Whittier Tech to Offer Advanced Manufacturing Program for Adults

Gov. Charlie Baker attended the grand opening of Whittier’s Advanced Manufacturing Shop in September. (Courtesy photograph)

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School will offer adult advanced manufacturing classes in 2018 as part of a new certificate program created by the Baker-Polito administration.

Whittier is one of 10 vocational technical schools and community colleges selected by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito to develop an advanced manufacturing certificate program for adult learners to complete at their own pace. Scholarships and state and federal financial aid may also be available.

Starting next year, students can earn the certificate after completing 300 classroom hours and apply those college credits to an associate’s degree.

The announcement comes two months after Whittier opened its state of the art advanced manufacturing shop, funded through a $500,000 Skills Capital grant.

“The program provides another opportunity for students to pursue an affordable education in advanced manufacturing to learn a skill set and find a good paying job in this growing industry,” Baker said. “This unique program leverages state and federal resources and offers much needed flexibility to give people better career options and a path toward a college degree.”

Greater Lawrence Technical High School in Andover is one of the other schools partnering with the Baker-Polito administration for the new program.