Academics

Mission Statement: Tri-County Technical Center provides occupational preparation programs for high school students residing in this region. Programs provide real work experiences that prepare students for employment and provide authentic work applications of the Maine Learning Results. Career preparation skills are taught with emphasis placed on the development of responsibility and life-long learning. Instruction is organized to provide pathways to employment and to post-secondary education. Training at the Technical Center focuses on the best practices pertaining to workplace values, ethics safety, employability, leadership, and technical skills. The staff ensures that instruction promotes diversity, accommodates a variety of learning styles, and meets the individual needs of all students.

Description: The Tri-County Technical Center is a regional high school program providing occupational preparation courses for five area high schools. Participants attend the Center and their high school on an every other day basis. Students are bussed to and from the Center by the school districts. All students attending the center complete Employment Portfolios. Students earn three credits for each year of participation. Applications to programs offered at the Tri-County Technical Center are made through your local high school guidance office. Click here to see a photo album of students who attend the center.

We offer the following programs:

Commercial Truck Driving Program
The Commercial Truck Driving Program qualifies students to be tested by the State of Maine Department of Motor Vehicles for a commercial tractor-trailer driver's license (CDL Class A). Instruction is based on state laws, industry regulations, and equipment maintenance required for licensing. The Commercial Truck Drivers Manual and the Professional Truck Driving Institute of America handbook/workbook are used as texts for the course. State standards for classroom and driving instruction are adhered to during the course. Students spend a good part of instructional time driving tractor trailer rigs in skills practice, over the road experience, and transporting many types of loads. Students that successfully complete the program will possess entry level skills required by the trucking industry and are able to use the school's truck and trailer to test for licensing. The employment success rate for students completing the course is very high. Students must have a valid Maine driver's license and must be seventeen years of age. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, Maine Commercial Drivers License Class A with endorsements.

Metals Manufacturing Program
The Metals Manufacturing Program prepares students for employment of post secondary education in metals production occupations. Through application of metal working skills, students learn the manufacturing process. Production work in the program is designed to teach skills in teamwork, problem solving, and human relations. Students learn and practice skills including precision layout and measurement, lathes, Computer Numerical Control conventional mills, and blue print reading. Drafting and blue print design is also taught using Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD). Students completing the basic manufacturing skills also learn basic welding and cutting operations. Outcomes: Competency Certificate and Skill Profile.

Health Occupations Program
Health Occupations is designed to be a career awareness course with skills learned for diverse medical jobs. Units of instruction include career search, health and disease, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, communication, health care responsibilities, and job seeking skills. Dexter Health Care, Hibbard Nursing Home, and Mayo Regional Hospital provide sites for clinical experience. Students choose of several health careers that they are interested in for clinical rotation, and then are placed on the job with a professional from that area. During clinical rotation, students apply skills learned in the classroom. Students wishing to obtain state certification as a Nurse assistant (CNA) or Personal Support Specialist (PSS) may do so through this program. Students must maintain an 80 average to be eligible for certification. Health Occupations students participate in the national student organization Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and attend annual state and national conventions. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, CNA Certification and PSS Certification.

Graphic Design and Communications Program
The Graphic Design and Communications program provides a self-paced instruction and practice in the field of graphic arts. Students learn digital imaging concepts and skills in a modern graphic arts lab while gaining valuable workplace skills such as dependability, resourcefulness, initiative, diligence, and interpersonal skills. Students will gain experience in the following areas: working with selections, using layers, creating masks and channels, creating animations, retouching and repairing images, painting and editing, and designing publications such as flyers, cd jewelcase booklets, newsletters, and magazine covers. Students gain professional training in the following software: Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. Students practice these skills on customer projects including business cards, photo IDs, brochures, flyers, invitations, and bound reports. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, and Adobe Certified Expert Certification.

Culinary Arts Program
The Culinary Arts program prepares students for entry level work in the food service/hospitality industry as professional cooks, bakers, and service staff. Students apply skills by operating a full service restaurant, a bakery, and a part time in-house catering service. Professional food preparation, gourmet presentation, food service management, and safety skills are taught. Students must master measuring skills along with reading comprehension of professional recipes. Students learn to work in a team atmosphere and also acquire workplace skills such as dependability, safety, responsibility, leadership, and management skills. Students explore pursuing a post secondary education in culinary arts. Students who successfully complete the Culinary Arts Program are also prepared for entry level work placement in the Hotel and Restaurant fields. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, and National Sanitation Serve Safe Certification.

Criminal Justice Program
The Criminal Justice program prepares students for an exciting and challenging career in the field of Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigations, and Forensic Science. Students in the Criminal Justice Program will get a broad overview of the criminal justice system. It will provide competency based instruction in crime scene investigations, professional ethics, evidence handling, fingerprinting, case preparation, constitutional law, court systems, emergency vehicle operation, and police combat shooting. Students are expected to follow law enforcement unit procedures, wear a BDU (battle dress uniform) and complete physical training. Parts of the physical training and curriculum are based on the Maine Criminal Justice Academy requirements. Many units are supported with federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel. The course if recommended for students interested in pursuing careers in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or the Military. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile.

Computer Systems Repair
The Computer Systems Repair program is designed to provide students with the skills to repair, maintain, design, and set up computer network systems. The skills taught include diagnosing and upgrading personal computers, printers and other system components. Computer and electronics fundamentals will be taught during the course. Students completing this course will be prepared to test for certification in the A+ and Network+ classifications. Employment will be available to students in the computer systems and repair and design occupations. Many businesses are seeking people with these skills and the experience will be an asset to students pursing many occupations.

Building Trades Program
The Building Trades program instructs students in the skills associated with residential house construction. Students are involved in a variety of building projects within the community that provide hands-on experience at a job site. Building Trades students learn accepted practices for the use of hand and power tools with an emphasis on safety. Students have the opportunity to learn basic building techniques involved in house construction, as well as develop their employability skills. Students who meet the requirements of the Wheels of Learning Curriculum will earn National Registration that is recognized by many construction companies. Students may also earn OSHA Certification and 30 hour safety cards. Successful completion of the program provides students with entry level skills and a strong base for further training in the field of Building Trades. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, Wheels of Learning National Registry Certification, and OSHA Certification.

Automotive Technology Program
The Automotive Technology program provides students with realistic work experience designed to be a basis for employment and further education in the automotive service industry. Students spend one-third of the time in a classroom setting learning the fundamentals of automotive technology diagnosis and repair, and developing a job skill portfolio. The remainder of the time is used to complete real work projects by servicing and repairing customers' vehicles. Students use the latest automotive information systems to assist with these repairs. Many students continue their education in related fields or at technical colleges. Outcomes: Competency Certificate, Skill Profile, and Maine Department of Labor Safety Certificate.