New programs add 200 seats for students in areas like HVAC, early education, and health assisting

Everett - The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced 18 new state-approved career technical education (CTE, Chapter 74) programs in 12 high schools, including traditional high schools and dedicated CTE schools. Collectively, an estimated 335 students will graduate from these new programs each year, an average of 18 students for each program and of which at least 200 will be new seats. As part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, CTE programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that enable them to see and understand their future career paths, including continued education.

“Graduates of our CTE programs have the unique opportunity to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, with industry recognized credentials and real-world experience that affords them a competitive edge,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re excited to be expanding CTE programs across the state so that more students than ever before can leave high school with the skills that employers are looking for in in-demand fields like HVAC, manufacturing and health care.” 

“These 18 new programs will have a positive impact on our communities, our economy and our entire state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m glad to see our schools adapting to demand and offering these important opportunities to students.”

Signature components of CTE programs include at least 900 hours of immersive learning time, co-operative education in partnership with local employers, and opportunities to earn high-value industry recognized credentials. These programs are available in a variety of areas, including HVAC, Health Assisting, Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies, Carpentry, Programming & Web Development, Construction, Radio & Television Broadcasting, Cosmetology, and Environmental Science & Technology.

“Career-connected learning helps students with the applied learning they need for the jobs of today and the future and supports our employers and workforce in meeting high-demand careers,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on expanding access to career-connected learning in traditional high schools and dedicated CTE schools. I look forward to seeing what students in these new programs will do.”

“Career Technical Education programs help students gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in growing and in-demand industries like health care and human services, clean energy, and construction,” said? Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “By expanding CTE programs and continuing to reimagine high school education for students across the Commonwealth, we are also increasing access and opportunities that will build a diverse talent pipeline and our future workforce.”

“In line with our educational vision, these new programs promise to offer learning experiences that are relevant, real-world, and interactive,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “We look forward to partnering with districts to continue to expand these opportunities.”

These new program approvals build on the CTE Partnership Grants the administration awarded in October that added 342 new seats for students in “After Dark” programs. Those programs take place after the school day and create collaboration between career and technical education schools and local comprehensive traditional public high schools to provide students at public schools with access to career and technical education.

The newly approved career technical education programs and the schools that will offer them are:

- McCann Technical High School (Northern Berkshire Regional Technical School District in North Adams): Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration
- Leicester High School: Health Assisting
- Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School in Danvers: Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies
- Salem High School: Carpentry and Programming & Web Development
- Whittier Regional Technical High School in Haverhill: Construction Craft Laborer
- Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester: Marketing
- Springfield High School of Science and Technology: Business Technology, Early Education and Care, and Medical Assisting
- Roger L. Putnam Vocational-Technical Academy in Springfield: Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Waltham High School: Cosmetology, Environmental Science and Technology, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration, and Programming and Web Development