At Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham, many students stay involved long after graduation.
Keefe invests in each individual in their Career Technical Initiative (CTI) program, helping them build in-demand skills and establish trade career paths for long-term success. When these students have completed the program and found employment, they return as instructors, mentors, advisors - even as professional technicians - to use their skills to support those coming after them.
Peter McGinn was working part-time at a restaurant when he decided to pursue a trade career. Though his father was a plumber, he hadn’t considered becoming a plumber himself until he saw a great opportunity to get practical experience at Keefe and position himself for a rewarding career.
In Massachusetts, around 20 percent of high school graduates pursue Career Technical Education. “Not a lot of people go into the trades. Programs like these show you that it’s an option and give you the opportunity to try it out and see if it’s right for you,” McGinn shares.
Program Manager for CTI Programs, Soraya Winters, reflects on meeting Peter as he enrolled at Keefe. “I knew right away that we wouldn’t let him go. He was motivated, serious, and focused. He asked the right questions. I know he’s going to go far,” says Winter.
Peter enrolled in Keefe’s 200-hour plumbing course, including 110 hours of code and theory studies, as part of the Massachusetts five-tier program. He and his fellow students gained key trade skills, received OSHA certifications, completed hands-on projects based on lessons, and enhanced their employability.
Through this program, Peter gained more than just plumbing skills, learning from the experience of trying something new. He had support to build resumés and craft applications, improving his writing skills in addition to his technical capabilities. Near the end of the course, Peter attended a job fair organized by Keefe. While there, he met the General Manager of Flaherty Plumbing and set up an interview. He was hired, and soon after, started as an apprentice plumber.
When Keefe recently decided to make upgrades to the facility, they contracted Flaherty Plumbing to work on the upgrades, allowing Peter to return to Keefe—this time as a full-time plumber. “It’s great being able to come back to Keefe and display the skills I learned there in the field,” McGinn says.
"Peter leaves his mark everywhere he goes. His employer is thrilled to have him on board,” shares Winter. “The reputation of our program is elevated because of his work ethic and demeanor.”
The support that students at Keefe receive from instructors and administrators is a main factor in their success. Peter’s instructor, Heather Meany—a former Keefe student—always takes interest and initiative in making sure each student succeeds. When students face barriers to attending and completing programs through Keefe, administrators like Soraya work to ensure a solution is found.
“Peter was an outstanding student. I knew from the moment I met him that he was in this for the long haul. He is very driven and so intelligent. He loves learning and enjoys challenges,” Meany shares. “I have no doubt that he will do great things, and I am incredibly proud of him. Even though I was just a small stepping stone on his journey through plumbing, he will always be my star student.”
Today, Peter has achieved his goal of full-time employment in a career he can grow in. Looking to his future, he sees the possibility to pursue post-secondary education and even start his own company.
Keefe’s goal is simple: to help local students find high-quality jobs in their area. CTI programs at Keefe give people from all backgrounds the opportunity to dive into trades and find employment in their community, and the dedication of the school and its students ensures that everyone who wants to pursue a trade career can contribute to their community in a
meaningful way.