SPRINGIFLED, Mass. - Students at Springfield Technical Community College with young children will be able to receive support through the opening of a brand-new Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start program on campus.

The multiservice agency, which provides affordable child care to families in need across Greater Springfield, will now operate a preschool and infantile room on school grounds.

A ribbon cutting was held Monday afternoon to unveil the new facility, which will also be open to non STCC students as well.

"It's two-fold," said HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais. "One, we're here on campus to provide child care for students who are trying to complete their studies and removing child care as a barrier as well as to replenish the early education and care workforce."

HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais said many teachers and child care workers have left the industry in recent years, so their services are in high demand.

She said having their organization on campus will also give students more hands-on training opportunities for careers in child development.

"When you're going to school, you're thinking about your future self," said Bais. "And you're thinking about a future career and so we want to make it as easy as possible to give you some hands on experience of what its like teaching this age group and giving you a path to employment."

Blais said HCS is looking for fill teaching positions. Students and families interested in signing up can do so on their website.