Central PA

Talent & Innovation
Defense Ecosystem

Training for Central PA’s Defense Manufacturing Workforce

Through the Talent & Innovation Defense Ecosystem (“Rising” TIDE) Project, The Manufacturers’ Association offers NO COST training in CNC Machining and skilled Welding for eligible individuals working in or seeking employment in defense manufacturing. The TIDE Project will train and connect a skilled talent pool with over 80 regional partners and employers supporting our nation’s Maritime and Defense Industrial Bases.

These hands-on courses are taught at our network of training partner schools across Central Pennsylvania and are designed to strengthen the region’s defense manufacturing talent pipeline. If you meet the industry-specific employment eligibility, you can apply and gain valuable skills to support your career and your company’s workforce readiness.

The two courses that we offer:

Skilled Basic Welder
CNC Machine Operator

Skilled Basic Welder – 3 Different Options Available

This program supports the U.S. Maritime and Defense Industrial Base manufacturing through The Manufacturers’ Association’s Talent & Innovation Defense Ecosystem (TIDE) Project, helping build highly capable and innovation-driven talent for our regional defense manufacturers. Whether you are a defense employer looking to skill up your existing workforce, or an individual interested in working in defense manufacturing, this course will deliver hands-on, skill-focused training to help meet the critical demands of modern defense manufacturing in our region

Participants in this entry-level welding basics course will learn:

Basics in SMAW, Mig, Tig, and Flux Core welding
Blueprint reading
Welding safety protocols
Proper equipment setup and usage

Courses Available

Course Information: HARRISBURG

Eligibility: Referrals from employers, Referrals from partner organizations, Qualified individuals
Course: Welding
Dates: July 13 – August 13, 2026 (5 weeks)
Days: Monday – Thursday
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Dauphin County Technical School (6001 Locust Lane, Harrisburg PA 17109)
Cost: No Cost to qualified individuals or employers (TIDE Grant)
Register: Here!
Questions: Quentin Moore (qmoore@mascpa.org) or Vicki Krotzer (vkrotzer@mascpa.org)

Course Information: YORK

Eligibility: Referrals from employers, Referrals from partner organizations, Qualified individuals
Course: Welding
Dates: July 20 – September 9, 2026 (8 weeks)
Days: Monday – Thursday
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) – York Campus (2101 Pennsylvania Ave, York PA 17404)
Cost: No Cost to qualified individuals or employers (TIDE Grant)
Register: Here!
Questions: Quentin Moore (qmoore@mascpa.org) or Vicki Krotzer (vkrotzer@mascpa.org)

Course Information: LANCASTER

Eligibility: Referrals from employers, Referrals from partner organizations, Qualified individuals
Course: Welding
Dates: August 4 – October 8, 2026 (10 weeks)
Days: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Lancaster County Career & Technology Center – Mount Joy Campus (432 Old Market Street, Mount Joy PA 17552)
Cost: No Cost to qualified individuals or employers (TIDE Grant)
Register: Here!
Questions: Quentin Moore (qmoore@mascpa.org) or Vicki Krotzer (vkrotzer@mascpa.org)

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