From Classroom to Career

Greater Reading, Pa., offers growing opportunities for experiential learning that connect students and job seekers to real-world skills and clear career pathways. With strong collaboration among schools, employers, and workforce partners, the community delivers hands-on experiences that prepare individuals for success in today’s competitive job market.

Local school districts are embedding career exploration and project-based learning into graduation requirements, working with partners like the Berks County Intermediate Unit, Career Ready Berks, the Berks Business Education Coalition and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to connect students with employers. Career and technical schools, including Berks Career & Technology Center and Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center, provide hands-on training that links education directly to employment.

Colleges and universities such as Albright College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks, Reading Area Community College and the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences offer a wide range of experiential learning. from internships and clinical rotations to apprenticeships and service-learning projects.

Greater Reading’s leading sectors-manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and agribusiness—offer students and job seekers diverse career pathways. Organizations like the Berks County Workforce Development Board and PA CareerLink provide training, career coaching and earn while you learn models like apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Institutions like Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship also connect students with real business challenges, giving them professional experience while contributing to local growth.

These initiatives strengthen the regional economy and create a pipeline of work-ready talent. By continuing to invest in education-to-employment strategies, Greater Reading is building a promising future for individuals and employers.