VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Pathways to Production Program- Manufacturing Associate Certificate Program

This program was implemented in November of 2023 to prepare inmates for employment within the manufacturing industry as part of reentry planning. As part of the program inmates will participate in the SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate training which is an industry recognized certification focused on basic manufacturing concepts. The process of earning the certification prepares the inmates with the fundamentals and knowledge of the industry and the respected certification provides recognition of the individual’s demonstrated competencies. This is a 60-hour instructor led program, which will cover fundamental topics such as shop math, assembly, maintenance, machining, inspection, and more. Additional content includes a (9) hour module on career preparation and coaching. During this module, students will receive tools and experiences to help them progress in their professional career development. Students will self-assess personal strengths, skills, competencies, and values as the basis for developing sustainable career goals. Drawing on past experience, education, and transferable skills, as well as on their current training program. Students will create an up-to-date effective resume, will also identify potential places of employment, actively participate in the job placement process and will receive a one-hour individual coaching session. Completion of the training will provide the participant with a nationally recognized Manufacturing Associate Certificate from Tooling U-SME, OSHA-10 Certificate and access to job placement services through MassMEP.  This program is funded by MassHire and MassMEP and is offered to sentenced inmates. 

ServSafe Food Safety Program

This program is based on the Certified Professional Food Manager Manual.  The 10 weeks course is designed to teach participants how to handle food properly to prevent food borne illness. The course covers all the key topics that are critical to food safety, including preventing cross-contamination, understanding food-borne illnesses, and implementing proper food handling procedures. Participants receive a National Certified certificate upon passing a written examination.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA-10 Program

The 10-hour National Certified training course teaches health and basic safety in construction and general industry. The course assists participants to identify and avoid workplace hazards. The OSHA program explains serious workplace hazards, workers' rights and duties, and employers’ responsibilities. Participants receive a National Certified OSHA-10 card upon passing a written examination.

Welding Program

This 82 hour program allows students to obtain industry recognized credentials including OSHA 10, Hot Work, and American Welding Society D1.1 Welder Qualification. Students are taught the fundamentals of welding and math for welding in a classroom setting. Welding simulators are utilized to practice welds and angles and hands on welding takes place in the BCSO welding shop on campus. The Welding program is taught by a vocational education-welding instructor from Old Colony Vocational and Technical School, in Rochester, MA.

Electrical Program

This is an introduction to electrical technology. The course provides an overview of the opportunities that are available to achieve a successful career in the lucrative electrical field. The course is delivered through classroom lectures, hands on learning, online learning and use of electrical simulators. The vocational program teaches students how to install various wire methods used in the residential and commercial buildings with hands-on learning. Participants learn how to use trade specific tools and materials safety. The course will explore electrical theory and hoe to maneuver the National Electrical Code (NEC) book.  Participants who successfully complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion at the conclusion of the electrical course.

Road to Reentry Success: CDL Training Program

This Program was implemented in November of 2023 to provides educational and career advancement to incarcerated individuals. The curriculum and instruction is aligned with the content standard for adult education and is designed to launch students on a career pathway that is in demand and offers career advancement.

This is a MassSTEP (Skills, Training, and Education Programming) funded program from the Adult Community Learning Services (ACLS) of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide concurrent adult education, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training contextualized to the commercial driving license requirements and curriculum. Students will participate in Adult Education services to earn a high school equivalency credential while earning industry recognized credentials from the MA Department of Transportation (MA Medical DOT card, MA Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), and a MA Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

The instructional delivery for the program will include the contracted CDL drivers education instructor, contracted OSHA 10 technical trainer, and the BCSO adult education instructors will be teaching the same students within BCSO classrooms. Curriculum will be coordinated so that the students are learning the language and math skills needed to earn the commercial driver’s license (CDL) permit and license.  During the last phase of the program which is the hands on driving lessons will take place at an off-site training facility within the community. Collectively the instructors will deliver 182-190 hours of classroom instruction.

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