Empowering People.
Impacting Communities.
What is Tec Centro?
What is the Tec Centro Workforce Network?
Tec Centro Workforce Network is a coalition of community advocates, public officials, philanthropic leaders, and business professionals. The collective goal is to establish community-based bilingual workforce centers to serve populations that are disproportionately disadvantaged. These third-class cities in Central Pennsylvania have a heavy concentration of residents who face barriers related to bilingual education, skills training, and job placement. And in working to proactively address and break down these barriers, the network provides the tools and opportunities for a way out of poverty. We are a proud affiliate of UnidosUS.
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How does it work?
The Tec Centro Workforce Network, currently made up of locations in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties, is the primary provider of bilingual education and skills training. Each location operates independently, forging strategic educational partnerships throughout the community to leverage public and private funding and collaborating with area community colleges and training programs to provide skill training that leads to careers in high-demand areas. Tec Centro Workforce Network provides support and infrastructure to create efficiencies and best practices among locations to maximize resources and community impact.
Background & History
The movement to create bilingual community workforce centers began in Lancaster in 2014 when SACA (Spanish American Civic Association) created a bilingual workforce development model, Tec Centro. This led to the establishment of a 16,000 square-foot training center which contained under one roof all the essential components required for an individual to overcome poverty-these being English language instruction, adult basic education, job placement, job readiness, occupational skills training in high-demand occupations, and placement upon training completion. The regional network of centers follows this fundamental outline in their services.
The Centers
Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation
450 South 6th Street
Reading, PA 19602
Tec Centro Philadelphia
Esperanza Tec Centro Philadelphia
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Leadership
Board of Directors
Tec Centro Regional Network
Marlyn Barbosa, Board Chair
Tec Centro SE and Tec Centro SW (Lancaster)
Violet Emory, Vice Chair
Tec Centro Berks (Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation)
AliceAnne Frost, Treasurer
Tec Centro York (York Community Resource Center)
Kay Litman
Tec Centro Lebanon (WEPA)
Carlos Graupera, CEO
Tec Centro Regional Network
Regional Directors
MARLYN BARBOSA
Chief Workforce Development Officer, Lancaster
KAY LITMAN
Executive Director, Lebanon
VIOLET EMORY
Executive Director, Berks
ALICEANNE FROST
Executive Director, York
ROBERT TORRES
Executive Director, Capital Region
REV. DANNY CORTÉZ
Executive Director, Philadelphia
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Meet Carlos
Carlos Graupera is the President & CEO of Tec Centro Workforce Network. Previously, he served 50 years as the Founder and CEO of SACA (Spanish American Civic Association), which he established in 1973 in the heart of the City of Lancaster. Under his leadership, SACA evolved into a full-service organization providing civic infrastructure and support for every ethnicity, age, and ability. In 2023, Graupera embarked on a new journey to establish and grow the Tec Centro Workforce Network, which is deeply rooted in the same mission to break through generational poverty while creating a community that is vibrant with opportunity. Using his experience, dedication, and relationships, The Network has seen rapid growth with workforce development centers planted in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties and growing.
Partner with us
Tec Centro Workforce Network values partnerships at every level, and there is truly no greater way to make an impact on your local community. From individuals who wish to support our vision to robust sponsorship packages that can be customized to any organization’s goal or budget, we invite you to learn what the network has to offer. To learn more use the contact form below.