PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools celebrated its Career and Technical Education students last month, awarding 14 outstanding students for their efforts in the program. 

 

The CTE program had 81 graduates this year and 53 of the juniors and seniors made approximately $815,360 in earned wages while completing 50,960 co-op hours. Of the 36 seniors, 20 where offered full-time positions after graduation. 

 

"We know firsthand some of the workforce and other challenges this pandemic brought and continues to bring to our community. A talent deficit exists across all industries, including education," Assistant Superintendent for College and Career Readiness Tammy Gage said at the event at Taconic High School on May 26.

 

"And we know our CTE programs were designed for and are expected to prepare the future workforce. We could not accomplish this without all of you — our employers, our community partners, our elected officials, our partners, our staff, our parents, and our students."

 

Those graduating from the CTE program move onto other opportunities including getting employed at local establishments, apprenticeships, two- and four-year colleges, technical schools, or the military. 

 

Past students have gained employment at businesses like 101 Restaurant, Adams Plumbing and Heating, Kidzone Childcare Center, Wahconah Street Greenhouse, and many more. 

 

Previous students have been accepted to colleges including Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, University of Massachusett's Stockbridge School of Agriculture and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

 

The program had 456 CTE students in Grades 9 through 12 and this was anticipated to increase by 120 students. Enrolled is projected at 576 students for the 2022-23 school year. 

 

The Advanced Manufacturing Program received an $18,000 grant from the the Gene Haas Foundation for equipment and scholarships. The program had six graduates this year. 

 

There will be four graduates from the carpentry program with all of them completing more than 300 hours of service to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, National Guard, and the Special Olympics. 

 

The Cosmetology Program will graduate 11. Both the program's teachers earned their state Department of Elementary & Secondary Education certificate on textured hair to meet the statewide certification status and standards. 

 

The Culinary Department was awarded third place in the Massachusetts National Guard Meals Ready to Eat competition challenge. That program has 13 graduates this year. 

 

All the juniors and seniors for the Early Childhood and Care program completed their EEC Essentials training and eight will graduate from the program.

 

There are four students graduating from the electricity program. Three will move on to continue their training in McCann Technical School's postsecondary program in North Adams and were offered full-time employment. The fourth student will be attending Norwich University in Vermont. 

 

There are 14 graduates for the Health Technology Program who have also completed the state nursing assistant program and other certifications, and received the mandated reporter certificate through the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. 

 

Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing program won't have graduates until next year but the current students earned certificates in both hot works and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour course

 

Ten are graduating from the Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies Program, nine from auto technology and three from  the horticulture. 

 

Taconic High School will be adding a Business Technology Program this fall with an expected enrollment of six. 

 

Gage, Taconic Principal Matthew Bishop and Pittsfield High Principal Henry Duval will present a report to the School Committee on making Taconic an all-vocational school. 

 

"There are many factors that must be considered: Students demand the sustainability of Taconic, which has state-of-the-art equipment and shops, and our district's ability to provide meaningful career pathways at Taconic High School," Gage said. 

 

"There are positive indicators and trends that speak to the health of our community. But we still have much work to do in our district, and your participation and support is very much needed to help ensure that every student has an opportunity to access quality programming that provides career exploration and immersion and development to prepare them to be future ready."

 

2022 Outstanding CTE Students

 

Advanced Manufacturing: Joseph LaFreniere 

Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing: Jayden McCartney 

Auto Technology: Joe Batho 

Carpentry: Ryan McNeil 

Early Education and Care: Hallie Eastwood

Electricity: Mike Britten 

Health Technology: Matejah Brassard 

Information Support Services and Networking: Michael Paul Beaulieu 

Metal Fabrication: Brady Donald 

Co-Operative: Ashland Markham and Kayla Snyder