Porter and Chester Institute in Worcester offers a variety of programs for students looking to enter the trade industry. The campus provides facilities for programs such as Medical Assisting, Automotive Technician, HVAC/R Technician, and Electrical Technician. 

The school has received mixed reviews from students regarding the quality of education and support received. Some students have praised the faculty and staff for their professionalism and care, specifically mentioning individuals like admissions director Mike Mello and Director Glenn Hartland for their assistance during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, other students have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the school, such as inconsistent teaching quality, outdated curriculum, and difficulties in job placement post-graduation. Some have also criticized the school for what they perceive as a lack of communication and support, particularly in regards to staff turnover and handling of student concerns.

In terms of facilities, some students have noted that lab equipment may be outdated or lacking in sufficient quantity for all students. Additionally, there have been comments about the need for updates and improvements to the curriculum to ensure students are receiving the most up-to-date and relevant training in their chosen fields.

Overall, Porter and Chester Institute in Worcester provides a range of trade programs for students seeking to enter various industries. While some students have had positive experiences with the school and its staff, others have raised concerns about certain aspects of the educational experience and support provided. It is advisable for prospective students to thoroughly research and consider all factors before enrolling in a program at the institute.

Great school, great opportunities I graduated with Medical Assisting 01/2022 and this school is a whole joke. Went to campus once a week for about 1hr and a half the most. Basically teaching yourself at home. Insane amount of assignments due in a week. I also had to complete 340hrs of externship when the prior class only had to complete 140hrs which was more reasonable. Can never reach anyone and if I do they are no help…Hours online aren’t accurate either. States Saturdays they are open 9am-1pm and they are not. I wasted my time driving here regarding my transcripts. I had called as well and no answer, I always get the voice mail. Great school... Excellent faculty   No one helped me when I asked for it. I was basically told to figure everything out myself. I had 4 different teachers in one year. Instead of them closing down the school they kept it open to basically be a waste of money. I had to ask a bunch of times about my exams due to getting no info of when and where and what I had to do to take them   When’s summer orientation?      Come with passion and explore. One of the best. My son is set to graduate from Porter and Chester in Worcester very soon.  Automotive is tough enough, but throw in COVID and a few other unforeseen circumstances and we have one hell of a 2020.  From beginning to end these people have been nothing but professional and extremely caring and kind.  (human). Mike Mello our admissions director was so helpful, showing us the school, explaining the programs and has a real human side.  He was witty and animated and we were hooked after meeting just him.  Then we were introduced to Dwayne Jeffers who talked to us about our financial aid options and helped us work out a plan to attend school.  Glenn Hartland the school's Director has been on top of all communication since COVID started, making sure the kids work is done, working with the teachers, setting up Zoom classes, just an all around professional good guy. Anyone interested in a trade school to either further their education or if you are a young adult getting started I highly suggest you reach out to Porter and Chester ( Worcester Campus) and talk to these people. Went here for electrical. It was a complete wast of time, DO NOT come here if you wan to become an electrician. Our instructor clearly chose favorites and was just generally not friendly, was even borderline sexist. Our lab lacked new equipment and sometimes didn’t have enough for the students. The curriculum definitely needed work, with powerpoints often being one or two code cycles behind (one was from 2002!), and sometimes tests/quizzes would be graded based on that code cycle and not the current one. And last, when I graduated I was PROMISED a job. I was hired by an agency that I will not name, but since I was hired two weeks ago they have not sent me to one job site. I tried looking for other electrical jobs, but everyone is looking for 2-4 year apprentices, not ones who just graduated. One of the independent electrical contractors I went with even said that he has heard nothing but bad things about this school. Same thing with the electrical contractor my cousin worked for at the time, she said no one wants to hire graduates from that school because everyone knows it’s a bad school.

Long story short, don’t wast 30 grand. Avoid this place. Porter and Chester gave me a new start in my life by helping me make a career change/ transition into the field of Automotive. Porter and Chester's job placement also gave me the opportunity to be employed by Uhaul while I attended school and studied for the Automotive Technician program. My life has drastically changed for the better and I am forever grateful for the teachers and staff at Porter and Chester. If you're truly a hard worker, go getter, and apply yourself as a student at Porter and Chester, you will be successful financially and personally!! I am a success story and you will be too when you attend Porter and Chester!! Hurry up and contact them for more information about their programs!! PCI is an good institution that provided me with the knowledge to be a successful HVAC/R technician.  I had the time to study and practice my trade.   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 your are going take advantage of the program you will learn.

I highly recommend PCI. I started in January in dental assisting and everything was well until March when they laid my teacher off, no explanantion, we were fending for ourselves and nobody would tell us what's going on or why it was happening. The vice president was rude in a response email to a fellow classmate. I feel as if I've wasted time and tons of money as it's a rip off of what i signed up for. Unprofessional attitudes and never having answers, always leaving us hanging and wondering what they will do to us next. It's truly saddening. This school has failed to communicate on why they treat staff and students poorly. Or why they have been doing what they're doing. They makes tons of money so why take our teacher away multiple times and leave us with a stranger who doesn't teach how ours did? Learning online is already difficult and we weren't considered when they decided to "lay her off" basically. They only seem to care about the money and they aren't very professional when it comes to running a company. They're sneaky and will do anything to their advantage.. i'm aware of what goes on. We never got answers and now my teacher is taken away from me once again. I'm told I can't have answers and we are once again left to be taught by a principal who knows nothing about dental. We've been fighting for answers on our own and not one person has given us answers on how we can succeed well when we weren't taught properly. As if COVID isn't  enough this school had been selfish and only caring about what's good for them. Hencing why teachers left and students aren't happy with what they have been doing. My voice seems to never be heard but I won't stop until I get answers. Mrs.C is an amazing person who bent over backwards for this school and has been treated like trash along with me and my fellow classmates. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone, they don't care about anyone but themselves and the money they collect from us.    They bent over backwards for me to make sure I graduated I had and have some health issues and they stuck by me all the way to the end thank you porter&chester Excellent Institution for my husband.  The HVAC program provided my husband with the necessary skill to success as HVAC Technician. Went for medical coding and billing in Worcester, MA from 2018-2019. What a scam. Worst experience ever. My teacher for my first semester actually walked out on us )her own personal marriage issues) and we were left with no teacher for about 3 weeks. The coding teacher that taught the higher level class had to keep coming in to check on us and teach when her other class was taking a test or what not. It should’ve been a sign for me to leave the school but I didn’t want to give up.  But not one of us who graduated were able to find a job in the field that pays well ($13 or $14 an hour is not worth the student debt). I ended up finding an ambulatory service job that is not related to coding at all, but took it because it paid $18/hour. I feel like I wasted time and money on complete pointlessness. Should have gone to an actual college.  Electrical teachers show lack of knowledge about trade and the way the school functions. Who ever manages the student loans over their phones just wants to charge you interest in just about everything. 0/5 stars don’t recommend. Take night classes elsewhere it will save you lots of headaches and money. Going to the Westborough campus the staff seemed to only care about making money and not preparing their students. Contacted their office so I can get a transcript sent to a community college so I would be able to get a scholarship. All they wanted the transcript for is to prove I did not graduate. Because of them refusing to send any transcripts I am unable to get the scholarship. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I wouldn't even send my worse enemy there.   if you wanna be an electrician, don't go here. i went through 3 teachers during my year and hardly learned a thing (None of them were good at teaching and they all knew they could get better paying jobs on the field). on top of that, most electrical contractors won't take you seriously if you tell them your went here. they want to know that you have more than a year of experience and that you know your stuff WELL.

1 year to learn 4 years worth of knowledge is a tall order that only someone with a God-like aptitude can accomplish. if you think you can do it, be my guest,  but i personally couldn't learn and master the topics i was given in the required time. that, and they really dont do a good job finding you a job when youre done.

this place is a $25,000 ripoff. there ARE schools out there that are cheaper. save yourself the hassle.  My teacher was awesome, the curriculum leaves a lot to be desired and the labs need some serious updates...  There is a reason why the majority of their positive reviews can only be found on their own website...

The Peterson School - Worcester

Porter And Chester School

Porter & Chester Institute (Worcester)

The Fieldstone School

International Health Training Center

I graduated with Medical Assisting 01/2022 and this school is a whole joke. Went to campus once a week for about 1hr and a half the most. Basically teaching yourself at home. Insane amount of assignments due in a week. I also had to complete 340hrs of externship when the prior class only had to complete 140hrs which was more reasonable. Can never reach anyone and if I do they are no help…Hours online aren’t accurate either. States Saturdays they are open 9am-1pm and they are not. I wasted my time driving here regarding my transcripts. I had called as well and no answer, I always get the voice mail.

No one helped me when I asked for it. I was basically told to figure everything out myself. I had 4 different teachers in one year. Instead of them closing down the school they kept it open to basically be a waste of money. I had to ask a bunch of times about my exams due to getting no info of when and where and what I had to do to take them

Come with passion and explore. One of the best.

My son is set to graduate from Porter and Chester in Worcester very soon.  Automotive is tough enough, but throw in COVID and a few other unforeseen circumstances and we have one hell of a 2020.  From beginning to end these people have been nothing but professional and extremely caring and kind.  (human). Mike Mello our admissions director was so helpful, showing us the school, explaining the programs and has a real human side.  He was witty and animated and we were hooked after meeting just him.  Then we were introduced to Dwayne Jeffers who talked to us about our financial aid options and helped us work out a plan to attend school.  Glenn Hartland the school's Director has been on top of all communication since COVID started, making sure the kids work is done, working with the teachers, setting up Zoom classes, just an all around professional good guy. Anyone interested in a trade school to either further their education or if you are a young adult getting started I highly suggest you reach out to Porter and Chester ( Worcester Campus) and talk to these people.

Went here for electrical. It was a complete wast of time, DO NOT come here if you wan to become an electrician. Our instructor clearly chose favorites and was just generally not friendly, was even borderline sexist. Our lab lacked new equipment and sometimes didn’t have enough for the students. The curriculum definitely needed work, with powerpoints often being one or two code cycles behind (one was from 2002!), and sometimes tests/quizzes would be graded based on that code cycle and not the current one. And last, when I graduated I was PROMISED a job. I was hired by an agency that I will not name, but since I was hired two weeks ago they have not sent me to one job site. I tried looking for other electrical jobs, but everyone is looking for 2-4 year apprentices, not ones who just graduated. One of the independent electrical contractors I went with even said that he has heard nothing but bad things about this school. Same thing with the electrical contractor my cousin worked for at the time, she said no one wants to hire graduates from that school because everyone knows it’s a bad school.

Long story short, don’t wast 30 grand. Avoid this place.

Porter and Chester gave me a new start in my life by helping me make a career change/ transition into the field of Automotive. Porter and Chester's job placement also gave me the opportunity to be employed by Uhaul while I attended school and studied for the Automotive Technician program. My life has drastically changed for the better and I am forever grateful for the teachers and staff at Porter and Chester. If you're truly a hard worker, go getter, and apply yourself as a student at Porter and Chester, you will be successful financially and personally!! I am a success story and you will be too when you attend Porter and Chester!! Hurry up and contact them for more information about their programs!!

PCI is an good institution that provided me with the knowledge to be a successful HVAC/R technician.  I had the time to study and practice my trade.   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 your are going take advantage of the program you will learn.

I highly recommend PCI.

I started in January in dental assisting and everything was well until March when they laid my teacher off, no explanantion, we were fending for ourselves and nobody would tell us what's going on or why it was happening. The vice president was rude in a response email to a fellow classmate. I feel as if I've wasted time and tons of money as it's a rip off of what i signed up for. Unprofessional attitudes and never having answers, always leaving us hanging and wondering what they will do to us next. It's truly saddening. This school has failed to communicate on why they treat staff and students poorly. Or why they have been doing what they're doing. They makes tons of money so why take our teacher away multiple times and leave us with a stranger who doesn't teach how ours did? Learning online is already difficult and we weren't considered when they decided to "lay her off" basically. They only seem to care about the money and they aren't very professional when it comes to running a company. They're sneaky and will do anything to their advantage.. i'm aware of what goes on. We never got answers and now my teacher is taken away from me once again. I'm told I can't have answers and we are once again left to be taught by a principal who knows nothing about dental. We've been fighting for answers on our own and not one person has given us answers on how we can succeed well when we weren't taught properly. As if COVID isn't  enough this school had been selfish and only caring about what's good for them. Hencing why teachers left and students aren't happy with what they have been doing. My voice seems to never be heard but I won't stop until I get answers. Mrs.C is an amazing person who bent over backwards for this school and has been treated like trash along with me and my fellow classmates. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone, they don't care about anyone but themselves and the money they collect from us.

They bent over backwards for me to make sure I graduated I had and have some health issues and they stuck by me all the way to the end thank you porter&chester

Excellent Institution for my husband.  The HVAC program provided my husband with the necessary skill to success as HVAC Technician.

Went for medical coding and billing in Worcester, MA from 2018-2019. What a scam. Worst experience ever. My teacher for my first semester actually walked out on us )her own personal marriage issues) and we were left with no teacher for about 3 weeks. The coding teacher that taught the higher level class had to keep coming in to check on us and teach when her other class was taking a test or what not. It should’ve been a sign for me to leave the school but I didn’t want to give up.  But not one of us who graduated were able to find a job in the field that pays well ($13 or $14 an hour is not worth the student debt). I ended up finding an ambulatory service job that is not related to coding at all, but took it because it paid $18/hour. I feel like I wasted time and money on complete pointlessness. Should have gone to an actual college.

Electrical teachers show lack of knowledge about trade and the way the school functions. Who ever manages the student loans over their phones just wants to charge you interest in just about everything. 0/5 stars don’t recommend. Take night classes elsewhere it will save you lots of headaches and money.

Going to the Westborough campus the staff seemed to only care about making money and not preparing their students. Contacted their office so I can get a transcript sent to a community college so I would be able to get a scholarship. All they wanted the transcript for is to prove I did not graduate. Because of them refusing to send any transcripts I am unable to get the scholarship. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I wouldn't even send my worse enemy there.

if you wanna be an electrician, don't go here. i went through 3 teachers during my year and hardly learned a thing (None of them were good at teaching and they all knew they could get better paying jobs on the field). on top of that, most electrical contractors won't take you seriously if you tell them your went here. they want to know that you have more than a year of experience and that you know your stuff WELL.

1 year to learn 4 years worth of knowledge is a tall order that only someone with a God-like aptitude can accomplish. if you think you can do it, be my guest,  but i personally couldn't learn and master the topics i was given in the required time. that, and they really dont do a good job finding you a job when youre done.

this place is a $25,000 ripoff. there ARE schools out there that are cheaper. save yourself the hassle.

My teacher was awesome, the curriculum leaves a lot to be desired and the labs need some serious updates...

There is a reason why the majority of their positive reviews can only be found on their own website...

About Porter and Chester Institute

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