Educators, Students, Elected Officials, and Business Leaders Agree: Vote Yes for South Shore Tech

Educators, Students, Elected Officials, and Business Leaders Agree: Vote Yes for South Shore Tech (January 23, 2025)

Nine communities to vote on new facility for South Shore Technical School to support future workforce, increase access, and expand programming

This Saturday, January 25, voters in nine South Shore communities have the opportunity to support a new facility and expansion of South Shore Technical School (SST), which has been providing students and adults throughout the area with the skills to be successful members of the local workforce and regional economy for over six decades. 

First opened in 1962, SST is the second oldest vocational school in the state and is seen as a leader in vocational education in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the dated infrastructure of the school means that 40 percent of applicants are turned away.

The vote - taking place in Abington, Cohasset, Hanover, Hanson, Marshfield, Norwell, Rockland, Scituate, and Whitman – will allow the SST School Committee to move forward with plans for a new facility, leveraging $110 million in state funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority. 

Education, business, and elected leaders from across the South Shore have endorsed the proposal as a critical investment in the next generation of workers and the greater South Shore economy for decades to come. 

“Since they opened their doors, South Shore Tech has lived up to its mission of giving students the skills and support to fulfill their personal goals, bring them economic independence, and help establish themselves as impactful members of their community,” said American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang. “SST is an integral part of the local community and regional economy that needs a long-overdue overhaul of its facilities in order to remain a successful and thoughtful leader in vocational education.”

“Through hands-on learning and skills training, SST produces not only successful and skilled workers, but our graduates are also known for being engaged learners, hopeful citizens, and responsible members of their local, national, and global communities,” said Randy Scott, President of the South Shore Regional Vocational Teachers Federation. “Voting YES will allow us to expand with new programming and serve more students. This is about more than just getting bigger - it’s about being able to maintain the same level of quality education we are known for, which is at risk with the crumbling facilities.”

For every five tradespeople that retire, only one is replaced with a recent graduate. Not only would a new school be able to graduate more students – opening the door to economic opportunity to hundreds more each year –  but it would also add new programs for plumbers and veterinary technicians.

SST’s commitment to the community and its residents is unparalleled. Locals also know it for its incredibly successful night program serving veterans and the underemployed. Right now, over 80 percent of the night school graduates are employed by over 40 local businesses in the 9 districts served by SST.

Below is the polling information for residents looking to cast their ballots this Saturday, January 25. All locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.44

For more on the project, please visit: https://southshoretechproject.com/