Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates STEM Week with New Automation Robotics Mechatronics at Montachusetts Regional Vocational Technical School

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates STEM Week with New Automation Robotics Mechatronics at Montachusetts Regional Vocational Technical School

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FITCHBURG – Lt. Governor Karyn Polito visited Montachusett Regional Technical Vocational School to help the school officially open its new automation robotics mechatronics lab (A.R.M), which will prepare students and adult learners interested in careers in advanced manufacturing and automation. Monty Tech received a $500,000 Skills Capital Grant from the Baker-Polito Administration last spring to purchase the equipment. School officials decided to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony today as part of STEM Week, a statewide initiative aimed at encouraging more young people to consider studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Students in the electrical, engineering, and computer design courses will learn skills that could lead to careers in manufacturing and robotics as automation technicians, manufacturing production technicians, mold-makers, drafters and CNC machinists. The lab will also teach adult learners in off school hours. 

“We are proud to increase access to high-quality career education for students by strengthening vocational schools and creating opportunities for students across the Commonwealth to explore STEM fields,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “STEM Week is just one more way to draw attention to the diversity of careers that are growing here in Massachusetts so students consider these fields as part of their future.”

“With these Skills Capital Grants, our aim is to create more opportunities for students to be successful by providing more training, knowledge and experience in developing industries,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “In order to keep up with Massachusetts’ thriving economy, we need to have trained, skilled workers to meet businesses’ needs for new talent.”

Strengthening STEM education in the Commonwealth’s K-12 schools and deepening the STEM workforce pipeline is a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito co-chairs the STEM Advisory Council along with Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III and Jeffrey Leiden, chief executive officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The STEM Advisory Council is appointed by the Governor and includes education and business leaders in STEM industries that work to promote STEM education, partnerships among industries and schools and internships for students.

The Baker-Polito Administration awards Skills Capital Grants to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with industry, as well as align curriculum and credentials with businesses’ demand, to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state. The goal of the grants is to update capital equipment at educational institutions that create career pathways for young people and adults.

“When young people have a sense of purpose to their studies, they become interested, engaged students who are capable of great things. Skills Capital Grants give more students opportunities for applied learning experiences so they develop real world skills and knowledge in STEM-related fields,” said Secretary of Education James Peyser.

Monty Tech has received more than $1.4 million in Skills Capital Grants since 2016. In total, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded nearly $65 million to more than 230 educational institutions across the Commonwealth.

“Since 2016, thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration and support from our state legislature, Monty Tech has received almost $1.5 million in Skills Capital grants, allowing us to make much-needed large equipment updates, and expand seven of our technical programs,” said Superintendent Sheila Harrity. “These equipment upgrades are directly in line with industry standards and expectations and will provide the most current training for our students in both the high school and continuing education programs. These grants have provided Monty Tech with unique opportunities to partner with local businesses to improve training for all students."