Vocational Programs...

Auto Body Repair

The Automotive Body Repair Program provides training in the repair of automobiles and other vehicles. Students are instructed in the proper use of all basic hand and pneumatic tools. Students gain skills in welding, spraying, refinishing, estimating, replacing of parts, and repairing panels while working on actual jobs in the shop. Students spend several periods in a related theory course wherein the theoretical and technical processes in the field are studied in detail.

Students who complete this program can find employment in autobody shops, trucking firms, auto assembly plants, rental and fleet companies, and in the insurance field as adjusters.

Automotive Technology

The Automotive Technology Program focuses on all phases of automobile maintenance and repair. It is organized to challenge students within the scope of their abilities. Emphasis is placed on engine tune-up, brake work, complete front-end service, replacement of component parts, lubrication, clutch, transmission, driveline service, and engine work. Emphasis of the program is to develop diagnostic skills. Initial experience being with breakdown and assembly of component parts. As skills are developed, students progress to "live" work on customers' vehicles. The goal of the program is to train students for entry into the automotive field as qualified apprentices, with a sound basic knowledge of the trade.

Some students who complete this program may seek further education in specialized areas or may seek employment throughout the automotive industry. Career opportunities exist in repair shops, dealerships, parts suppliers, or assembly plants.

Carpentry

In the Mill and House Carpentry Programs students learn the basic process involved in cabinetmaking and building construction, remodeling, and renovation. Skills are developed in the use of tools and equipment, layout, design, and estimating.

In the first two years, students learnbasic woodworking shop skills through cabinet construction and millwork. In the next two years students will gain new construction/renovation skills through a variety of in-house and outside projects. Good safety practices and work habits, positive attitudes, and teamwork are stronly emphasized.

Upon successful completion of the program, students can find work throughout the building construction field, including both new construction as well as remodeling and renovation.

Community Services

Child Care Course Content:

The Childcare Program offers a unique opportunity to learn while doing. Students become actively involved by discovering the pleasures and responsibilities of working with young children. This laboratory experience allows the students to observe each individual child's development and to plan, prepare, and present creative learning experiences for children.

The lab experience also helps students acquire skills and knowledge, which will enable them to effectively understand and guide young children. Students also become more self-directed in their own learning. They have the opportunity to develop and foster interpersonal relationship skills, thus enabling them to work cooperatively with their peers and to deepen self-understanding.

Health Services Course Content:

This component prepares students for entry-level positions in the fast growing health field. The student receives training in basic health assistant skills, home health aide skills with emphasis on geriatric care. The student is exposed to a variety of medical careers.

Career opportunities exist in human service agencies, pre-schools, hospitals, day care centers, long-term care facilities, recreation centers, and private homes.

Computer Technology

The Computer Technology program at Franklin County Technical School is directed toward the training of students for positions in computer programming, computer repair, and information processing.

The Computer Technology Cluster provides its 9th and 10th grade students with a comprehensive overview of computer programming, as well as both the hardware and software aspects of PC computers. Students in 11th and 12th grades then choose an area of specialization, opting to focus on computer programming and information processing, or computer repair and networking.

Students are introduced to many of the major software packages, programming languages, and Windows operating environments. The program focuses upon industry-standard certifications, including A+, Network+, Certified Novell Administration, and Microsoft Certified Professional.

Additionally, students learn to work within a complex computer network, and gain significant exposure to the Internet and other communications environments.

Cosmetology

This course prepares students for the Massachusetts State Board of Registration of Cosmetologists examination. A good deal of course content stresses sanitation and hygiene. Students learn all facets of treatment, including hair styling, cutting, setting techniques, hair coloring, facial treatments, manicuring and artificial nail application, wig care and service, hair straightening, permanent waving and shampooing. Students gain knowledge in the areas of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry as well as in interpersonal relations as they relate to cosmetology. Training is also provided in business and shop procedure to prepare students who plan eventually to operate their own business.

Students who complete this program and pass the license examination can become cosmetologists, estheticians, hair colorists, nail technicians, and eventually salon owners. There are also many retail positions related to this trade available in most areas.

Culinary Arts

Current job trends show that the demand for trained food service employees will steadily increase will into the 21st century. The aim of this course is to develop students' proficiency in culinary skills in order to meet this national need. Through constant observation, students are evaluated as they perform 'hands-on' tasks, and solve theoretical problems.

There are three main areas in fod service: the range, the bakery, and the dining room. Students receive extensive training in each of these areas. The Apprentice Restaurant provides a realistic training site for students. In the production areas students are trained in all phases of cooking and baking. In the service area, students are trained in dining room service, cashiering, and bakery sales. In the latter part of the junior year and in the senior year, students may participate in the "Co-op" program. Upon graduation, students may choose to further their training in one of several culinary institutes.

Employment opportunities abound in the culinary field since the food industry is so encompassing.

Electrical

The electrical department teaches students to work with electricity in a safe manner and to provide entry-level skills into a number of career opportunities.

The course covers installation and maintenance of equipment for light, heat, and power with emphasis on construction, HVAC, and programmable logic controllers.

Mathematical and scientific principles are stressed to develop understanding of electrical circuits and theories. Students perform laboratory-type experiments to help them understand the operating characteristics of the circuits in use.

Learned wiring methods are used to install actual circuits for residential and commercial applications within the school and selected work within the school district.

In addition, electrical students learn and use the Massachusetts Electrical Code, blueprint reading, schematic and wiring diagram, layouts, and cost estimates.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR)

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program introduces students to the basics of these systems.

Students will study and work on a variety of heating systems including: gas, oil, hydronics, and solar. They will be introduced to a variety of air conditioning systems and will understand the differences between air conditioning and refrigeration.

Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible for entry-level positions in the HVACR field.

Landscaping and Horticulture

The Landscaping Program is designed to provide diverse training in greenhouse operations, nursery production, plant identification, aquaculture, and landscape design and management. Students are instructed in safety and in the proper use of such equipment as tractors, lawn mowers, chain saws, and other equipment associated with the landscaping trade. Students may study and obtain a hydraulics license. Students have the opportunity to further their education at Stockbridge School of Agriculture (UMass) and at Springfield Technical Community College.

Horticulture includes the cultivation, processing, and sale of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants, and flowers. There are four major divisions studied: pomology, olericulture, floriculture, and ornamental and landscaping.

Machine Technology

The Machine Technology Program trains students for entry-level positions as machinists. Students are trained in general shop safety, specific machine safety, and in the development of good work skills.

Students are trained in the use of metalworking machinery to produce shop projects and other work pieces from a variety of metals and plastics. They are involved with layout practices, setup, and operation of the various machines, inspection, use of precision measuring tools as well as machine maintenance and repair. Instruction includes CNC equipment, basic engine lathes, horizontal and vertical milling machines, surface grinders, drill press, tool and cutter grinders, pedestal grinders, and heat treatment. Specific related technical information is given on alternate weeks. Emphasis is placed on safety, efficiency, and working to industry standards.

Office Technology

The Office Technology Program introduces students to the growing field of business and office careers. This comprehensive program emphasizes the development of skills in office procedures and practices, business software applications, and oral/written communication. Students learn the function of the modern office and develop both the interpersonal and professional skills needed for careers in business. Office equipment, such as networked computer workstations, fax machines, electronic calculators, copy machines, printers, digital cameras, and scanners are used by students in both hands-on applications and business simulations.

Subjects such as computer applications, keyboarding and data entry, proofreading, business communications, record keeping, indexing and filing, problem solving using a calculator, accounting, and telephone procedures blend both theory and application. A variety of office settings within the school are used as a laboratory for student practice and skill building.

Plumbing

The Plumbing Program prepares students for entry into the plumbing, heating, or air conditioning fields. Emphasis is on development of manipulative skills required in assembly and installation of plumbing, heating, and air condition systems. Manual skills are developed with hand and power tools. In the first two years, students develop basic piping and material handling skills. The students work on installing plumbing and HVAC systems in the simulated house structure in the shop.

Juniors and seniors continue to advance their skills while working outside the shop on school and community projects. Students study the Massachusetts plumbing and related construction codes. In addition, upperclass students study plumbing, heating, and air conditioning theory.

Students who successfully complete this program are ready for entry-level positions in plumbing, heating, or air conditioning fields. Students who become plumbing apprentices receive credit from their school for their licensing requirements.

Welding/Metal Fabrication

The Welding/Metal Fabrication Program consists of instruction designed to meet entry level needs of students who are pursuing a career as a welder/fabricator. The program goals are to develop a theoretical and technical foundation to support a safe, hands-on learning experience using a variety of tools, equipment, and metals.

An innovative industrial-based curriculum blends related math, science, and metallurgy with state of the art equipment. Welding processes covered include shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, oxy-acetylene, and plasma arc cutting. The shearing, bending, rolling, and forming of metals are also included in a project-oriented format. This program is based on American Welding Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards. Students will have the opportunity to work towards certification to these standards.