LEXINGTON — Several career and technical programs received grants to modernize equipment and expand training opportunities for young people and adults as part of the administration’s multiyear effort to address skills gaps so more residents can pursue careers in growing industries and employers can hire qualified workers to grow their businesses.
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, along with Secretary of Education James Peyser, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, visited Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington to meet with middle school students who are exploring different career technical programs this summer.
The governor announced $22 million in Skills Capital grants awarded to 70 educational institutions, and an additional $10 million awarded to 23 vocational schools to expand programs for both young people and adults as part of the Career Technical Initiative (CTI).
The Skills Capital grants that will benefit local students include:
Wachusett Regional High School, Holden - $75,000, Manufacturing: The grant funds will support the Innovation Pathways program in manufacturing for the following industries: manufacturing, metal fabrication, general construction, engineering design, and electrical engineering. Equipment will be purchased to support the engineering technology program at the high school, including CNC-based machinery, metal fabrication and joining equipment, wood fabrication and joining equipment, fabric/vinyl fabrication and joining equipment, and 3D printing equipment.
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, Marlborough - $499,720, Programming and Web Development: The school will use the grant to provide high school students and adult learners with a robust set of entry-level skills necessary for multiple IT and business specialties.
Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, Lexington - $354,000, Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies: The school will train students for high-demand occupations in metal fabrication and joining technologies, as well as animal science/vet assisting. The school will expand and deepen curriculum, add industry-recognized credentials, increase secondary enrollment in existing programs and offer post-secondary opportunities for adults enrolled in the Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI).
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fitchburg - $399,546, HVAC and Property Maintenance: The school will purchase new equipment to enhance the high-quality vocational training it provides to high school students, as well as non-traditional students through the School of Continuing Education. The school is responding to an increased demand for professionals to fill career HVAC & property maintenance.
This round of CTI grants will help train more than 1,600 people for new careers in construction, manufacturing and other trades with growing workforce demands. Local grants that will benefit local students include:
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical School, Marlborough - $703,540: Assabet will provide training and placement to prepare 118 participants for welding, diesel tech, auto tech, cook and CNC machine operator positions. Employer partners include Lincoln Tool & Machine Corp, Phillips Precision, Jabil Healthcare, City of Marlborough Public Works, Advantage Truck Group, Advantage Truck Leasing, Pile Drivers Local Union, DECCO Inc., and MAS Building & Bridge, Inc.
Minuteman Regional Vocational School District, Lexington, $900,000: Minuteman will provide training to 100 participants in the following pathway: Carpentry, CNC machine operation, plumbing and welding. Employer partners include: NovaBiomedical, AIS, Sweeney Drywall, Finish Installations of NE, North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Bradford White Water Heaters, Atlantic Heating and Plumbing, Rolls Royce-Naval, Ironworkers Local 7 Joint Apprentice Committee, Pile Drivers Local Union 56, and Steel-fab, Inc.
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg, $599,970: Montachusett rill provide training and placement to prepare 100 participants for welding, property maintenance, culinary arts, electrical and CNC operator positions. They will partner with Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Interstate Electrical Services, Great Wolf Lodge, Belaire Property Management, Fitchburg Welding Company, Tim’s Fabricator’s Inc., and L.S. Starrett Co.
“Since our administration launched these critically important programs, high schools, colleges and other educational institutions throughout the Commonwealth have created and expanded numerous training programs with Skills Capital Grants and developed new training opportunities for young people and adults with the Career Technical Initiative,” Baker said. “We are very proud of the lasting impact these grants will have on the Massachusetts workforce and the future of the Commonwealth as they prepare the next generation of innovative leaders in cutting-edge industries.”