Bidwell Training Center executive director and senior vice president, Valarie Nije receives the School of Excellence Award at the 2017 ACCSC Professional Development Conference in Reston, VA. Photo courtesy of Bidwell Training Center.

By: Neil Strebig

Bidwell Training Center (BTC) in Chateau was recently recognized with a School of Excellence Award from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

650 career institutions were nominated and BTC was joined by 14 other 2017 finalists for the award. This marks the second time since 2012 that Bidwell Training Center has earned the prestigious accolade.

(left) Executive director at Bidwell Training Center, Valerie Njie and (right) Michale McComis, Executive Director of ACCSC. Photo courtesy of Bidwell Training Center.

“We were a 2012 School of Excellence and are thrilled to be acknowledged again for our efforts over the past five years. As we celebrate our students’ success and changed lives we also applaud the impact that their achievements make on families, communities, and the workplace,” said BTC executive director Valerie Njie in a press release.

With the award BTC will also earn an additional year of grant accreditation from the Department of Education. BTC has been helping educate Northside and Pittsburgh residents since 1967 and currently boasts a 79 percent graduation rate an 85 percent aggregated verified job placement rate for said graduates.

Read the full list of 2017 ACCSC School of Excellence Award winners here.