In a significant boost for vocational training and job creation, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has doled out $24.2 million to various Massachusetts school districts, targeting the expansion of career technical training opportunities. The grants will serve 2,500 job seekers, focusing on high-demand occupations in the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Mass.gov reports that this funding goes directly to 23 school districts for hands-on, skill-building programs during evening hours.
Highlighting the initiative’s commitment towards adult learners, especially the unemployed and underemployed from underserved communities, Governor Healey said, “The CTI program opens doors for adult learners by providing the hands-on training they need to step into high-demand careers in construction, the trades and manufacturing.” Lieutenant Governor Driscoll emphasized the program’s role in building a job-ready workforce, strengthening the state’s talent pipeline crucial for Massachusetts employers’ competitiveness. These grants represent a continuation of the administration’s strategy, which has invested $53 million in CTI Grants since 2023, training over 6,090 individuals to date.
Implementation grants were awarded to institutions like Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, which received $931,000. According to Mass.gov, Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler lauded the effort, stating, “With this investment in career technical education, we are creating more pathways for adult learners to gain the skills and experience needed to enter high-demand industries like the trades, construction, and manufacturing.” The grants cover a variety of training programs, including Welding, Advanced Manufacturing, Culinary Arts, and more…