Panther Valley High School students became the first in the state to participate in a pilot program involving a Mobile Manufacturing Lab that will be utilized in schools throughout the region.

The lab is equipped with integrated components designed to replicate a real-world manufacturing setting. It provides participants with hands-on experience and practical training in various aspects of manufacturing and industrial automation.

The lab, a trailer containing advanced machinery and software systems, helps students learn and practice skills such as electrical, mechanical and programmable controller skills.

Patricia Ebbert, high school principal, said 11 students, receiving four hours of training three times a week, participated in the lab.

She said as soon as she heard about the lab, she applied to have it utilized at Panther Valley. The school became the first in the state to have it on visit.

The lab travels to school districts throughout Carbon, Lehigh and Schuylkill Counties for four-week increments. Coordinating the program is the Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Brandon Dopira, representing LCCC, said the next stop will be the Carbon Career and Technical Institute beginning April 8.

Financing for the lab is through a PPL Empowerment Grant.

Ebbert said she is pleased Panther Valley was chosen for the lab.

“We try to give our students exposure to anything they might want in college,” she said.

The program seeks to educate high school students in Carbon and Schuylkill counties about careers in advanced manufacturing.

Ebbert said the objective is to spark interest and enthusiasm for pursuing a career in this field.

The programs are instructor-led and consist of a blend of lectures and hands-on demonstration of skills.

Students gain insight into the essential aspects of being a production or maintenance technician in an advanced manufacturing setting.

They will then have the opportunity to further their education at Lehigh Carbon Community College, with the chance to obtain certifications that will help them find employment in this field.

The four technical areas in the curriculum are production technician, electrical curriculum, mechanical curriculum and fluid power curriculum.

The development, implementation and execution of this program is spearheaded by the staff of LCCC, who presently certify approximately 300 smart operators and maintenance technicians annually.