Technical schools focus on hands-on occupational training in fields such as electronics, architecture, construction and computer technology. Technical training can be applied as early as high school and helps in preparing students for college and/or careers in technical fields. If you are an East Coast resident interested in a technical career, Connecticut state technical schools have plenty to offer.
Technical High Schools
The Connecticut State Department of Education funds and operates a technical high school program called the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS). CTHSS educates over 10,000 Connecticut high school students in its 16 technical high schools and one technical education facility. Students receive full-time instruction in any of 38 occupational categories and part-time apprenticeships are also available as well as two adult education courses in aviation maintenance. According to the CTHSS website, statistics show that about 45 percent of CTHSS graduates go on to attend college and 50 percent attain employment apprenticeships or enter the military after graduation.
State Department of Education Tech-Prep Program
Many Connecticut state colleges work in conjunction with local technical high school programs, including Quinebaug Valley Community College, Housatonic Community College and the University of Connecticut. The partnership of technical high schools and colleges is maintained by the Connecticut State Department of Education's Tech-Prep program. Connecticut high school students who elect to participate in the program may earn postsecondary college credit while still in high school, leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree in a number of technical fields.
Technical Computer Training
Porter and Chester Institute is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education and certified by the Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education. With facilities located in five Connecticut cities, including Branford, Stratford, Watertown, Rocky Hill and Enfield, the school is also approved by several government agencies, including the Division of Workers' Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Veterans Rehabilitation. Connecticut facilities offer courses in computer-aided drafting design(CADD) that focus on civil and architectural engineering and mechanical and electronic fields. Computer networking technology programs concentrate on computer programming, setting up and maintaining networking programs, installation and troubleshooting.
Central Connecticut State University-Technical Education Programs
Central Connecticut State University's Adult Technical Education programs offer a wide variety of options for adults wishing to continue their education. The college offers adults who already hold an associate's degree in a technical field the opportunity to earn bachelor's or master's degrees to enhance their careers. The bachelor's degree in industrial technology focuses on occupational safety, technology management and electro-mechanical technology and the master's course includes study of construction management. In the civil engineering technology courses student learn to execute engineering concepts used to build major structures, such as airports and bridges, with a curriculum that includes courses in chemistry, math, physics, surveying and construction materials.
Connecticut Truck Driving Schools
If you are seeking a career in transportation, Connecticut has a variety of schools that concentrate on training drivers in operating tractor-trailer vehicles and obtaining the Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
The New England Tractor Trailer Training School has four locations in Connecticut, including schools in Hartford and Bridgeport. The schools were established in 1965 and offer comprehensive hands-on training to beginning and experienced truck drivers throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Connecticut facilities are approved by the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education, and the Massachusetts facility operates in conjunction with the Northern Essex Community College Corporate and Community Learning Center.
References
- Connecticut Technical High School System: Mission Statement
- Education Portal: Adult Technical Schools in Connecticut with Program Summaries
- New England Career Schools: Porter and Chester Institute: Career Programs
- New England Tractor Training School: Truck Driver Training Schools in New England
- Connecticut State Department of Education: Tech Prep
