MONTAGUE — Franklin County Technical School, in collaboration with the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, is offering courses in automotive technology, electrical, horticulture, and welding and metal fabrication for adult learners starting this week.

The four courses will run for 12 weeks each, and will be held Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. starting Sept. 9. Franklin Tech received a nearly $2 million grant from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development that allows for free education for eligible individuals seeking training for entry-level jobs in these fields. As long as applicants meet the income criteria of earning $49,100 or less annually, they will not be required to pay for tuition, fees or materials.

In spring 2025, a carpentry class will be added to the list of courses available for adult learners. Additionally, starting in January, Franklin Tech will partner with The Peterson School to offer adult education courses in basic air conditioning, plumbing and oil burner testing.

According to Franklin Tech’s Community Education and Outreach Coordinator Justin Lawrence, these Career Technical Institute courses have proven to be very popular as there have been more applicants than there are openings in the classrooms. However, applicants must meet the income threshold to be accepted.

“The classes are becoming more competitive,” Lawrence said in a statement. “It’s a testimony to the quality of the teachers we’re getting and the commitment of the students.”

Offering adult professional development courses is an effort by Superintendent Richard Martin to open up the school for students of all ages.

“In the planning stages of the Adult Education Program, Mr. Martin made it clear that we have this wonderful asset in this building and that we are tasked with extending this resource to the county,” Lawrence said in a statement. “This is the county’s school, not just the school for our day students and their families.”

The classes for these trades will teach the skills required for those seeking employment within the field, and information on how to apply for such jobs will be provided. Resume writing and interview preparation will be taught to students as well.

Among Franklin Tech’s other offerings, an electrical code class will also be taught starting Sept. 10 for a fee of $655 along with $110 for a textbook. This class will run for 15 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it will prepare electrical apprentices for getting their journeyman’s license in Massachusetts.

Other professional development courses available for a fee are Become a Home Inspector, Veterinary Assistant, and CompTIA IT Certification Training. Additional courses that are available in-person and online for a fee include knitting, photography, language learning, baking, website creation and more.

More information on classes for adult and registration can be found at fcts.us/apps/pages/AdultEd.