Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts program is designed not only to provide students with the skills necessary for successful employment in the food service industry, but also the opportunity to earn a National Certificate through the ProStart program.

The ProStart program includes an industry-driven curriculum designed by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association to teach, test, and award industry-recognized certificates to students meeting the program criteria.  The curriculum covers 25 subject areas including: safety, sanitation, use of ingredients, tools and equi9pment, cooking methods, nutrition, food cost, menu planning, business management and much more.

In our fully equipped commercial kitchen, students receive instruction in all areas of food preparation and baking while practicing shop safety and food service sanitation.  In the restaurant, which is open to the public, students practice all areas of customer service from set-ting tables to taking orders using our state-of-the-art Point-of-Sale computer system.

Curriculum

• Preparation of foods served in the Culinary Arts restaurant
• Sanitation
• Kitchen Safety
• Food Service Equipment
• Using Standardized Recipes
• Cooking Methods
• Stocks, Sauces, Soups
• Fish & Shellfish
• Meat & Poultry
• Breads & Desserts
• Restaurant Management
• Menu Planning
• Nutrition

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you like to prepare food?

Are you in good health?

Can you plan ahead?

Do you have artistic and creative ability?

Do you have the patience and ability to get along with people?

Can you work as a member of a large team?

Do you have the stamina to work hard and fast when the occasion arises?

Can you function well under pressure?

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Vocational/Technical High School Graduate:

Cook

Coffee Shop Attendant

Baker

Waiter/Waitress

Short Order Cook

Counter Server

Bakery Helper

School Lunch Personnel

Prep Cook

With Further Education/Experience:

Chef

Assistant Chef

Kitchen Manager

Purchasing Agent

Hotel Manager

Airline Food Manager

Instructor

Steward

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

Holyoke Community College

Hospitality Management (14 credits)

Cosmetology

The Cosmetology program provides students with the opportunity to become licensed cosmetologists. This involves training in current theory and extensive practical training. Instruction includes all phases of cosmetic care including shampooing techniques, hair shaping, hair coloring, permanent waving, roller sets, relaxers, facials, scalp treatments, manicuring, and make up.

In our active on-site cosmetology laboratory, the students gain skills in the use of  materials, equipment, and safety practices through hands-on demonstrations, supervised practice sessions, and interactive Smartboard.  Students also learn about sciences related to the field as well as develop business practices necessary to work in, manage, and own a salon. Upon successful course completion, which includes the required 1,000 instructional cosmetology hours, students are qualified to take the State Cosmetology Board examination for licensing. 

Curriculum

• History and Opportunities
• Infection Control
• Chemistry and Electricity
• Haircutting
• Wet Hairstyling
• Removal of Hair
• Chemical Texture Services
• Hair Coloring
• Facials and makeup
• Nail and Skin Structure and their Disorders
• Manicuring and Pedicuring
• Wigs and Hair Enhancements
• Thermal Hair Straightening
• Salon Business Skills
• SkillsUSA

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you have a desire to work in an fast-paced, exciting, and constantly changing field?

Does your health allow you to stand during work?

Do you like to work creatively with your hands?

Are you outgoing and able to communicate with the public?

Do you find yourself critiquing hairstyles of movie stars?

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Vocational/Technical High School Graduate:

Operator/Receptionist

Skin Care Specialist

Haircutting Specialist

Coloring Specialist

Permanent Wave Specialist

Curl Restructuring Specialist

Desairologist

Salon Manager/Owner

Manicure Specialist

Product Sales Consultant

Further Opportunities in Related Fields:

Merchandiser

Artificial Nail Technician

Chemical Researcher/Developer

Beauty Columnist

Instructor

Laser Technologist

State Board Member/Investigator

Theater or Paramedical Make-up Artist

Licensed Aesthetician or Manicurist

Required Academic Courses

       Junior Year:               Entrepreneur

                                            Anatomy & Physiology I

       Senior Year:               Anatomy & Physiology II

                                            Microsoft Office

Carpentry

The Mill, Cabinet Making, and House Carpentry program provides students with the knowledge and skills for employment in the residential, commercial, or industrial trades of today. Students learn the safe and proper operating procedures of basic hand and power tools including the newest technical tools in the lab or on job-site construction projects.

Students will also learn handwork fundamentals, rough and finish carpentry including complete house framing, shingling, and interior and exterior applications. Juniors and seniors may also prepare for careers in the areas of painting, decorating, and finishing.

Practical experience is available for students in a modern, well-equipped industrial shop as well as on-site work in the house-building program. Classroom studies included in this program are safety, trade science, blueprint reading, computer aided design, estimating, trade math, architectural drawing, building materials, and building codes.

Curriculum

• Tool identification
• Safety, care, and use of tools and power equipment, portable and stationary
• Millwork cabinet making
• Complete house building
• On-site construction
• Drafting and blueprint reading
• AutoCAD and ArchiCAD
• Drywall and taping
• Wall coverings
• Finish Spraying

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you like working with wood, tools and machines?

Do you take pride in a job well done?

Do you have a good mechanical aptitude?

Are you willing to accept responsibility?

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Vocational/Technical High School Graduate:

Apprentice Carpenter or Painter

Mill Carpenter

Apprentice Cabinet Maker

Window/Door Mill Fabricator

Furniture Related Machine Operator

Commercial Carpenter

Furniture Finisher

Paint/Carpentry Salesperson

With Further Education/Experience:

Developer

Building Contractor

Journeymen Commercial Construction

Construction Supervisor

Construction Estimator

Patternmaker

Antique Refinisher

Paint Contractor

CAD Designer

Certifications

OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety

Certificate

Automotive Technology

The Automotive Technology program is certified by NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Inc.) and AYES (Automotive Youth Educational Systems). These certifications require ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified instructors train students in the necessary basic skills needed in order to meet an entry- level automotive technician's job requirements. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in the use of technical manuals, tools, and equipment commonly employed in automotive service work.  The major emphasis of this work is for students to gain a broad understanding of the scientific principles of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems found in the modern automobile.

The Automotive Technology Department is a fully operational twelve bay automotive service and repair facility equipped with a state-of-the-art computerized diagnostic center, computerized technical library, six lifts and a large power train laboratory for training in six areas of NATEF and AYES automotive technology competencies. 

The goal of the program is to prepare students to take and pass ASE and AYES certification tests in the following areas: Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Brakes, Heating, Suspension & Steering, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and Engine Performance.

While national certification is not currently mandated, it can provide greater opportunities for employment, higher rates of pay and greater mobility since the certification standards are recognized nationally. 

Curriculum

Understanding and repair of:

• Engines
• Power trains
• Transmissions
• Steering systems
• Braking systems
• Electrical systems
• Use of diagnostic and testing equipment and tools used in the repair process.

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you like working on vehicles?

Do you have a good work ethic?

Do you like to work with your hands and mind?

Do you have you the patience for specializing and working with systems that update yearly?

Would you like a trade that allows you to seek employment anywhere in the world?

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Vocational/Technical High School Graduate:

Dealership Car or Truck Technician

Independent Repair Shop Technician

Franchise Repair Shop Technician

Specialty Service Technician

Electronics Specialist Technician

Diagnostic Technician

Automotive Recycling Technician

Fleet Repair Technician

With Further Education/Experience:

Dealership or Independent Service Manager

Dealership or Independent Service Writer

Dealership or Independent Parts Specialist

Dealership or Independent Sales Person

Recreational Vehicle Service Worker

Off Road Construction Service Worker

Insurance Claims Adjuster

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

University of Northwestern Ohio

Suspension and Steering (6 credits)

Hydraulic Brake Systems (6 credits)

Service and Procedure-I (6 credits)

Universal Technical Institute

New England Institute of Technology R.I.

Certifications

NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Inc.)

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)

AYES (Automotive Youth Educational Systems)

S/P2 Safety and Pollution Prevention

Auto Body

The Auto Body program is certified by NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation). The program provides students with the basic skills of repairing and refinishing vehicles in today's auto industry. Certified instructors, through the standards of NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) give students the technical and practical (hands-on) training needed to obtain job entry skills.

The technical related training is provided in the classroom and will give students the technical knowledge needed for the practical training in the shop area. Classroom and shop instruction focus on safety and the principles of physics, science and math in relation to the Auto Body trade. Students will have practical training with the use of welding, straightening and refinishing equipment, and a variety of hand and air powered tools.

Students have the opportunity to apply their skills on practice modules and vehicles owned by city and county residents. The training consists of straightening, replacing, removing, installing and refinishing body panels as well as plastic bumper and fiberglass repair.

This shop is equipped with state-of-the-art hand and air powered tools, as well as painting refinishing equipment, a paint mixing machine, prep stations, a down-draft spray booth and a frame straightening machine.

Curriculum

• I-CAR/ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) based curriculum
• Painting and refinishing
• Non-structural damage repair
• Structural damage repair
• Plastic and adhesive repair
• Mechanical and electrical repair

Questions to ask yourself:

Do you have any interest in cars and trucks?

Do you pay attention to details?

Do you have good mechanical aptitude?

Are you willing to work until a job is perfect?

Do you have a good work ethic?

Do you have good eye-hand coordination?

Required Academic Courses

Junior and Senior Year: Automotive Electronics

Recommended Courses

Small Business Management

Microsoft Office I

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Vocational/Technical High School Graduate:

Auto Body Refinishing Technician

Auto Body Repair Technician

Auto Glass Repair Technician

Auto Body Jobber (sales and supply)

Dealership Parts Person

Collision Damage Estimator

Frame and Uni-Body Technician

Fiberglass RV and Watercraft Body Repair Technician

With Further Education/Experience:

Insurance Claims Adjuster

Factory Paint Representative

Body Shop Manager/Owner

Certifications

NATEF (National Automotive Technicians

Education Foundation)