Whitinsville, MASS., August 24, 2011 — For the fourth year, Access TCA has supported the robotics team at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Mass. The assistance highlights Access' ongoing partnership with Blackstone Valley Tech, helping students prepare for technical careers.

In addition to financial support, Access contributes sheet metal, plastic and other materials for the robot. The company invites the BVR team to bring their shopping list to Access' specialty fabrication shop and select items from the remnant supply.

“We're proud to support Blackstone Valley Tech. The school has an outstanding program that gives young people the skills they need for rewarding careers," said Mike Yag, Access founder and CEO."It's a win-win for the community and for Access and our specialty fabrication division. From a business perspective, we are helping build the qualified workforce our company will need in the future."

Blackstone Valley Tech is a four-year high school offering a demanding blend of academics and vocational training in 17 disciplines. Each student chooses a program from fields such as carpentry, graphic arts, metal fabrication, information technology, culinary arts and health services. The school serves 1,100 students from 12 communities in the Blackstone Valley region.

BVT's robotics team has competed in the national FIRST Robotics program since 1996. Each year, teams receive the season's challenge in January and have six weeks to design and build a robot that can perform the required task. The teams compete against other high schools at tournaments that take on the competitive spirit and pageantry of varsity sports.

Team members get hands-on experience in engineering, fabrication and problem solving under pressure. At the same time, they learn to manage a complex project as a group.

Access has also participated in BVT's annual job fair, introducing the live communications industry as a career option for students interested in specialty fabrication fields such as metalworking, carpentry, design, print and industrial sewing.

Among several BVT students who have interned at Access, the 2009 fair resulted in the hiring of graduate David VanDerpoel, who is employed in Access' one-of-a-kind specialty fabrication shop.

“We at Access are big advocates for supporting the education of our youth and bringing community and business together for that cause," said Walter Runne, Access business operations director and liaison with BVT."And the real payoff comes when I sit in the stands at the competition. It's really exciting, and I'm proud to see the amazing results of the students' hard work."

About Access TCA, Inc.
Access TCA is an Outcome Communications™ company that creates value for our clients by delivering to their desired business outcomes in everything we do.

We deliver with a comprehensive product offering that includes communications planning, event and exhibit production, creative and media products and global support services.

www.accesstca.com.