Adams County is at a crossroads. According to the Adams County Community Foundation, 50 percent of all scholarship applicants from 2025 planned to pursue tech, trade and certificate programs.
Adams County Technical School does an amazing job preparing our students for a career in technical fields. However, the school’s space has quickly become too small for demand. Adams County is only one of two counties in the entire Commonwealth that does not have a high school dedicated to technical trades.
We can continue to cobble together a patchwork of small career pathways, or we can invest in a purpose-built technical high school that prepares our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. A technical high school is not simply a niche specialization; it is a bridge between rigorous academics and tangible, high-demand careers. For Adams County, the case is clear: build a technical high school now to secure the county’s economic future and to empower every student to thrive.
As the owner of Battlefield Harley Davidson, we have raised the alarm for many years that Adams County is in desperate need of a pipeline of skilled labor for the county to thrive. Battlefield Harley has partnered with ACTI to employ tech students in an apprenticeship type of program to train motorcycle mechanics. Mitchell Feezer has grown and excelled in his position with us, and we couldn’t be happier with his success. Above all else, we see a path forward in preparing our local youth to perform the jobs of tomorrow.
Adams County is home to a diverse mix of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, construction, and tourism. As we emerge from the pandemic-era labor tightness, employers across these sectors report a persistent need for well-trained, job-ready graduates who can contribute from day one.
A dedicated technical high school can tailor curriculum to local needs—offering programs in areas like advanced manufacturing, information technology, cyber security, health sciences, carpentry, automotive technology, and culinary arts—while maintaining strong core academics.
The time is now to prepare for a vibrant future of Adams County. The question remains, do we have the courage to pursue it?
ACTI will hold a Community Info Session on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Gettysburg Area High School Auditorium.
David and Pauline LeVan are co-owners of Battlefield Harley-Davidson in Gettysburg.
Absolutely we should foster tech programs. It’s important to give our future leaders skills in all areas and yet keep our town charm by limiting Runaway building that so many towns make the mistake of doing just that.
Having been in several different trades through my working career i fully support a trade school in Adams County. I know Carroll County Maryland has continued to lead the way with there vocational programs at Westminster High school. Good jobs are getting harder to come by and setting oneself up with training at the high school level enables students to step right into good paying careers.
I agree with these thoughts. However building a whole new building dedicated to a tech high school would necessarily create an additional tax payer burden on local tax payers already stretched to the brink. This idea should be pursued through fund raising led by the businesses to be served and which will primarily benefit . There are many large building locally that would be possible candidates for acquisition as a second campus. The expenses of remodeling such a building should be raised locally . Any idea to create an additional tax payer burden on top of existing taxes should not… Read more »
I understand the need for ACTI and industries in Adams county would greatly benefit from it. Well then step up and pay for it. Sponsor the ACTI with $$$$ and STOP breaking the backs of the retired and fixed income population. You have the opportunity to supply teachers from your industries, equipment related to your particular occupations. SO STEP UP and support the school thats graduates will support you!
Well done piece, I know we have some tech training available to hishschoolers and hacc, the agriculture coop, but these kinds of programs are always a great investment.
Great Idea Adams County needs a Tech School!l l graduated from a Tech school in Harrisburg with a welding background.
I went to Tech for 3 yrs
Best thing I ever did to learn
My trade