The Scarborough School District celebrated the grand opening of its new $22 million Career and Technical Education Center this week, a state-of-the-art facility that offers students hands-on training in fields ranging from healthcare to advanced manufacturing to culinary arts.
The 45,000-square-foot center, attached to Scarborough High School, houses eight program areas: nursing and health sciences, precision manufacturing, automotive technology, construction trades, culinary arts, computer science, engineering, and environmental technology. Each program features industry-standard equipment and is taught by instructors with professional experience in their fields.
“This facility says to our students: your future matters, and the skills you learn here are valued,” said Superintendent Sanford Prince. “Not every student is headed to a four-year college, and that’s perfectly fine. We want every path to be a strong one.”
The center’s manufacturing lab includes CNC machines, 3D printers, and welding stations comparable to those used in professional shops. The healthcare wing features a simulated hospital room where nursing students practice patient care techniques. The culinary program operates a teaching kitchen and a student-run cafe that is open to the public during lunch hours.
“I’m learning more in this program than I ever did in a regular classroom,” said junior Maya Thompson, who is enrolled in the precision manufacturing track. “I can actually see myself doing this for a career.”
The center also serves students from several surrounding districts through a regional partnership, extending its reach to approximately 600 students. Transportation is provided for students traveling from partner districts.
Local employers were involved in designing the programs, ensuring that the skills taught align with actual workforce needs. Companies including IDEXX, Pratt & Whitney, and MaineGeneral Health serve as program advisors and offer internships and apprenticeships to advanced students.
“We helped design the manufacturing curriculum because we want graduates who can walk into our facility and contribute from day one,” said IDEXX workforce development director Janet Lee. “This center is exactly what the region needs.”
The project was funded through a state bond, district capital funds, and equipment donations from industry partners.
