of hands-on work.
Carpentry is her favorite area of
study; she gravitates to how tactile
and creative the work can be. For
Renee, the Facilities Maintenance
program has reinforced her prior
knowledge with the theory that she
can carry into advancing her career.
" The more knowledge you gain
about something, the more doors
you can open, " she said.
As a third-shift worker with a family to
care for, Renee has overcome significant
challenges to further her education.
She is tenacious and committed
to soaking up all the knowledge
possible while enrolled at the Center.
" It's been challenging, but I'm
not going to give up, " she said.
" Women are underestimated. You
can have a career-a rewarding
one if you put your mind to it. "
MADELINE KANAMPONGA
When Madeline and her family
moved from Rwanda to Lancaster
in February of 2022, she knew she
wanted to work in construction.
Having taken masonry classes in
Rwanda, Madeline knew she enjoyed
labor-intensive work and was excited
to find new ways to enhance her skills.
She completed her GED and began
searching for work opportunities.
While attending a local career fair,
Madeline's sister heard a representative
of Tec Centro talking about Thaddeus
Stevens College's Workforce Center.
Madeline was thrilled to discover the
Facilities Maintenance program existed.
" It was a dream for me-I wanted
something like this, but I didn't know
where I would find it, " she said.
Upon applying for the program,
Madeline learned she would receive
a scholarship to offset the cost of
tuition, which added to the draw.
Throughout the program, she
has enjoyed interacting with
her classmates, instructors,
and potential employers.
" They are teaching us what we
need in the field. I've been learning
construction for four years; I have a
little bit of skills, but they are adding
more skills to what I know, " she said.
Along with finding employment in a
field where she can put her skills to
use, she is determined to carve out
time after graduation to volunteer for
causes about which she is passionate.
" This program is just perfect
for anyone who wants it, "
Madeline said. " Just go for it. "
Thaddeus Stevens College : 10
Renee Harnish
" It was a dream
for me-I wanted
something like
this, but I didn't
know where I
would find it. "
- Madeline Kanamponga
Madeline Kanamponga
Tower Winter/Spring 2024

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