Welcome to Ben Franklin Career Center, a recognized leader in technical education for fifty years. Ben Franklin Career Center offers both high school and adult students’ opportunities for learning, training, and furthering education that enrich their lives and also promotes the economic growth of our region and state. All instruction is designed to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of our students, our community, and the businesses we serve.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTION
In the 1971-1972 school year Ben Franklin Career Center was opened. The first graduating class was in 1973. This school was started as a vocational and technical school, operated under Kanawha County Schools.
The school consists of 4 (four) local high schools. The secondary programs offered are: Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Robotics, Carpentry, Electrical Technician, Computer Repair Technology, Coding & Game Design, HVAC Technician, Energy & Power, Medical Assisting, Therapeutic Services, Pre-Nursing, and Law Enforcement. The postsecondary programs are: Electrical Technician, Surgical Technology, and Welding. All programs listed above are certificate programs.
The school has one campus and employs two (2) full-time administrators, one (1) financial aid/adult programs counselor, one (1) high school counselor, twenty-seven (27) high school instructors, three (3) adult instructors, one (1) secretary, and four and a half (4.5) custodians.
The building is 93,830 square feet with over 100 parking spaces available. The campus is comprised of one main structure with one portable classroom and an adjacent building.
Our Philosophy
It is the responsibility of Ben Franklin Career Center to meet the needs of secondary and adult students who are interested in developing skills, knowledge, proper work ethic, and competencies for working in the 21st Century. We encourage students to understand that pride comes not necessarily from the type of job one has, but from the type of work he/she does and the service he/she renders.