On June 10, the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow stopped at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, MA, offering students a hands-on glimpse into careers that build and sustain communities.
The event was held in Doherty’s newly opened, 425,000 sq ft, carbon-negative facility, lauded as one of Worcester’s most energy-efficient municipal buildings.
Hosted by APWA Region I Director Rich Benevento and APWA President Dominick Longobardi, the morning featured remarks from local leaders—including City Manager Eric Batista and engineering leaders from ACEC Massachusetts and ASCE—who emphasized the critical role that infrastructure careers play in addressing societal needs.
Students in Doherty’s robust CTE programs—including Engineering Technology, Construction Craft Laborer, and Programming & Web Development—engaged directly with professionals during Q&A sessions, drawing clear connections between classroom learning and real-world public works projects.
Benevento noted that Doherty “functions similarly to public works by integrating education with practical applications … embodying the spirit of public works in an educational setting.”
The event underscored APWA’s commitment to growing the public works pipeline and demonstrated how schools like Doherty, through practical curriculum and community investment, are key to building tomorrow’s infrastructure leaders.
