From Layoffs to New Careers: CTI Training at FCTS Helps Adults Rebuild Their Futures

In Western Massachusetts, Franklin County Technical School (FCTS) is proving that trade education isn’t just about learning a skill; it’s about changing lives. Through its partnership with the Career Technical Initiative (CTI), administered by Commonwealth Corporation, FCTS has become a beacon of opportunity for adults seeking a new career path. Two recent students, Zephyr Lorusso and Li-Ming Dolan, are evidence of that impact.

“Franklin County Tech is an institution that is working hard to prepare folks of every generation for high-paying, blue-collar vocational jobs,” said Justin Lawrence, Adult Education Coordinator at FCTS. Serving urban centers and rural communities across three states, FCTS aims to reach a diverse population through hands-on, practical training.

That mission found new momentum in 2022, when FCTS became a CTI grantee during round 6 of the initiative. “That initial two years with the CTI grant gave us the opportunity to really springboard into what we’re doing now,” Lawrence explained. “The superintendent gave us a charge to make Franklin Tech a source of advancement for everyone in the county – not just our high school students.”

CTI’s support allowed the school to launch adult education programs and build strong community partnerships with organizations like MassHire and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The focus is breaking down barriers to training and employment. “We’ve adopted some of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and approached each individual to make sure they have everything they need to be the best student they can be,” Lawrence added. “It really helps them to find good jobs at the end of the day.”

For student Zephyr Lorusso, CTI opened the door to a career she thought she had left behind. “I live in Bernardston, Massachusetts, and my apprenticeship is in Brattleboro, Vermont, at Westinghouse Electric Company,” she said. Her division designs and builds remotely piloted robots that clean and maintain nuclear reactors — work requiring precision and ingenuity.

Before joining the program, Zephyr had been working as a software engineer. “I was laid off in 2023 due to shifts in the industry — especially with AI making jobs harder to find,” she shared. After a short time in customer service and finance, she turned to Franklin County Tech. “I’ve always loved building things and seeing solutions come together. That’s what drew me to electrical work.”

The hands-on training made the difference. “The weekly labs helped reinforce wiring best practices, safety protocols, and confidence in working with electrical systems. I had some theoretical knowledge from college, but Franklin County gave me real-world training,” Zephyr said.

CTI helped her build that bridge with confidence. “The staff, especially Justin, were incredibly supportive. CTI created the environment where I felt prepared and confident to apply.” Now at Westinghouse, Zephyr sees this chapter as a return to something she loved years ago. “I was on the robotics team in high school. This role brought that passion back.”

Li-Ming Dolan’s experience shows another side of CTI’s impact. She lives in Northampton and now works as an auto technician at Jaguar in Hartford. After spending most of her adult life as a restaurant server, she knew she needed a long-term plan. “There’s no real career advancement, no retirement plan. I’m almost 40 and I need to start investing in my future,” she said.

It all started with a simple goal: fix her teenager’s used car. “I bought the car for $1,500 and started fixing it myself. I was just looking for a basic class.” That search led her to the CTI program at Franklin County Tech. “It was free, offered tools, and was way more in-depth than I expected. Plus, it fit my schedule since it was in the evenings.”

What began as a hobby became a new career. “I applied to two places, got interviews at both, and received offers from both. I chose Jaguar.” She’s already seeing new doors open. “Jaguar is sending me to their training headquarters this fall or winter. That feels amazing – to have a big international company invest in me, especially as a woman in this field.”

CTI’s impact on her life is clear. “It gave me the tools and the confidence to pursue something new without huge financial risk. CTI gives people the opportunity to try a new path with real support. CTI turned me from a DIY mechanic to an actual Jaguar technician. That’s amazing.”

Stories like Zephyr’s and Li-Ming’s show just how transformative the partnership between Franklin County Technical School and CTI has been — not just for individuals, but for entire communities. As Lawrence puts it, “CTI does a wonderful job of removing barriers for participants. We’re trying to help folks who qualify for the grant funding access the trainings and then continue to support them after they’ve graduated in finding employment.”

With a focus on meeting each person’s needs, staying connected to employer trends, and building programs that match the moment, the CTI model is working. “We are always providing the most up-to-date training for our students, making them the most attractive to employers,” Lawrence said. And for students like Zephyr and Li-Ming, the impact is not just a job — it’s a new beginning.