Non-vocational high school students now have an opportunity to explore technical education through Northeast Metro Tech, which is welcoming them back for another year.
The school is launching a 12-week program under “Exploring Vocational and Career
Technical Pathways,” for grades nine through 12 students from its district who are not currently attending Northeast Metro Tech. The initiative allows participants to develop skills across 13 different technical programs.
Now in its second year, the program is supported by a $100,000 Cummings Foundation grant distributed over four years.
“We take our role as our communities’
alternative high school option very seriously,” said Principal Carla Scuzzarella. “This grant provides us with the means to offer vocational and technical
opportunities for students who are thinking about options for their future.”
The Exploring Vocational and Career Technical Pathways program operates in three consecutive four-week sessions held on Saturdays at the school. District students who enroll receive instruction from Northeast faculty and gain exposure to multiple career pathways through condensed versions of each shop’s standard curriculum at no cost.
Building on last year’s successful pilot, Northeast has expanded to offer courses in nearly all of its technical programs: automotive technology, business technology, drafting and design, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, design and visual communications, electrical, health assisting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning/refrigeration, metal fabrication, plumbing and robotics.
Program Director Joe O’Brien Jr. noted, “Teachers saw the positive impact this
program had on communities during our pilot program and wanted to become more
involved,” “This is a great opportunity
for students who are interested in one, two or three areas of technical study
to learn more and gain valuable skills that can be applied in college or a
career.”
In related news, Northeast received a $106,320 Skills Capital Grant this month that will enhance the drafting and design program through new equipment and cutting-edge software for participants.
Session one runs Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and March 2. The second session meets March 9-30 on Saturdays only, while session three takes place April 6, April 13, April 27 and May 4.
Participation is free, and students may attend all three sessions while selecting three different shops to explore or focusing on a single shop for the full 12 weeks. The school does not provide transportation.
Interested students should complete an application and email it to O’Brien at [email protected] or send it by mail to:
Northeast Metro Tech
Attn: Joe O’Brien Jr.
100 Hemlock Road
Wakefield, MA 01880
Applications should be submitted before each session begins; those submitted mid-session will be enrolled in the next session. For more information, contact O’Brien at [email protected] or 781-246-0810.