LAWRENCE — Greater Lawrence Technical School was the first in the state to offer “after dark” programs to address the growing demand for Career and Technical Education (CTE) among students, and has just been awarded $100,000 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to expand that initiative.
GLTS launched its “after dark” CTE partnership program with Lawrence High School during the 2018-2019 school year, allowing 21 juniors to take their core academic courses at Lawrence High from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. before traveling to GLTS to study Machine Tool/Technology/Advanced Manufacturing from 2:30-5:30. This school year, those students have continued their studies through the program, and GLTS launched a second, two year program in HVAC for Lawrence High students this fall as well.
The two-year “after dark” programs at GLTS allow students in their junior and senior years to earn a certificate in Advanced Manufacturing or HVAC.
“Unfortunately, every year we receive more applications than we have space for,” Superintendent John Lavoie said. “That’s a reality that technical and vocational schools throughout our state face. These career fields are booming and have a wealth of employment opportunities, and we’re thrilled to open up our programming to more students.”
Approximately 1,000 students apply to GLTS annually, with about 400 being accepted.
As a result of the success of GLTS’s program, DESE awarded $500,000 to six schools, including GLTS, throughout the Commonwealth this October to support the development and expansion of additional CTE Partnership programs. The $100,000 grant will support the new HVAC program at GLTS as well as the second cohort of students entering the Machine Tool/Technology/Advanced Manufacturing program.
###