Tuition-Free Courses Funded Through Mass. Workforce Skills Cabinet

LEXINGTON – Monday, August 1, 2022 – Twenty-three adult students from the Greater Boston area recently completed evening courses in automotive technology, carpentry, cosmetology, and electricity at Minuteman Technical Institute in Lexington. These students have gained critical knowledge in trades with high demand for skilled workers and that provide long-lasting, economically sustainable careers.

Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI) – the adult evening division of the Minuteman Regional Technical School District – offers 10-month and 15-week career technical education programs throughout the year. The 15-week programs are tuition-free for most applicants due to support from the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet.

MTI is accepting registration for 15-week programs that begin in September: CNC Machine Operator, Carpentry Pre-Apprentice, Facilities Manager, Robotic Technician, and Welding.

On July 22, during a visit to Minuteman, Governor Charlie Baker announced an additional $32 million in grant funding would be allocated from the Workforce Skills Cabinet to support high school and adult career technical education programs statewide. As part of the latest grant allocations, MTI received $900,000 to support additional 15-week, tuition-free programs over the next year.

“Minuteman is tremendously grateful for the $2.6 million of support we have received since 2020 from Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet,” said Dr. Kathleen A. Dawson, Superintendent-Director of Minuteman. “This funding is invaluable if we are to be leaders in the fourth industrial revolution. Our students are gaining the highly technical skills necessary to meet the demands of the labor market and setting them and their families on a trajectory for economic mobility.”

Pictured here are adult students who completed the MTI Automotive Technology program in the spring of 2022: (from left) Anthony Luca of Arlington, Declan Gallagher of Watertown, Brandon Perry of Peabody, instructor William O'Neill, Andrew Caron of Bedford, Armand Pishdochian of Waltham, and Samuel Cluett of Acton.

Automotive Technology

In the 10-month MTI Automotive Technology program, students received various Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) industry-recognized credentials after completing 900 hours of hands-on and classroom training. The instructor was William O’Neill.

The following adult students completed the Automotive Technology program:

• Andrew Caron of Bedford
• Samuel Cluett of Acton
• Declan Gallagher of Watertown
• James Meehan of Watertown
• Brandon Perry of Peabody
• Armand Pishdochian of Waltham
• Anthony Luca of Arlington

Students and instructors from the spring 2022 MTI Carpentry Pre-Apprentice program. Pictured here (back row, from left) are Christian Gentile of Melrose, carpentry instructor Tom Akers of NASCTF, Andrew Vandenbossche of Waltham, technical assistant Garrett Rice, (front row, from left) instructor Keith Wright of Component Drywall, Lucy Green of Lowell, Rebeca Saravia of East Boston, and Luca Cucciara of Allston.

Carpentry Pre-Apprentice

The 15-week MTI Carpentry Pre-Apprentice program is held in collaboration with the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) and the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (NASCTF). It is designed to help students build the skills necessary prior to gaining an apprenticeship in areas such as proper use of hand tools and equipment, framing, concrete work, project management, and more. The instructors were Tom Ackers of NASCTF and Keith Wright of Component Drywall.

The following adult students completed the Carpentry Pre-Apprentice program:

• Luca Cucciara of Allston
• Christian Gentile of Melrose
• Lucy Green of Lowell
• Rebeca Saravia of East Boston
• Andrew Vandenbossche of Waltham

Two students secured carpenter apprenticeships immediately upon completion of the program: Green will work for Sweeney Drywall of Boxborough and Saravia will work for Turner Construction of Boston. Currently, only 11 percent of construction workers are women in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pictured here are adult students who completed the MTI Cosmetology program in the spring of 2022: (from left) Nyiesha Pope of Lexington, Emmalee Sheehan of Nashua, N.H., Jenny Romanowski of Arlington, Eleni Ioakimidis of Arlington, Samantha Mola of Waltham, Serena Silva of Nashua, N.H.

Cosmetology

In the 10-month MTI Cosmetology program, students gain 1,000 hours of classroom and hands-on experience, which includes working on clients in The Salon @ Minuteman. Students gain the necessary hours of instruction to qualify for the state licensing exam and gain additional industry-recognized credentials. The instructor was Giovanna Sheehan.

The following adult students completed the Cosmetology program:

• Jennifer Amsel of Lexington
• Eleni Ioakimidis of Arlington
• Nickie McNeil of Arlington
• Samantha Mola of Waltham
• Nyiesha Pope of Lexington
• Jenny Romanowski of Arlington
• Emmalee Sheehan of Nashua, N.H.
• Serena Silva of Nashua, N.H.

Pictured here are adult students who completed the MTI Electricity program in the spring of 2022: Joseph Alfeo of Waltham, Andrew Gmelich of Concord, instructor Kevin McDermott, and Allan Bamaca of Lynn.

Electricity

In the 10-month MTI Electricity program, students gain a thorough standing of the Massachusetts Electrical Code and gain 700 hours of experience toward obtaining a Journeyman Electrician License. The instructors were Al St. George and Kevin McDermott.

The following adult students completed the Electricity program:

• Joseph Alfeo of Waltham
• Allan Bamaca of Lynn
• Andrew Gmelich of Concord

Six additional students will complete the Electricity program this month.

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