Porter and Chester Institute Launches iPads in the Classroom.

Posted on May 2, 2013 by porterchester

As Business Technology Evolves, PCI Innovates Curriculum and Tools to Better Prepare Students for Careers

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (April 30, 2013) – Porter and Chester Institute, a nationally ACCSC accredited technical school providing career training since 1946, is supplying iPads for students to use in the classroom in the Medical and Dental Assisting programs at four campuses. The iPads are part of a digital program designed to enhance the educational experience and ensure that students possess the digital proficiency that is required in the workforce, as well as eliminating wasteful and outdated textbooks, offering tech support and troubleshooting apps, and allowing for new teaching and exam methods.

“By providing students with iPads for the classroom, Porter and Chester will be able to produce more qualified and confident graduates who are comfortable with the most up-to-date technology. This is important to employers, who are now adopting these new technologies in their businesses,” said Jim Bologa, CEO of Porter and Chester. “The iPad digital initiative is just one example of how Porter and Chester Institute is increasing its investment in the futures of our students and staying current with the changing education landscape.”

The devices will be introduced at the Enfield and Rocky Hill, Conn., campuses as well as the Westborough and Woburn, Mass., campuses for the April semester start. The use of iPad’s was successfully piloted in the medical and dental assisting programs at the Chicopee campus last semester. The iPad program will be gradually rolled out to other disciplines at all nine campuses by 2014. Computer technology and design training programs have chosen laptops instead of iPads as the preferred tool for their industries. The iPads or laptops will be included in the students’ tuition fees, and the students are allowed to keep the devices post-graduation.

“Porter and Chester has already seen a great response from our students in the HVAC/R program, and our instructors find the iPad to be a very useful tool in the classroom,” said Dr. Christopher Molnar, curriculum specialist at Porter and Chester Institute. “We are starting to see iPads in use in a variety of professional industries that we train students for careers in, and employers are looking for tech-savvy students. Students will be able to take their iPads into the field and use their skills and apps to troubleshoot any problem.”

Porter and Chester tested and fully implemented the iPad program in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration classes over the past six months. Porter & Chester received positive feedback from instructors and students compelling the fully rollout of the digital program to all career disciplines.

About Porter and Chester Institute
Porter and Chester Institute, Inc., is a New England-based post-secondary institution with more than 65 years of experience in providing career training in skilled trades, automotive, computers, and healthcare professions. Founded in Connecticut in 1946, the institute trains more than 3,000 students annually through nine campuses in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Porter and Chester Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), approved by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, and licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Private Occupational School Education, Division of Professional Licensure. Porter and Chester Institute employs hands-on education to prepare students for successful technical careers. For more information, visit http://www.PorterChester.com

PCI Stands with Boston

Posted on April 19, 2013 by porterchester

The community of Porter and Chester Institute would like to show their support to the victims of the tragedy in Boston on April 15, 2013. A fundraiser will be held beginning April 22, 2013 with the proceeds going to One Fund Boston. Each campus will sell ‘B’s for Boston for $1 each. Porter and Chester Institute will match all donations collected at the campuses. Help us show support to those affected.

Porter and Chester launches new career training tool

Posted on February 22, 2013 by porterchester

Career EDGE underscores increased commitment to fostering professionalism, career success

Porter and Chester Institute is launching Career EDGE, an online career training tool that provides students with guidance in securing a job after completing their selected training programs. Available to current students starting today, Career EDGE offers interactive resume building, interviewing tips, career search programs, and a video library of advice and information.

“Career EDGE is just one example of how Porter and Chester Institute is increasing its investment in the futures of our students,” said Jim Bologa, CEO of Porter and Chester. “We’re continuously enhancing our professionalism coursework so that we can provide students with the tools and resources needed to approach a job search and pursue a chosen career with confidence.”

Coinciding with the introduction of Career EDGE, Porter and Chester Institute is hosting Career Services Week. Organized by the institute’s career services team, the weeklong event is designed to help students at various stages of their education. Career Services Week will be held for students at all nine of its campuses in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Topics covered include: professionalism, personal finance, resume writing and interviewing skills.

Career EDGE and Career Services Week supplement existing professionalism resources at Porter and Chester Institute. Each campus employs full-time career services advisors dedicated to helping students secure a placement and ease into a newfound professional role. The institute’s specialists offer guidance with resumes, job hunts, interviews and overall career management.

Porter and Chester Institute has been providing career training for more than 65 years and specializes in skilled trades, automotive, computers and healthcare. The institute trains more than 3,000 students annually across nine campuses in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), approved by the Connecticut Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education, and licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Private Occupational School Education, Division of Professional Licensure.

About Porter and Chester Institute

Porter and Chester Institute, Inc., is a New England-based post-secondary institution with more than 65 years of experience in providing career training in skilled trades, automotive, computers, and healthcare professions. Founded in Connecticut in 1946, the institute trains more than 3,000 students annually through nine campuses in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Porter and Chester Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), approved by the Connecticut Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education, and licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Private Occupational School Education, Division of Professional Licensure. Porter and Chester Institute employs hands-on education to prepare students for successful technical careers. For more information, visit www.PorterChester.com.

Getting to know your PCI Neighbors – Brian Boyce

Posted on November 29, 2012 by plattform

Name: Brian Boyce

Nickname: NotLateForFood

Hometown: Eastford CT

Department: Information Technology

What is your roll at PCI? IT Director

How long have you been with PCI? 11 years

What are some proud moments you have had? Personally: More than 20 years of marriage with the same spouse, and eight wonderful children.

Professionally: Managing IT for over 400 faculty and staff and roughly 3000 students with just 2 people in my department. Jim Ferris is the secret weapon and he is the primary ingredient for any current success we experience.

I’m proud of having an influence on my students who have become successful professionals.

I helped build the Westborough campus and team which in turn became the staging ground and catalyst for the Eastern Massachusetts footprint.

Consolidating disparate class databases, Launching CampusVue, Eleads Express API, Ethority and now implementing Portal.

What is your favorite part about PCI? The people; I love working with the faculty, staff and students. I especially miss the close interaction I had with students as a DOE/Campus Director. My current role has me a little insulated from the student body. I try to talk with students whenever I get a chance.

What do you do in your spare time? Shotokan Karate, Running, Coaching Soccer, Guitar, Piano Wildlife Observation and cooking, but I hate cleaning the messes I make.

What is something people may not know about you? I owned a 1972 GMC School Bus. I planned to renovate it into a camper and drive cross country and live in Berkley California and become a non student left. I use to sell T-shirts at Grateful Dead concerts in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. After Gerry Garcia died I hung up the tie die and learned to embrace a much more conservative lifestyle. I think many people would be surprised that Wednesday bow tie wearing, clean-cut geek in the corner is a reformed commie/hippie.

If you could meet one person (alive or dead), who and why? I wish this question allowed me to pick fictional characters like Yoda or Gandalf, but that’s a cop out and It is too easy but polarizing to pick Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohamed, or Buda. It is too safe to go with folks like Sun Tzu, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates or Confucius. So …

The person I would like to meet most at this time is my Great-Great Grandmother on my Father’s Side. She was 100% Native American (Sioux Tribe). I can easily trace my European ancestry back to the 13^th century and probably further because of the written records kept by the church and state. I know nothing of my Native ancestry because there are no written records. It is my desire to know what is unknown.

I’m pretty certain that answer to this question will change over time.

Getting to know your PCI Neighbors – Gerald Sears

Posted on November 29, 2012 by plattform

Name: Gerald Sears

Nickname: Jerry

Hometown: Hampton, NH

Department: Automotive

What is your roll at PCI? Instructor of Automotive Technology

How long have you been with PCI? 14 months

What are some of the proud moments you have had? Observing students think outside the box for problem solving. The success in industry of former students.

What is your favorite part about PCI? The hands-on learning students receive and classroom discussions.

What do you do in your spare time? Enjoy watching my son play baseball and television sporting events.

What is something people may not know about you? I am a cat lover

If you could meet one person (alive or dead), who and why? Benjamin Franklin – I admire his accomplishments such as his inventions and famous quotes.

Westborough’s Porter and Chester Walks for Cancer Awareness

Posted on November 29, 2012 by plattform

Congrats to Team PCI of Westborough for partaking in the UMass Medicine Cancer Walk on Sunday September 23rd and for helping to raise close to $1,500 for the cause. Thanks to all who raised funds, donated and or walked.

Learn more about the walk and Team PCI.

PCI Instructor Named 2012 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year

Posted on November 26, 2012 by plattform

Michael Makowsky, an Automotive instructor has been named 2012 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year. Mr. Makowsky has been an automotive instructor at the Porter and Chester Institute in Watertown, Conn. for six years, where he has been full-time for the past two years and was part-time for four years. His automotive career also includes experience working at various Chevrolet dealerships for 35 years. Click here to read more about the award and Michael.