BILLERICA — Shawsheen Adult Education has announced two new strategic partnerships designed to address workforce shortages in emergency medical services and municipal water treatment. These collaborations respond to the growing demand for skilled professionals in both fields, providing accessible, high-quality education for adult learners pursuing certification and career advancement.
The partnership between Shawsheen and Metrowest EMS educators will deliver a 160-hour comprehensive emergency medical technician program. This course exceeds both national and state curriculum standards for EMTs, equipping students to take the national and Massachusetts certification exams. The course will be offered in a hybrid format, combining self-paced online coursework with in-person, hands-on training, starting on Wednesday, Oct. 2. According to ONET Online, the demand for EMTs and paramedics in Massachusetts is expected to grow 14% annually through 2030, emphasizing the importance of this program.
Shawsheen’s new partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission comes in response to local town managers highlighting the challenges of filling skilled municipal water treatment positions. Further research, confirmed by labor market data from MassHire Metro North, identified approximately 150 unfilled jobs in the Greater Boston area, underscoring the need for professionals in this field.
To address this demand, Shawsheen is partnering with NEIWPCC to introduce an “Introduction to Municipal Water Treatment” course as part of its fall 2024 program. Additionally, a free seminar titled “Flush to Fresh: Working in the World of Wastewater” will be held on Nov. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. This seminar will highlight career opportunities and pathways in the wastewater industry.
“The role of Shawsheen’s adult education program is to provide enrichment, certificate, and licensure programs to the citizens in our community,” said Director of Communications and Community Partnerships Allison Cammarata. “We aim to offer programs that align with local workforce needs and economic trends while maintaining high educational standards. Our goal is to create career pathways that benefit both our students and the regional economy.”
Shawsheen’s fall 2024 Adult Education program offers a variety of new courses alongside its established programs. Classes are open to the community, with rolling start dates now through December.
For more information or to register for courses, including the free “Flush to Fresh” seminar, visit ShawsheenTech.asapconnected.com. Inquiries can be directed to adulted@shawsheentech.org.