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New Bedford High School officially began construction of its High Tech Finance Lab with a celebratory groundbreaking ceremony this morning. Attended by school and district stakeholders, city officials, and industry partners, the event kicks off the building of the laboratory, made possible by the school’s grant award of $125,000 by the Baker-Polito administration’s Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet in January.
Superintendent Thomas Anderson noted the Finance Lab project is an example of New Bedford High School’s ongoing improvement initiatives and also expressed appreciation to the many partners involved. “Today’s beginning is the latest example of our intensified focus on capacity building across the district. This high-tech facility will enhance the high school’s accelerated course offerings emphasizing Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs. It is being made a reality thanks to our dedicated finance industry partners who serve on NBHS’ Education and Industry Coordinating Council. We thank them for their expertise, time and support at every point in this process.”
The laboratory, which will be located in the high school main core across from the school store, will feature high definition stock tickers, market data walls, advanced technology, and collaboration stations. The laboratory will provide project-based finance and business experiences for students in the Finance Academy, as well as the new Chapter 74 Vocational program in Business Technology, anticipated to begin in the fall.
Headmaster Bernadette Coelho observed “The Finance Lab will expand our ability to provide students the most up-to-date learning environment for the business finance and investing industries. This lab comes on the heels of our new Biotech Lab, which provides students interested in the life sciences industry with a university caliber facility to study and practice the newest laboratory techniques. We want to ensure our graduates are career-ready and have had opportunities for hands-on experience in their chosen fields of interest as they enter college or the workplace.”
New Bedford High School has enhanced its existing Career Vocational program with new programs and equipment over the past year. School officials have identified the construction of the finance lab as a hallmark of this initiative.
“Today’s ceremony is another example of our new program offerings affiliated with Career Vocational Technical Education, said Christopher Cummings, Manager of Career Vocational Technical Education. “Our lab will support our commitment to providing realistic workplace experiences and will provide exceptional preparation for careers in finance and business. We intend the lab to serve as the flagship financial training center for high school students.
The planning for the laboratory involved school staff and industry and civic partners from advisory committees that support the integration of instruction for vocational education at the school. Notably, the school’s general advisory committee, the finance advisory committee, and the finance lab construction subcommittee all provided guidance on equipment and curriculum that will serve as the foundation of the activities.
Berta Varao, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of New Bedford Credit Union expressed appreciation for the unique project. “We are honored to be part of the soon to be constructed Finance Lab at New Bedford High School. Students will benefit greatly from this state-of-the-art-facility. We join the community in celebrating this important accomplishment for New Bedford High School.”
The event was facilitated by students from New Bedford High School’s new Hospitality program, who planned the celebration and served breakfast to attendees. The Hospitality program previously facilitated the Mayor’s State of the City address, also hosted at the high school, in March.
New Bedford High School’s Business, Finance and Hospitality program is part of the school’s offerings of Career Vocational Technical Education programming and is affiliated with the National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance. In addition to Finance, the school offers career pathway programs in Instructional Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, and Criminal Justice. For more information about Career and Technical Education at New Bedford High School, please contact Christopher Cummings, Manager of CVTE at 508 997 4511, ext. 20799
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