At Edgartown selectmen’s regular Monday-night meeting, executive director of Adult Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) Sam Hart updated them on new training courses the nonprofit is offering as a result of a needs-assessment survey conducted earlier this year, which identified several gaps in on-Island continuing education courses that the group is working to fill.
The organization receives funding from Island towns. Mr. Hart said he is required to update town officials about how that money is being spent. He spoke about many of the licensing and prelicensing classes that ACE MV now offers workers such as landscapers and builders, with the necessary preparatory work to take tests off-Island.
For example, people who operate heavy machinery such as backhoes must have a hoisting license. ACE MV brings an off-Island teacher for that course onto the Island, and coordinates travel to the test-taking site so that workers only lose a single day of work, he said.
Mr. Hart also highlighted the up-and-coming two-year master’s in education that ACE MV will be offering in conjunction with Fitchburg State University come January. Forty people have signed up, he said, surpassing the university’s expectations.
“We’re trying to offer affordable, accessible continuing education on the Island,” Mr. Hart said.
Selectmen thanked him for the presentation.
“Good job,” said chairman Michael Donaroma.
