Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) is a vocational school with a 75-year history and nine campus locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts. They offer career training programs that prepare students for jobs in the skilled trades, information technology, and healthcare industries.
Admissions
Students from all walks of life attend Porter and Chester, including recent high school graduates, adults, and current or former military. To attend Porter and Chester Institute, students require a high school diploma or an equivalent.
Since each student is in a unique situation, PCI has dedicated staff called "Career Program Specialists". It’s their job to ensure students are fully informed about the school, choose the right program, and are prepared for admission.
PCI’s Career Program Specialists will walk you through the entire application process. They’ll review your program choices, help you gather all the required paperwork, and answer any questions you might have.
Student Review: “I am 27, just now going back to school. At first I was very intimidated, especially the fact that currently we are learning almost all remotely. But so far, all I can say is wow! What a great job everyone is doing making sure we understand everything we're learning to the fullest.” -- Joey O.
Financial Aid
Porter and Chester has a team of “Educational Funding Specialists” and their job is to help students understand all financial assistance options available. There are federal, institutional, and private financial aid programs that can make your career training at PCI more affordable.
Federal Title IV financial aid programs available to qualified students (or their parents) include:
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Read the financial aid guide on Career School Now to learn more about financial aid.
Career Services
PCI’s career services include full-time “Career Services Advisors” who will help you when it’s time to find your new job. They’ll help you build your resume and prepare for future job interviews, too. You’ll learn about the types of questions your potential employers might ask and how to best answer them.
Ongoing career guidance is also part of PCI’s career services. Former graduates can always obtain guidance from the career services department.
Student Review: "Career Services was always available, on call, whenever I needed support, in finding job leads." -- Roosevelt G.
Student Review: "The career services has been really helpful as well as when I was interested in joining they made it really easy to decide on what trade was right for me. Now I'm actively working in my trade and couldn't be happier!!! "-- Joseph J.
Programs
Porter and Chester works directly with employers to develop their programs. By working with the companies that hire their students, they create programs that address real-world situations. At this school, you’ll “learn-by-doing” and when you graduate you’ll have the hands-on training required for entry-level jobs.
PCI’s programs include training in skilled trades, information technology, and allied health career fields such as:
- HVAC/R
- Automotive Technology
- Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)
- Computer & Networking Technology
- Cosmetology
- Electrician: Industrial, Commercial, Residential
- Electronics Systems Technician
- Plumbing
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assisting
- Practical Nursing
Connect with Porter & Chester Institute to learn more about their skilled trades and vocational training programs.
Student Review: “My HVAC/R instructors are highly prepared and eager to teach. I took advantage of the instructors skills and learned a lot at the lab. If you are going take advantage of the program you will learn.” -- Carlos T
Campus Locations
Porter and Chester’s campus locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut are in the following cities:
- Enfield, CT
- Hamden, CT
- New London, CT
- Rocky Hill, CT
- Stratford, CT
- Waterbury, CT
- Brockton, MA
- Chicopee, MA
- Worcester, MA
Accreditation
Porter and Chester Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
State Approvals & Licensure:
- Connecticut Office of Higher Education
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, Office of Private Occupational School Education
Approvals
PCI is approved by multiple governmental agencies to train sponsored students:
- Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (CT)
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
- Workers’ Rehabilitation Services (CT)
- CT State Approving Agency for Veterans Benefits
- MA State Approving Agency for Veterans Benefits
Porter and Chester Institute is also approved to train military veterans and their qualified dependents that are eligible for Veterans Administration educational benefits.
Student Review: “The teachers were so happy to help all the time. They gave me all the tools I needed to succeed... I am forever grateful for all the support they showed me and the reassurance they gave me to succeed.” -- Shawana S.
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