Saturday was graduation day for the third clinical medical assistant cohort and the first construction trade cohort through the Erie Center for Arts and Technology.

Bill Strickland was the commencement speaker. He is the founder and the executive chairman of Manchester Bidwell. He also is on the E.C.A.T. Leadership team.

Erie News Now spoke to graduates who said they were happy to attend classes through the tuition free program.

One student said she worked full time while attending night classes and after graduation she plans to work in electricity or welding.

This event also gave community members a chance to see the effect of no cost workforce training offered by E.C.A.T.