SRTC Director Matt Petermann addressed Maine leaders during the state’s Career and Technical Education month.
Photo: Sanford School Department
By: Sam Bonsey, Sanford Schools Communication Coordinator
Sanford Regional Technical Center took center stage at the Maine State Capitol in Augusta during the week of February 9 as part of a statewide celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.
SRTC was among the southern and coastal Maine schools featured on February 12 at the Hall of Flags, a multi-day event that brought together CTE programs from all 27 of Maine’s CTE schools, along with community college partners, SkillsUSA, FFA, and other supporters. The gathering gave students, educators, and school leaders the chance to connect with legislators, industry partners, and members of the public through hands-on demonstrations and conversations about the power of career and technical education.
A highlight of the day was a speech delivered by SRTC Director Matt Petermann, who addressed Maine leaders and distinguished guests on behalf of the state’s CTE community. Petermann celebrated the growth of CTE across Maine — enrollment has now surpassed 11,300 students statewide, the highest number ever recorded — while also making the case for continued investment in programs like SRTC.
“CTE connects classroom learning to real careers, builds essential skills, and opens doors to family-sustaining wages right here in Maine,” Petermann said. “Many of these CTE schools are the lifeblood of their regions and communities.”
Petermann used his time at the podium to advocate directly with legislators on issues that hit close to home for schools like SRTC, including new pathways to bring experienced industry professionals into the classroom as teachers, and the urgent need to update aging facilities to meet modern, industry-standard expectations.
“When you invest in CTE, you’re investing in Maine’s workforce, Maine’s communities, and Maine’s future,” Petermann said. “Our students are those workers.”
SRTC’s presence at the Hall of Flags was a proud moment for the Sanford community — a reminder that the work happening here every day is making a real difference for students and for Maine’s workforce as a whole. Whether students leave SRTC heading into a career, an apprenticeship, or higher education, the skills and confidence they build here follow them every step of the way.
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