TCTC open house draws hundreds to Dexter campus

By Mike Lange Staff Writer
    DEXTER — The Tri-County Technical Center’s (TCTC) open house on Sept. 26 drew one of the biggest crowds in recent memory

to the Dexter Regional High School campus. Parents and other interested adults toured the facilities, and students discussed their post-secondary careers with representatives from colleges and the Maine Army National Guard.
    “We always get a nice turnout for these events,” said Brian Welsh, director of student services. “Parents want to see how their kids are doing first-hand; and by bringing in the college representatives, students can discuss their post-secondary options on the same night.”
    Welsh said that employers “are very concerned about the ‘skills gap’ in Maine, and that’s what we’re addressing. We have 260 enrolled right now and we’re headed toward 313.”
    Observer photo/Mike Lange
    DISCUSSING CAREER OPTIONS — Sgt. Andrei Mellits, a recruiter for the Maine Army National Guard, discusses career options and educational opportunities with Jake McSwine of Milo, a senior at Penquis Valley High School.
    The college fair was set up in the building trades section of TCTC, which gave the exhibitors more room than in recent years. “This is a nice setup. We’ve had a lot of kids and their parents stop by and inquire about the courses we offer,” said Gina Fasulo of Thomas College.
    Sgt. Andrei Mellits, a recruiter from the Maine Army National Guard, said that the number of students who filled out cards requesting more information about the program was much higher than last year. “The community is very supportive of the military, and we’re grateful,” Mellits said.
    TCTC offers courses in commercial truck driving, computer systems repair, criminal justice, culinary arts, graphic design and communication, health occupations and metals manufacturing.
    TCTC is one of only seven schools in Maine certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (NATEF) (ASE) in suspension and steering, brake systems, electrical/electronic systems and engine performance.
 Observer photo/Mike Lange
    KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ — TCTC’s commercial truck driving course has 23 students enrolled this year including, from left, Logan Bagley of Harmony, Shawn Emery of Williamsburg and Haleigh White of Guilford. 
    The commercial truck driving program has 23 students enrolled with several on a waiting list, according to instructors Vicki Kimball and Jim White. “We’re on our way to being the first school in Maine offering this course to earn national certification,” White said. “Basically, when a student successfully graduates from the course, it accelerates the process toward obtaining their full CDL Class A license.”
    Kimball said that the school operates just like a regular trucking company. “We do pre-employment drug screening and have very strict attendance standards,” Kimball said. “We’re preparing these kids for the real world, so it has to be that way. By the end of the year, they’ll be hauling loads on our highways.”
    In addition to Dexter-based AOS 94, TCTC educates students from SAD 4 (Guilford area), SAD 68 (Dover-Foxcroft area), SAD 41 (Milo-Brownville area) and Union 60 (Greenville area). More information about TCTC is posted at www.aos94.org.