Ribbon Cutting at Canton's New Porter and Chester Institute

By Judy Bass

The power of career education, even in a volatile economy, was affirmed recently when the Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) that offers career training in several professions such as automotive technology, dental assisting and electrical had a festive ribbon cutting ceremony at its campus at 5 Campanelli Circle in Canton.

Among the notable speakers were State , Canton selectman , John Nesti of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, and lead guidance counselor Sarah Titus of .

Titus, a Canton resident, spoke appreciatively of how job-based education such as that provided at Porter and Chester makes students “more marketable,” particularly if they are continuing the career training they began in a superb technical high schools like Blue Hills. 

Following the event, Titus said, “At Blue Hills Regional, I see first-hand the value of technical education at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. With PCI now open in Canton, our graduates have a local opportunity to either pursue additional licenses beyond those earned at Blue Hills or to build upon their skills learned at Blue Hills and transfer those skills in a related career."

"[For example], I can see graduates of Blue Hills' Health Assisting program who have already earned their CNA, Home Health Aide and EKG certificates having a head start should they decide to switch gears and study Medical Administration or Dental Assisting at PCI," she said.