WESTFIELD (WWLP) – Students at the Westfield Technical Academy are among many across the state learning important skills for in-demand careers.
Just this week, there has been a greater push at the state level to increase funding specifically for vocational schools all across Massachusetts. Governor Charlie Baker’s fiscal 2017 budget is showing that he wants technical school funding to go up to nearly $5.5 million— up from the $3 million it received in the 2016 budget
Westfield Technical Academy Principal Stefan Czaporowski, the new Westfield Schools Superintendent, said that right now, they typically need to use grant money to buy specialty machines and equipment.
“Our budgets typically don’t have that type of money to be able to purchase that sort of equipment. Our manufacturing program alone, some of the equipment there costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and cities just don’t have the funding these days,” Czaporowski said.
He argued more funding is needed so these schools can keep equipment up-to-date with what’s being using in today’s workforce.
