Wentworth's Boston Pipeline Expands to the Center for Skilled Trades
Wentworth was founded to provide "education in the technical arts" for local youth. For over 110 years, the university has been providing graduates from the city and the region with the necessary project-based education that fills the critical needs of our local economy as industry needs change.
In the current environment, where colleges and key industries seek creative responses to changing demographics, Wentworth is uniquely positioned to act as an anchor of higher education focused on providing residents from Boston, specifically those from historically excluded groups who do not pursue a four-year degree, with skills and credentials that prepare them for the ever-evolving workforce.
Based on the proven success that Wentworth’s Center for Community & Learning Partnerships has had in growing The Boston Pipeline through programs such as RAMP and Beacon Pathways, the university is launching new education-to-career pathways through the Center for Skilled Trades. The Center will provide high school graduates from Boston the opportunity to earn college credits while experiencing on-the-job training with aligned industry partners. In less than two years, students can earn credentials that lead to full-time employment. Or students can select to continue their education at the institution and earn a bachelor’s degree. While the construction industry is the focus at the start, Wentworth plans to expand into other strategic industries in the future including, but not limited to, life sciences, information technology, manufacturing, and clean energy.
Living in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Center for Skilled Trades will develop under the leadership of Erik Miller AAET ’04, BARC ’07, MARC ‘10, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement & Educational Access, who has been thoughtfully creating innovative, high-impact education-to-career opportunities for over a decade at the university. Additionally, after a thoughtful and equitable search process, the Center for Skilled Trades has hired two staff members: Beth Curtis, formerly of Institutional Advancement and External Relations at Wentworth, as Director of Operations & Development; and Gabrielle Guity, formerly of the Boston Private Industry Council, as Associate Director of Workforce Pathways & Student Support.
This concept is in the early stages of development, and the team will continue working extensively throughout 2022 to collaborate with key stakeholders across campus and beyond. If you are interested in learning more, getting involved, or recommending a high school graduate from Boston to participate in the first cohort starting in Fall 2022, please reach out to Beth Curtis at curtise1@wit.edu. You can also learn more at https://wit.edu/skilled-trades.