Career Education Assists Range of Students

Laid off? Want a career change but don't know what to do or where to go to jumpstart something new?

You might be a great candidate for the newly-christened Minuteman Career & Technical High School in Lexington.

Minuteman Career & Technical High School is a four-year public regional high school serving 16 towns in Eastern Massachusetts, including Belmont. The school also provides free career development programs to many adults from its 16 member towns and fee-based program to all other interested applicants.

It's a public high school, with a strong college track according to two representatives from the school that spoke at a recent Rotary Club of Concord meeting. Ernest Houle talked up the career opportunities, while Ron Marino spoke about his job placing students in the co-op program.

"Our high school students are very well equipped for work or college," said Marino. Houle said 66 percent of the graduating class last year went to college. Marino said he finds jobs for the students while they are at school.

Marino said last year was something of a boom for the post-grad student program, with the sagging economy and lack of jobs. Many adults of all ages sought out Minuteman for career training and placement.

"Six people came through our biotech PG program that were unemployed and now have jobs," said Marino. "We bring in unemployed adults for a 90-day biotech program, and they are out and trained and ready to go to work."

Houle said enrollment is increasing for the career-focused student. Of the roughly 700 enrolled students, 185 were freshmen, up 75 from last year's class of 110.

In the adult education program, Houle said there were 45 enrolled two years ago; 83 last year and 110 this year. He said the school offers short-term packages that provide training and a job.

"You leave here with industry credentials, whether as a high school student or a post-grad," said Houle.

The men's mission at the Rotary and in the member towns is to "get more involved in the communities," Houle said.

At the tables of Rotary members, there were murmurings about signing up for the culinary adult ed program.

"If you live in the district towns, it's free," said Houle, "except for a small materials fee."

For more information, visit  www.minuteman.org.