Jump start your future with the Career Academy

About

CTECS’ Career Academy is a unique collaboration between the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System and public schools in Connecticut. A limited number of seats are available for eligible grade 10 through 12 students to train in several in-demand career fields, including facilities carpentry; culinary; hairdressing, cosmetology and barbering; and automotive collision and repair.

The program graduates students with career certificates and industry-recognized credentials, providing them a jump-start on their career by preparing them with technical and employability skills aligned with entry-level industry positions. Additionally, students who complete the program graduate with career and technical education (CTE) credits towards a high school diploma.

Grade 10 through 12 students from Connecticut high schools can participate in the program, which operates after-school or during the school day, depending on the location. Students who attend the day program go to their sending school for academics in the morning, and then are bussed to the Career Academy for afternoon CTE classes.

Benefits

  • Industry Recognized Certifications
  • Credits Towards a High School Diploma

  • Convenient Schedule

  • Transportation Provided

  • Creative, Hands-on Activity

Career Academy locations

Wilcox Technical High School, Meriden

The Career Academy at Wilcox Tech

Wilcox Tech’s Career Academy operates in collaboration with Meriden Public Schools. Programs include Facilities Carpentry; Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Barbering; Culinary; and Automotive Collision and Repair.

Learn more

What our students are saying

“I wanted to come to the Career Academy because I like hands-on work and I want to be able to build stuff for myself in the future, instead of hiring someone else to do it. I have goals I want to work towards.”

Nathan Cintron, Carpentry

“I’ve done baking and cooking in the past, but I’ve never taken a real serious class. The Career Academy is helping me for my future career and will help build my resume.”

Tyler Kohlun, Grade 10, Culinary

“I would encourage students to try the Career Academy because you learn a lot of skills you wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Skyler Travis, Grade 11, Culinary

In the news

  • CT lawmakers at Vinal Tech

Lawmakers visit Middletown to highlight CT tech schools hours extension

May 25th, 2021|Comments Off on Lawmakers visit Middletown to highlight CT tech schools hours extension

Middletown Press Staff May 19, 2021 MIDDLETOWN — Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz visited Vinal Technical High School recently to highlight Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposal for the use of federal COVID-19 recovery funding that Connecticut is receiving from the [...]

  • Wilcox Tech Precision Machining students in shop

Wilcox Tech Launches Career Academy in Partnership with Meriden Public Schools

February 11th, 2021|Comments Off on Wilcox Tech Launches Career Academy in Partnership with Meriden Public Schools

In collaboration with Meriden Public Schools, H.C. Wilcox Technical High School, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), opened an afterschool, career and technical education (CTE) program for grade 10 and [...]