rendering of the front exterior of a vet tech clinic's separate entrance from the attached worcester technical high school

Our Work > Case Story

Career and Technical Education

Keeping up with the changing needs of industry and evolving local economies is a challenge that our career and technical (CTE) schools are constantly trying to meet. Designing spaces to accommodate the various CTE programs offered in the public schools offers LPA|A the opportunity to draw upon the wide range of experience the firm has acquired through our diverse portfolio of work.

One of the firm’s early defining projects was the New England Carpenters Training Center completed more than 30 years ago. The biggest project for the firm at that time, it was a major success that would lead to increasing expertise in vocational and technical educational facilities.

Key Contacts

Robert F. Para Jr.

Principal

AIA

Christopher M. Lee

Design Director

LEED AP, CSL

Christina S. Bazelmans

Programming and Sustainability Director

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Monty Tech Students Build Veterinary Clinic

LPA|A was the architect for Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School’s new veterinary clinic, which has enabled new program offerings for the school. In addition to the opportunity to expand programs in the veterinary field, the project provided a learning opportunity for students across eight different trades programs, with the construction of the facility serving as a class project during the two years it was being built.

students at monty tech veterinary clinic

Governor Baker talks with Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School juniors learning carpentry trades

“LPA|A was the firm that designed Worcester Tech. The facility was rated as one of the top 10 in the country for its architectural design. In addition, the lay-out and design was instrumental in the transformation of our school.”

Sheila Harrity, Former Principal, Worcester Technical High School

Superintendent, Montachusett Technical High School

Worcester Technical High School's Links to Local Industry

The Worcester Technical High School was designed to support a new paradigm integrating academic and technical training, and was recognized nationally as a model for contemporary technical high schools. More than ten years later, LPA|A is once again helping the school expand its reach and further strengthen its connection to industry in Central Massachusetts. Visioning sessions have explored ways to offer continuing education opportunities for trade programs and to better integrate services to the broader Worcester community.

Comprehensive High Schools in Worcester Expand CTE Offerings

Both Doherty Memorial High and South High Community School in Worcester were able to add or expand Chapter 74 Vocational/Technical programs through their building projects. At South High, programs in Culinary, Early Education, Diesel Technology, and nonprofit business training through their student-run 501(c)3 Andy’s Attic have the specialized spaces they need. And Doherty was able to add programming and web development; marketing, management and finance; and construction craft laborer to their existing engineering and technology program.

In Service to the Community

LPA|A coordinated with the Worcester Public Schools and Fontaine Brothers and Dimeo Construction to hold several job fairs, inviting seniors from across the city of Worcester to meet potential employers and union representatives. Students were able to meet with over a dozen union and trades representatives, some of which were the sub contractors already working on site, and in some cases creating opportunities to actually join the teams building Doherty High for the next generation of Worcester students.