An increasing number of high school students are looking to make a big splash in their future by attending Bath Regional Career and Technical Center. The past four years have seen a 76% rise in enrollment.  

The center’s career and technical programs draw students from Boothbay Region, Wiscasset Middle High School, Lincoln Academy and Morse.

This year, Boothbay has 34 students attending the center and Wiscasset has 31. 

In 2018, 154 students attended the center. In 2019, enrollment  increased to 209, according to the center. In 2020, midway through the school year, the new Morse High School opened which included the technical center inside. More space and programs aided the center’s popularity. The center draws 270 students across the nine programs: early childhood education, cosmetology, culinary arts, electrical, welding, automotive, engineering and architecture, graphic design, and health science careers. Criminal justice joins the line-up next year.

“Enrollment is rising because the program is drawing a diverse student population. Programs like architecture and engineering require a college degree while others don’t. So our enrollment has students who will attend a four-year college, two-year, or no college,” Center Director Julie Kenny said. “And all of these provide good jobs at the end of their education.”

The center is open to juniors and seniors from each member high school. Students spend a half day at their home high school with the academic studies and the other half in Bath. Juniors attend a two-hour morning session in Bath which is followed by seniors in the afternoon with their own two-hour session. 

While some students know for years what career and education path they’d like to follow, others, like Boothbay junior Tyler Barter, didn’t decide until he entered high school. He chose to attend the vocational program after hearing positive comments from upperclassmen during his first two high school years. 

Barter is enrolled in the welding program with plans for becoming a welder. He is one of 25 students in the welding program. Barter is undecided whether to continue his education after high school or enter the workforce. But he is positive about how his technical education will benefit his future.

“You hear so many good things about the program so I thought I’d check it out,” he said. “The hands-on learning is the best part.”

As a first-year student, he is learning the building blocks of welding. In the fall, he learned about overhead welding. “It’s all new to me. I didn’t know anything about welding until this year,” he said. “Overhead welding is a piece of metal clamped at eye level and you learn how to weld without burning yourself.”

Dylan Plummer is another Boothbay junior learning another high-in-demand trade. Plummer is one of 27 vocational students in the electrical program. There are five Boothbay and two Wiscasset students in it. Plummer wants to become a master electrician. One of his early lessons was learning to install a three-way switch. “Now we are learning about hooking up a bathroom. The instructor is really helpful and makes sure everything is safe,” he said.

Once Plummer finishes his two years at the vocational center, he will have amassed 576 hours toward his journeyman’s license. He isn’t sure if he will attend college or learn under a master electrician following graduation. But he is certain about how much he likes the vocational center’s program. “I really like the hands-on aspect. It’s been great,” Plummer said. 

Another popular program is culinary arts. The program has 28 students with four from Boothbay and two from Wiscasset. Students with a passion for good food are being trained to satisfy people’s taste buds as their future vocation. Elijah Pearson of Alna already has a job in the food preparation business. He works at Alna General Store cooking Mexican dishes along with traditional comfort food: Hamburgers, pizza and sandwiches. The Wiscasset Middle High School junior is passionate about cooking and wanted to learn more about the field. 

His future plans include working in a restaurant or food truck. 

“I really want to cook and saw this as an opportunity,” Pearson said. “I like everything about cooking. Especially having other people enjoy it.”

Following graduation, he plans on either attending community college or entering the workforce. 

Connor Dover of Boothbay is another student who loves cooking. His passion began as a child in his parents’ kitchen, watching them prepare food. “I can see myself as a line cook after graduation. That would be nice,” he said. Dover is also considering attending community college. 

Julysa Tulley-Elyse is a Boothbay junior with an eye toward a future in the food industry. Her career ambition is being a consultant. “I like baking the best. I’m looking at all my career options which may include community college,” she said.

The automotive program has 22 students, four each from Boothbay and Wiscasset, according to the center. Carpentry has 29 with four Boothbay and two Wiscasset students. Cosmetology has 26 students with three each from Boothbay and Wiscasset. Engineering and graphic design has 16 students with six from Wiscasset. Early childhood education has 24 students with two Boothbay and three Wiscasset students. Health has 15 students with two each from Boothbay and Wiscasset. Medical science has three Boothbay students and one Wiscasset. Welding has 25 students with five each from Boothbay and Wiscasset.