QCC Announces Programming in Marlborough Options Available for Fall Semester, 2011

Worcester, MA, June 28, 2011 – QCC announced plans for new programming at a luncheon meeting today, hosted by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Courtyard Boston Marlborough.  In the fall, QCC will be offering a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Certificate training program as well as Photovoltaic Training, ESL, and General Education classes at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. Options include day and evening classes and credit or non-credit/certificate credentials.  

Prior to the announcement, QCC worked diligently with a Leadership Team for many months, examining business community, educational and economic needs in the Marlborough-area, in relationship to QCC’s goal of shortening the distance to make higher education more accessible in the communities it serves.

QCC President Gail Carberry addressed the gathering, noting that “…we are currently facing a knowledge-based economy and MA is positioned to thrive on its brainpower.”  She thanked the Leadership Team comprised of local business leaders, elected officials, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School officials, Nichols College personnel, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce members, as well as QCC faculty and staff for their dedication and partnership, saying that “…creative solutions require strong partnerships.” She added that community colleges are an affordable pathway that students can use as springboards for higher education and that QCC is poised to be able to offer educational opportunities for students as well as the communities they live in, to succeed and thrive.

President Carberry turned the program over to Dale Allen, QCC’s Vice President for Community Engagement, who discussed market analysis data (pdf attached) in support of the Leadership Team’s vision to add QCC programming in Marlborough. Data was gathered by surveying High School students, business employers and a local adult population for responses on higher education options, gaps in training for businesses and job opportunities for skilled employees. Data concludes that the need for a higher education facility in the area is existent and well-established.