Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

What Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology does

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) is a publicly-funded career and technology center founded in 1969 and headquartered on a 140,000+ square-foot main campus at 540 North Harrison Road in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania. Its mandate is regional workforce preparation: CPI delivers secondary career and technical education to high school students drawn from four sending school districts (Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte Area, Penns Valley Area, and State College Area), and post-secondary programs, apprenticeships, and continuing education to more than 1,300 adult learners annually. The portfolio spans 20 secondary programs, 60 adult and continuing education offerings, and 350+ online courses delivered through an ed2go partnership, with disciplines covering advanced manufacturing, practical nursing, commercial driving, emergency services, and industrial safety. CPI also operates the adjacent 18-acre Centre County Public Safety Training Center (CCPSTC), a leased regional facility that delivers fire, EMS, police, and hazardous-materials training across a twelve-county area.

The technical backbone consists of industry-standard physical training infrastructure rather than a software platform: SACA-certified Industry 4.0 labs covering 27 competencies (electrical, motor controls, VFDs, PLCs, pneumatics, hydraulics, robotics), an FMCSA Training Provider Registry–listed CDL facility with ELDT-compliant curriculum and skills testing ranges, nursing simulation labs supporting a 1,500-hour practical nursing diploma, and public-safety assets including a drill tower, EVOC course, burn building, and residential burn building. Credentialing partners include SACA, the PA State Fire Academy (aligned to new NFPA 1010 programs replacing EL22), and Pearson VUE for third-party proctored testing. The institution holds ACCSC post-secondary accreditation, FMCSA TPR listing, Military Friendly School status, and a USA Today Top 250 Vocational Schools 2025 recognition.

Revenue is generated through three streams: tuition and fees for post-secondary and adult programs (e.g., $139 per SACA Silver test, $496 per SACA Gold test, $548 for CDL ELDT, $200–$464 for CDL skills tests, $150–$180 per hour for behind-the-wheel CDL instruction), recurring state operating subsidies through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Career & Technical Education, and discretionary grants — most recently $650,000 awarded across two 2026 awards from the PA Department of Labor & Industry for manufacturing pre-apprenticeships and automation apprenticeships. Customer segments are diversified across secondary students, adult learners, emergency-services organizations, and regional employers, with go-to-market executed via formal sending-district partnerships, regional workforce and safety partnerships under the CCPSTC policy advisory committee, and an online storefront for individual adult enrollees.

Name

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

Legal name

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology

Website

https://cpi.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is a publicly-funded career and technology center in Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania, delivering secondary and post-secondary vocational training — including advanced manufacturing, practical nursing, CDL, and public-safety programs — to high school students from four sending districts, 1,300+ adult learners annually, and emergency responders across a twelve-county region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Career technical training
• Workforce development
• Apprenticeship programs
• Public safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellefonte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Training Fees: CPI generates revenue through tuition and fees for post-secondary programs, adult education, and professional training courses. Programs include practical nursing, CDL training, SACA certification testing, and workforce development training.
2. Government Funding: Publicly-funded career and technology center through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Career & Technical Education. Receives state funding as a regional CTC.
3. Grants and Government Contracts: CPI receives grants for workforce development programs including $400,000 from PA Department of Labor & Industry for manufacturing pre-apprenticeship and $250,000 investment for automation apprenticeships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) is a publicly-funded career and technology center that delivers secondary career and technical education for high school students from four sending districts and post-secondary diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs for adult learners. Offerings include a Practical Nursing Diploma, FMCSA-compliant CDL training, SACA Industry 4.0 certifications, automation and mechatronics apprenticeships, advanced manufacturing programs, and emergency-services training (fire, EMS, police, hazardous materials) through the affiliated Centre County Public Safety Training Center.

Product overview

The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) is a publicly-funded career and technology center offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational and technical education programs. The institution operates as a multi-module educational platform consisting of secondary programs for high school students, post-secondary diploma and degree programs, registered apprenticeship programs in automation and mechatronics, and specialized workforce development services. Key program areas include advanced manufacturing, practical nursing, commercial driver training, and public safety training through its affiliated Centre County Public Safety Training Center (CCPSTC). The institution also provides SACA certification testing for Industry 4.0 skills, distance education options, and career placement services. With 20 secondary programs, 60 adult and continuing education offerings, and over 350 online courses, CPI serves over 1,500 secondary and adult students annually across Centre County and surrounding regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre County Public Safety Training Center (CCPSTC): A regional emergency services training site operated by CPI for responders and emergency personnel in a twelve county area, providing training for police, firefighters, emergency services, and hazardous materials workers.

Products and services

• High School Programs Career and technical education programs for high school students from four sending districts in Centre County, Pennsylvania, combining academic instruction with technical training and industry-recognized certifications.
• Post-Secondary Education Programs Vocational and technical diploma and certificate programs for adult learners seeking to upgrade skills, learn new trades, or make career changes across 60 adult and continuing education offerings.
• Practical Nursing Diploma Program Full-time 12-month, 1,500-hour practical nursing program preparing graduates for NCLEX-PN licensure and employment in healthcare settings.
• CDL Custom Training FMCSA-compliant Entry-Level Driver Training for CDL A and B, skills testing, HAZMAT and passenger endorsements, with pricing starting at $548 for ELDT and $150-$180 per hour for behind-the-wheel instruction.
• SACA Certification Training and Testing Smart Automation Certification Alliance authorized training and testing for Industry 4.0 competencies across 27 certifications, with Gold tests priced at $496 and Silver tests at $139.
• Advanced Manufacturing Technician Programs Programs in advanced manufacturing technology leading to diploma or degree, including automation and instrumentation linked to mechatronics, supported by $250,000 in PA Department of Labor & Industry apprenticeship investment.
• Apprenticeship Programs Registered apprenticeships in automation and instrumentation for mechatronics, plus an advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program launched with a $400,000 PA Department of Labor & Industry grant awarded in January 2026.
• Centre County Public Safety Training Center (CCPSTC) State-of-the-art, 18-acre regional emergency services training facility operated by CPI under a lease with Centre County Commissioners, offering courses in fire suppression, hazardous materials, EMS, police, and industrial safety for a twelve-county area.
• Fire Service Training Courses Comprehensive firefighting training delivered at CCPSTC, including Introduction to Fire Service, Fireground Support, Exterior and Interior Firefighter certification, essentials refresher, respiratory protection, engine and truck company operations, and NFPA 1010-aligned specialized courses.
• Emergency Medical Services Training EMS training and continuing education courses for emergency medical responders delivered through CCPSTC.
• Police Training Programs Law enforcement training at CCPSTC including Ferguson Township Police training, Penn State Sheriff's Academy, and vehicle operations courses.
• Industrial Safety Training Workplace safety training including OSHA courses, HAZWOPER, confined space entry, silica awareness, and industrial fire brigade training delivered through CCPSTC.
• Distance Education and Online Courses Online and hybrid learning options for students, providing access to over 350 online courses through the ed2go partnership.
• Workforce Ready: Powered by CPI Customized workforce development and employee training services for businesses and industries in central Pennsylvania.
• Career Placement Services Job placement assistance connecting CPI students and alumni with employment opportunities from local employer partners.
• Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) On-site driving and vehicle training at CCPSTC for public safety organizations including police departments and emergency service agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ students trained annually across secondary and adult education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Advance Central PAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Partnership with Advance Central PA to establish an advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program for Centre County students. Awarded $400,000 from PA Department of Labor & Industry. Program trains 16 students in two cohorts in robotics, automation, PLCs, and automated systems with SACA certifications.
• Centre County CommissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLease agreement with Centre County Commissioners for CPI to manage and operate the Centre County Public Safety Training Center. CPI operates the 18-acre facility serving a twelve county region for emergency services training.
• Four Sending School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPI serves students from Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte Area, Penns Valley Area, and State College School Districts. These partnerships enable secondary career and technical education programs.
• Centre County Fire/Police/EMS OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy advisory committee includes representatives from County of Centre, Centre County Fireman's Association, Police Chiefs Association, EMS Council, Fire Chiefs Association, municipal governments, and local industry to govern CCPSTC operations.
• Pennsylvania State Fire AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCPSTC provides access to fire training aligned with PSFA standards and certification requirements, including the new NFPA 1010 programs replacing EL22.
• SkillsUSA, FFA, National Technical Honor Society, FCCLA, NAHB Student ChaptersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization partnerships providing career development, leadership, and competitive opportunities for CPI students.
• Penn College NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege partnership program allowing students to earn college credits and dual enrollment opportunities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Universal Technical Institute: A national for-profit provider of technical training including transportation (diesel/auto), manufacturing, and skilled trades. Operates at much larger scale than CPI but competes in adjacent categories such as CDL, manufacturing, and welding training.
• Triangle Tech: A Pennsylvania-based technical school with multiple campuses offering programs in welding, HVAC, automotive, electronics, and skilled trades. A direct peer in regional Pennsylvania trade-school education with similar program categories.
• Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center: A regional public career and technology center in Ohio offering secondary and adult programs in skilled trades, healthcare, and public safety. Direct peer in operating model (public CTC serving multiple districts) and program portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• ECPI University: A for-profit institution offering accelerated career-focused programs including technology, nursing, and skilled trades. Provides similar credential-bearing training but in a degree-granting rather than CTE-center model.
• Lincoln Tech: A national for-profit career college offering programs in automotive, HVAC, welding, healthcare, and skilled trades with multiple campuses. A broad incumbent in the same vocational training category as CPI.

Regional players

• Central Pennsylvania Community College (various - Pennsylvania Highlands Community College): A Pennsylvania community college serving a similar region with workforce and technical programs including manufacturing, healthcare, and skilled trades. Adjacent in mission but operates under junior college rather than CTE-center model.
• South Hills School of Business & Technology: A Pennsylvania-based career college offering technology, business, and healthcare programs. Comparable as a regional Pennsylvania private post-secondary career training provider, though smaller and more specialized than CPI's CTE scope.

Others

• SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance): The industry standards body for Industry 4.0 certifications that CPI administers. Functions as both a content partner and ecosystem enabler; comparable as a peer in the certification/testing layer rather than as a direct training competitor.
• Commonwealth Technical Institute / PA CareerLink: Pennsylvania's workforce development network of CareerLinks and OVR partner programs operate complementary workforce training in similar trades, frequently co-referring candidates to programs like CPI's.

Emerging players

• Penn Foster: An online career-focused education provider offering vocational programs including trades, healthcare, and technology. Comparable for online/distance education delivery model rather than physical campus training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cpiedu
• Facebookfacebook.com/cpiedu

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology