The PACT Program at New Road School of Somerset was developed to provide students who have completed their high school curriculum with continuing specialized career training in one of six areas, taught by professionally trained instructors. Each faculty member has extensive experience in the career area they are teaching.
In these courses students gain technical knowledge through academic instruction and hands-on experience. The program is equipped with the same highly technical equipment that students will encounter in the work field. This will give the competitive edge they need for a variety of career opportunities.
PACT Program Goals:
- To provide the technical knowledge needed for students to pursue a certification or career.
- To instruct students with the flexibility to allow for individual growth and success.
- To prepare students to become confident and competent members of society.
The New Road PACT program is a two-year program available to students that have completed their mandated high school curriculum. Students begin the program by doing a twelve day rotation of the six areas to see which area sparks their interest. Once they experience all classes, two areas are chosen to participate in for one year. For the second year of PACT, students specialize in one career area. Once they have completed the course they then have the opportunity to take an exam to receive a nationally recognized certificate or a certificate of completion.
While participating in the PACT career areas students work on classroom academics and on and off campus internships.
PACT Program Areas:
A+ Certification
This course is designed to prepare students for entry level positions as computer technicians. Students completing the course may take the A+ Certification exam.
Passing the exam grants students A+ Certification, which certifies the competency of service professionals in the computer industry. A+ Certification is an internationally recognized credential for computer service and technical support. It was developed by and sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a global association of IT industry companies.
Goals for the student:
- Learn the basic knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and repairing microcomputer systems.
- Develop customer service skills for computer support providers.
- Pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam that covers both hardware and software, plus choose one of several elective exams that focus on different areas of support such as IT Technicians, remote support technicians and depot technicians.
Potential employment areas:
- Customer service in computer retail venues, and wholesale environments.
- Technical support for computer installations, repairs, and software installations.
- Help desk for pharmaceutical companies, electronic appliance manufacturers, and a variety of industries that require product support after point of sale.
C-Tech Certification
"Network Cabling-Copper-Based Systems" is a course designed to provide students with the skills necessary to secure a position as an entry level Network Technician. After completing this course, students will be able to terminate, test, troubleshoot and install copper-based network wiring and cabling. On completion of the course students will be eligible to take the C-Tech Certification Exam to become C-Tech certified. To achieve these goals the curriculum is based on national criteria set forth by the telecommunications industry.
Goals for the student:
- Learn basic network cabling theory including configuration, standards and signal concepts.
- Understand tool usage, installation and construction techniques.
- Learn how to troubleshoot and repair copper based systems.
Potential employment areas:
- Cable Television Companies
- Telephone Companies
- Banking Institutions
- Home Security Companies
Culinary Arts
The Culinary Arts program is designed to teach students the skills and techniques needed for food preparation in the commercial food service industry. This hands-on program is taught in our professional kitchen and focuses on the theory, practice and art of cooking. Students gain practical experience through managing and running our on-site Italian Bistro and Café.
Goals for the student:
- Learn proper food handling and storage techniques with a strong emphasis on safety, sanitation, and hygiene.
- Learn creative menu planning to ensure proper nutrition and portion control.
- Learn the financial aspects of culinary settings such as budgeting, food ordering and inventory methods.
- Become knowledgeable regarding tools and equipment in a commercial kitchen.
Potential employment areas:
- Food preparation and cooking in restaurant and banquet settings
- Food handling in the supermarket industry
- Careers in the hospitality and food service industry
Dental Assisting
Students have the opportunity to learn and develop dental assisting skills. Dental assistants work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. The duties of a dental assistant involve preparing equipment, taking x-rays, making impressions, providing patient education, and performing office management and other administrative tasks.
Goals for the student:
- Learn the history and anatomy of teeth
- Know and understand equipment, instruments and sterilizing procedures
- Learn interaction skills with patients and co-workers
- Learn the phone skills necessary for working in a dental office
- Obtain the technical knowledge to obtain a Dental Assistant credential
Potential employment areas:
- Front desk or receptionist position in a dental office
- Dental billing and filing
- Equipment sterilization
- Dental x-ray technician
Pet Grooming
Welcome to the exciting world of pet grooming. If you are an animal lover and have some artistic flair, this is the profession for you. Grooming is an art, and the skills required to be proficient are acquired through practice. Pet groomers wash and trim different breeds of canines. They also trim nails, brush teeth and assist in the desheding processes. Groomers take in to account the individual animal's personality to find the best way to make the grooming an efficient and pleasant process for the animal and the groomer. Students will learn the necessary measures to maintain the pet's good health. Students will also learn the guidelines for conducting themselves professionally and for dealing with clients.
Goals for the student:
- The student will be able to identify various breeds of canines and demonstrate appropriate grooming techniques.
- The student will be able to understand and execute the daily procedures followed in a grooming establishment.
- The student will be able to determine what grooming technique is required for each given breed.
- The student will become accustomed to the behaviors and body language of canines.
Potential employment areas:
- Self employed groomer.
- Working in an established small private grooming store.
- Employment at large company such as Petsmart or Petco.
Pharmacy Technician
This course prepares students for the role of a pharmacy technician in a diverse array of settings. Pharmacy Technicians help licensed Pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. They also perform administrative duties, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers.
Goals for the student:
- Learn the tasks of ordering, receiving, stocking and returning medications and supplies.
- Be proficient in filling medication prescriptions under the supervision of the pharmacist.
- Learn the proper customer service interaction with an emphasis on privacy laws.
- Master computer skills such as data entry, patient history record keeping, insurance claims and billing.
Potential employment areas:
- Perform the duties of a Pharmacy Technician in settings such as long term healthcare facilities, hospitals, community pharmacies, internet pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.