History

Orleans Technical College, a program of JEVS Human Services, a large non-profit, social service agency, provides training, support services and job search assistance to residents of the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Orleans Tech began enrolling students in 1974 when it was licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Business Schools as the JEVS School of Business. It originally offered clerical courses to women returning to the workforce. In 1976 and 1977, the JEVS School of Trades was licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Trades and three trade programs in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Plumbing and Heating, and Residential and Commercial Electricity were established. Licensed in 1978 as the JEVS School of Business and Trades, when the two State Boards were merged, the school continued to grow as did the number and variety of its training programs based on the employment driven needs of area industries.

In 1981, Orleans Technical College was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (formerly the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools). Our evening school division was added in 1985. Orleans Technical College opened a branch campus in center city Philadelphia in 1986 offering training in court reporting with programs for beginning and practicing reporters seeking to learn or upgrade their proficiency in machine shorthand. In October 1991, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the accrediting body granted approval to award an Associate Degree in Specialized Business (ASB) to graduates of the Court Reporting program. This program was updated and approved as a new program in 2007.

By 2007, the growth of the school and the desire to combine all program offerings at one location resulted in the move of all training to 2770 Red Lion Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The newly constructed $21 million, 88,000 square foot facility was well designed to meet the needs of the training programs we provide.

Currently, the programs offered at Orleans Technical College are Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating; Building Maintenance; Carpentry; Plumbing and Heating; and Residential and Commercial Electricity. Orleans Tech continues to involve its Program Advisory Committees closely in the on-going development of its programs so that its graduates consistently have the skills that meet the hiring needs of area employers.

In 2015, the school changed its official name from Orleans Technical Institute to Orleans Technical College.

Watch our Video from our 40th anniversary in 2014