There are programs underway in Worcester schools to help students achieve and excel.

One of them has high school students donning scrubs and lab coats and getting hand-on experience in the medical field.

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Created in 1996, the Worcester Pipeline Collaborative provides mentoring, job-shadowing, specialized programs, speakers and trips focused on learning. The overall goal is to challenge under-represented and disadvantaged students to pursue careers in health care and the biomedical and biotechnology industries.

One component is the Health and Sciences Academy at North High School. Students in middle school who show an interest in science and related studies can apply to attend and get a jump-start on a career.

"We're teaching them the clinical skills that a nursing assistant would need," said nurse and instructor Leigh Emery.

Students in Emery's class have the qualifications to become a nursing assistant once they graduate from high school. They can also continue on to college and pursue another medical career.

Former student Jonathan Quang said the Pipeline Program changed his life.

"I got to see a cadaver for the first time. I got to see a surgery. So, it was really amazing stuff at age 15 or 16," said Quang. "It gave me a really early exposure to that material, so before I even got to college, I knew what I wanted to major in."

Today, Quang is in medical school working his way to becoming a doctor in emergency medicine.

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Program gives young students hands-on medical experience