Thursday, September 15, 2011

Senator Joyce attends the Ribbon Cutting at the new Porter and Chester Institute in Canton

By By Judy Bass

The power of career education, even in a volatile economy, was affirmed recently when the Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) that offers career training in several professions such as automotive technology, dental assisting and electrical had a festive ribbon cutting ceremony at its campus at 5 Campanelli Circle in Canton.

Among the notable speakers were State Senator Brian A. Joyce, Canton selectman Avril Elkort, John Nesti of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, and lead guidance counselor Sarah Titus of Blue Hills Regional Technical School.

Titus, a Canton resident, spoke appreciatively of how job-based education such as that provided at Porter and Chester makes students “more marketable,” particularly if they are continuing the career training they began in a superb technical high schools like Blue Hills.

Following the event, Titus said, “At Blue Hills Regional, I see first-hand the value of technical education at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. With PCI now open in Canton, our graduates have a local opportunity to either pursue additional licenses beyond those earned at Blue Hills or to build upon their skills learned at Blue Hills and transfer those skills in a related career."

"[For example], I can see graduates of Blue Hills' Health Assisting program who have already earned their CNA, Home Health Aide and EKG certificates having a head start should they decide to switch gears and study Medical Administration or Dental Assisting at PCI," she said.