FRANKLIN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Career Technical Institute offers second chance in trades for adult students

By JULIAN MENDOZA (Recorder – 12-16-22)

TURNERS FALLS — After years of skipping classes, medical complications and a devastating house fire that disrupted his education, Millers Falls resident Jake Clark was ready to concede that school simply wasn’t for him.

But then, he received a “god-sent message,” informing him that Franklin County Technical School would be offering night classes for adults in need of a fresh start.

“I think this a great opportunity for people to get a second chance who didn’t get a chance the first time around,” Clark, who graduated from Turners Falls High School in 2016, said at Tuesday ’s open house. “Not to knock the kids, but they’re forced to be here. I think the adults that are here, they want to be here.”

Dubbed the “Career Technical Institute,” the program, conducted in partnership with the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, began by offering welding and automotive technology night classes starting Sept. 19. The institute is particularly geared toward helping adults who are unemployed or financially unstable, with admission preference and free tuition granted to those who qualify. Students receive job or apprenticeship placement upon completion of a course. Thus far, the school has observed “early success” with the program and celebrated its “strong start” during Tuesday’s open house.

Starting at 4:30 p.m., night school students who have been training since the program’s start welcomed adults who are considering heading down the same path.

“It’s an audience of students that may be older, but they’re in their journey of life where things are changing,” said Mike Nobrega, an 11year Franklin Tech instructor set to teach the Career Technical Institute’s carpentry program that will begin in spring 2023.

Night School Coordinator Justin Lawrence said he’s been massively encouraged by what he’s observed thus far within the institute.

“For me, it’s been really, really refreshing to work with adults that deal with the craziness of life and deal with it for four nights a week for 12 weeks to work toward a trade,” he said. “The skill that they have now is solely due to their commitment and their drive is so inspirational. It’s really something to see.”

“I think everybody has worked a tremendous amount here,” welding instructor John Passiglia added. “I think it’s been very successful.”

This level of investment is mirrored by program staff, instructors said. Night school classes are taught entirely by Franklin Tech’s day school teachers.

“One of the upsides to this

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Millers Falls resident Jake Clark is taking a welding class at Franklin County Technical School.

STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Shane Schmid of Easthampton and Dan Cheney of Springfield use a diagnostic device to check on a vehicle in the Automotive Department at Franklin County Technical School’s open house for adult classes at the school Tuesday evening.

STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

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program is that this isn’t just run by a technician who is looking to freelance as a night job,” Steven Miss, who teaches automotive technology alongside David Chagnon, told his group of open house attendees. “We’re both technicians, we’re both business owners, but above all, we’re teachers.”

Nobrega added that his motivation to extend his capacity past sundown stems from having been in his students’ shoes.

“I’ve been through the school of hard knocks,” Nobrega said. “I’ve been unemployed. I can relate to what some of these folks are going through.”

Clark said he’s seen “quite a bit of opportunity” come his way as he’s gone through the program. Relative to traditional schooling, he doesn’t “see any comparisons” to how effectively the Career Technical Institute gets students “job entry-ready.”

“You don’t just get handed a piece of paper to tell you where you want to go,” he said. “You actually get to be on the right track of where you want to be.”

The next session of the institute begins on Feb. 13 with offerings including carpentry, automotive technology, welding and metal fabrication. Those interested in participating are encouraged to attend an open house, with the next taking place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 at Franklin Tech.

For more information and details regarding program registration, visit bit.ly/3FPheeH. Those who qualify for priority consideration may include the unemployed, spouses of military members and other disadvantaged people, according to MassHire’s website. A full list of qualifications, as well as information regarding how to apply, can be found at masshirefhcareers.org/education-training. Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@ recorder.c o m .