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The investment reflects a strong commitment for the future education of students while supporting local and regional economic development. 

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, Steel Center for Career and Technical Education announced that the school will be undergoing a $29 million renovation of its facilities.  The announcement occurred during a brief program at 6:30 PM in the school’s main lobby at 565 North Lewis Run Road, Jefferson Hills.  It was part of the annual “Fall Occupational Advisory Committee Night” event.  Present were Steel Center consortium school district board members and superintendents, as well as many of the school’s advisory committee members who serve as Steel Center’s business, educational, and community partners.  

Dr. Janet Sardon, Superintendent of schools for the West Jefferson Hills school district spoke during the event about the positive experiences Steel Center offers students. “Students at Steel Center are provided with amazing learning opportunities that not only prepare them for their future careers, but the school also has a robust student services program to ensure that we educate the whole child”. More than one hundred attendees also heard from former Steel Center students. Ms. Karuna Rai, a 2022 graduate of the school’s Health Assistant program from the Baldwin Whitehall school district and a freshman nursing student at Duquesne University told the group, “Enrolling in Steel Center was one of the best decisions I have ever made”. Ms. Rai discussed how her teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Kastronis challenged her to be her best. “I wasn’t sure what to expect at first and didn’t know much about the healthcare field” she explained. “Coming to Steel Center helped me develop my career goal of becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner”. After earning her Bachelor of Science in nursing, she plans to pursue the required master’s degree in order to reach her goals.

 According to Steel Center’s Executive Director Mr. Kevin Rice, “Getting to this point has been a long process and a team effort. Our school board members and superintendents have been involved every step of the way”. Mr. Rice also stated that, “This renovation demonstrates our member school districts’ firm commitment to current and future students as well as their investment in the local and regional economy”.  The school originally opened on Buttermilk Hollow Road in West Mifflin as the “Steel Valley Area Technical School in 1964.  The original facility served 215 students in four programs. Also discussing their Steel Center experience was Clairton high school graduate Mr. Richard Ford, who was in the original Electronics class in 1964. A lifelong Clairton resident, dedicated community leader, and former City Council member, Mr. Ford told the attendees, “Steel Center gave me a great foundation. After high school I served in the United States Air Force as an Electronics Technician. These experiences led to my career with US Steel Clairton Works where I became the first minority Journeyman Electronics Technician for the company”.  Mr. Ford then shared how his electronics knowledge and skills led him to become a Journeyman Electrician for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5 for the remainder of his career (more than 31 years) with US Steel. 

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