Community and Workforce Programs

As part of one of the nation's most recognized universities, Penn State Behrend is uniquely qualified to provide educational and outreach services to business, industry, and the community through its Office of Community and Workforce Programs (CWP).

We offer training for non-traditional students, including professional development for workforce professionals, customizable corporate training for companies, continuing education credits, and workshops for the plastics industry.

Graphic with the words: Innovation and Emerging Plastics Technologies Conference, June 21-22, 2023

Innovation and Emerging Plastics Technologies Conference

Save the date for our annual plastics conference, a must-go for anyone interested in the latest trends in the industry. Attendees will hear presentations from industry leaders, learn about cutting-edge research, take part in hands-on tutorials in our state-of-the-art plastics processing lab, and have the opportunity to network with their peers.

Register for the Conference
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Business and Industry Programs

We work closely with your organization to assess your needs, then develop and deliver customized training programs at your location or on our campus. 

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Continuing Education Programs

Whether you want to launch a new career or upgrade your current skills, you need to be up-to-date on the latest trends. We offer continuing education courses in a number of disciplines—from Six Sigma methodologies to winemaking.

Icons representing aspects of Industry 4.0, such as computing, economics, security, and industry.

FREE Grant-Funded Training

For out-of-school youth, adults with barriers to employment, dislocated workers, and those who are unemployed or underemployed, Penn State Behrend now offers training that will help individuals participate in Industry 4.0.

Learn about Career Pathway Training
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Digital Literacy Workshops

Looking to understand email, search for jobs online, or just get more comfortable in a digital world? Attend a free training workshop at Corry Hi-Ed, in partnership with Penn State Behrend. Each workshop is two hours long, and there are a variety of topics offered.

See Details
Students in the plastics lab.

Plastics Training Academy

Nationally accredited plastics technology institution? Check. Face-to-face instruction by industry experts? Check. Hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art plastics laboratory? Check. Skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace? Check. From injection molding principles to DOE to part design principles, your processes can be enhanced through seminars offered by the Plastics Training Academy at Penn State Behrend.

Learn More about Plastics Training
Penn State Behrend faculty member instructs Plastics Training Academy participants from regional industry.

Bridging Industry and Academia

Our office often serves as the liaison between industry and academia, bringing these two forces together to meet business and community needs through the college’s Open Lab model of learning and discovery. In the college’s Open Lab environment, students and faculty members work side by side with business and industry partners to explore ideas, advance technologies, and refine products and services. The goal is to reduce barriers between industry and academia, research and practice, and learning and doing, providing students with valuable hands-on learning experiences and delivering research, development, and design solutions to business and industry.