ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS) Superintendent John Lavoie welcomes new Workforce Development Program Coordinator Tia Gerber, as ongoing improvements are implemented across three key program components.
Gerber has officially started and hit the ground running in her new role.
She previously worked at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School for nine years as Director of Community Partnership. Gerber’s goal in her new role at GLTS is to further identify new and growing opportunities within the programs that can be offered to both students and community members.
GLTS offers three main outlets in the program, including After Dark, Adult Technical Training and an Apprenticeship Program. Between October 2026 and August 2027, over 450 students will be trained through After Dark, Apprenticeship, and Adult Technical Training Programs.
Each program focuses on expanding education for GLTS students, students from neighboring communities who do not have direct access to vocational education, and adult learners.
The After Dark Program connects students in sending schools to GLTS and offers afternoon courses for those students five days a week, after school, to earn vocational certification while they are also earning their high school diploma. This is one way GLTS is attempting to address an ongoing issue — the lack of access to vocational education across the state. All of the technical career pathways offered through the GLTS After Dark Program align with local, regional and statewide labor market needs. Offered After Dark Programs include: Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Services Technology, Health Assisting, HVAC/R, Information Technology and Welding and Metal Fabrication
The Adult Technical Training Program is open to students and community members 18 years or older who are Massachusetts residents, are unemployed or underemployed, and must be interested in working full time in the field upon program completion. GLTS offers three different sessions throughout the year. The Adult Technical Training Program has 14 available avenues that are offered to students. Those programs include: Introduction to Construction, Introduction to Welding, Facilities Maintenance Training, Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing, Introduction to Automotive Technology, Introduction to Electrical, Introduction to HVAC, Introduction to Plumbing, Advanced Manufacturing for Multilingual Learners, Basic Solar Installation & Electrical Training, Introduction to Auto Collision, Introduction to Automotive Technology, Introduction to HVAC and Introduction to Welding.
The Apprenticeship Program focuses on obtaining certifications in trade programs in Electrical and Plumbing. These courses are held at night and are taken by students who are currently working towards their trade licenses. Through this program, apprentices are able to fulfill the requirements to take the Massachusetts State Journeyman examinations and these courses are necessary in the industry, coupled with hands-on work in the field, to become licensed.
Those interested in enrolling in a future workforce development program can visit the Workforce Development Website: https://www.glts.net/workforce-development or connect with the team: eveningedinfo@glts.net.
“I am thrilled to have begun my new role at GLTS, and I want to highlight the incredible team we have here. They truly pride themselves on this type of work, and it has been a pleasure getting to learn from them and work alongside them as I have entered this role,” said Gerber. “My focus for the Workforce Development Program is to continue highlighting our wonderful programs that strive to expand the education of our students and community.”
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