Minuteman High School Planning Two New Career and Technical Education Programs

Minuteman High School Planning Two New

Career and Technical Education Programs

LEXINGTON – It may have been missed during the debate over construction of a new school, but officials at Minuteman High School have been quietly planning to open two new career and technical education programs:  Advanced Manufacturing & Metal Fabrication and Multi-Media Engineering.

They are two of the 16 high-quality career and technical education programs to be offered in the new school.  They are part of an Educational Program Plan endorsed by the Minuteman School Committee and submitted to the state in the fall of 2014.

“We’re really excited by these new offerings,” said Michelle Roche, Director of Career and Technical Education at Minuteman. 

The 40-page Educational Program Plan looked at six criteria when deciding what programs were most beneficial.  Factors included job growth, wage growth, student interest, emerging occupations, post-secondary alignment, and the presence of strategic industry partners.    

“Both of these programs are supported by the data,” said Ms. Roche.

Numerous studies have shown that there are thousands of high-paying jobs currently open in the high-tech manufacturing field in Massachusetts.  The Advanced Manufacturing & Metal Fabrication program was designed in direct response to this unmet need.  The program will prepare students for occupations encompassing Mechanical Engineering, Machining, Manufacturing, Fabrication, and Welding so they can secure high-paying jobs as welders, solderers, cutters, sheet metal workers, and structural steel workers.

The Multi-Media Engineering program prepares students for the growing Creative Industries and provides a variety of career and college opportunities in the region.  This includes jobs for audio and visual technicians, film and video editors, video operators, multi-media artists, sound engineering technicians, riggers, and set designers.  Student interest in the program is clear.

"There's a genuine career path here,” said James R. McCartney, a professional stage hand in Boston and training coordinator for Local 11 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts. 

Mr. McCartney said “there’s no question in my mind” that there is a strong demand for high-quality people with basic carpentry and electrical skills, and knowledge of digital control systems for lighting, visual and audio at live performances including theater and concerts as well as commercial and corporate event planning and training and conference development.  He said there is “tremendous growth on the corporate side of things”, including fashion shows, business meetings, marketing conferences, trade shows, and car shows.

“We’re always on the lookout for technicians with the type of skills you’ll be developing at Minuteman,” said Mr. McCartney.  He said it’s “a top priority” for the union.

For those looking for additional training, he said several area colleges offer degree programs in technical theater.     

Both of the new programs will have Program Advisory Committees, including business and civic leaders, to help guide them.  Both will be located in the new Minuteman High School’s Engineering, Construction and Trades Academy.   

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school located in Lexington.  The school gives students a competitive advantage in the new economy by delivering robust academics and powerful career and technical skills.   

Minuteman prepares students for college and career success, with more than 60% of the school’s graduates typically pursuing a post-secondary education.