Representative Kara Rochelle (D‑Ansonia)’s proposed legislation received unanimous, bipartisan approval Thursday by the Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement. H.B. 5833, An Act Establishing a Pilot Program for the Expansion of Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Programs, will next be voted on by the House this session.
The bill aims to establish a pilot program to expand advanced manufacturing certificate programs offered by regional community-technical colleges to up to eight public high schools throughout the state.
Students from the selected school and surrounding high schools will be able to apply and participate in the certificate program, which will be available to students free of cost.
Rochelle toured the Housatonic Community College Advanced Manufacturing Program a year ago and learned of efforts to create a partnership with Derby High School.
At Housatonic Community College, this same certificate program costs $8,500. Credits earned in Rep. Rochelle’s pilot program will count toward both the student’s high school credits and toward the Advanced Manufacturing certificate program. The bill also requires night and weekend classes to be available for adults.
“I would also like to thank my Derby colleagues Minority Leader Themis Klarides and Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria for recently signing on to support my bill, touring the Derby facility, and producing a video to highlight the program,” Rochelle said in a prepared statement.
Information taken from a press release.
