NORTHAMPTON — Adults interested in beekeeping, raising backyard chickens or renewing a technical license can soon register for evening courses at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. The Northampton school is launching an adult education program this spring, planning to offer a mix of career-focused and hobby-based classes.
Though the course catalog isn’t finalized, they’re planning to start by offering a bike maintenance class run by Jason Graves of the Florence Full Circle Bike Shop, along with courses focused on maple sugaring, photography and gardening.
Margaret Gifford, the school’s vocational director, said the program follows several years of discussion.
“We have such an abundance of resources here,” Gifford said, noting that many vocational schools offer adult education programs.
Liz Tiley, who previously worked as manager of the Five College Learning in Retirement program, will lead the new adult education effort at Smith Vocational. She said she hopes for it to be a collaborative process, weaving in local restaurateurs for cooking classes and involving the Chamber of Commerce.
“This area is so rich with talented people,” Tiley said. “I can’t see it being a problem filling right up.”
She and Gifford said the program could fill an important role in the community, particularly considering there’s no community college in Hampshire County.
The school is exploring the idea of running an evening machinist program in collaboration with Springfield Technical Community College. They are also considering hosting several licensure and techical certification programs, ranging from industrial fields to health care.
“Need is going to determine the direction we’re going to go,” Gifford said.
In an enconomy where people are often changing jobs, and where retirees are often looking for ways to stay busy, Smith Vocational trustee Michael T. Cahillane said the program should fill an important need.
“In the Valley we’re so gifted to have so many resources that we can draw from that will educate people on local places, people and things,” he said.
Those who are interested will be able to register on a course-by-course basis. The school is still working on setting prices, but Tiley said they could range from $40 for a two-hour course to $1,500 for a particular certification program.
Stephanie McFeeters can be reached at smcfeeters@gazettenet.com.