13 March, 2017
Keefe Regional Technical School is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a Massachusetts Workforce Skills Capital Grant of nearly $400,000 for the purpose of adding a new Dental Assisting Program to their career and technical offerings for the 2017-2018 school year.
The Workforce Skills Capital Grants program was created by the administration of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito last year. It aims to assist educational institutions in demonstrating partnerships with industry and aligning curriculum and credentials with local businesses’ demand, maximizing planning objectives and hiring or internships opportunities regionally.
According to Keefe Regional Technical School Superintendent Jon Evans, “We are thrilled to have been selected this year to receive a Massachusetts Workforce Skills Capital Grant to begin a Dental Assisting program in the 2017-2018 school year. We believe that this will be a wonderful option for our future students who will receive training on state-of-the-art equipment and eligibility for a credential to pursue a field in high demand. We are excited to share this news with students in the Class of 2021 and beyond.”
Keefe Tech Director of Career and Technical Education John Brochu accepted the grant at a ceremony at Greater Lowell Technical School on Friday, March 3, 2017, which honored a total of 32 grant recipients across the state.
“We are excited about the addition of the Dental Assisting Program. This is a great opportunity for our students to participate in this high demand career STEM pathway. This program will add to the programs we currently offer so that additional students have the ability for area employment and continued education,” Brochu noted.
Keefe Tech will use the $397,150 grant to renovate classroom space and purchase equipment, including dental chairs, panoramic x-ray technology, sterilizers, and autoclaves for the anticipated roll out of the Dental Assisting Program for the 2017-2018 school year.
The program will incorporate rigorous STEM curriculum and career and technical training opportunities to students, responding to the much needed workforce training and community services. Students will be trained in the latest dental technologies including restorative procedures, prosthodontic procedures, preventive measures, radiation safety, dental radiography, exposure to orthodontic procedures and endodontic procedures. Certifications will include AED for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross, The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, and Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification.
The addition of a Dental Assisting Program to Keefe Tech’s career and technical curriculum is a direct response to a need that existed in the South Middlesex County area. “We were contacted by area dentists for students to work in a cooperative program,” explained Brochu. “After researching our local area, we discovered that there were no dental programs available and that there was not just a need, but also growth potential for future employment. We believe that this program will be extremely beneficial for students, who will be prepared to go directly into a field in high demand with valuable credentials,” he added.
