$13.4 Million Awarded to Expand Career Technical Training and Workforce Skills for More Than 1,600 Jobseekers

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $13.4 million in Iniciativa para Carreras Técnicas (Career Technical Initiative, CTI) (CTI) implementation and planning grants today to 21 organizations to train 1,641 jobseekers for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in partnership with over 180 employers across Massachusetts.

The CTI grant program partners with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The administration also awarded a planning grant to an organization to prepare and design future training.

“These awards will help address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways so that the construction, trades, and manufacturing sectors can continue to thrive now and in the future,” said Governor Healey. “CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers, and employers as we continue to promote a competitive and equitable economy.”

“Massachusetts has some of the best schools in the world, and that includes our career and technical education schools,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This program taps into our world class educational system to help individuals receive vital job training in critical industries and expand our skilled talent pool for employers in regions across Massachusetts.”

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) oversees the CTI program, which is administered by Commonwealth Corporations, a quasi-public agency of EOLWD. In partnership with the Executive Office of Education, CTI transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become “Career Technical Institutes” that run three shifts a day for skill-building programs in the trades, construction, and manufacturing career pathways. The $13.4 million awarded today focuses on job training during the evening hours, or third shift, for adult learners.

“As we close the workforce skills gap, the CTI grant program delivers a collaborative solution to leverage resources at career and technical education schools as an opportunity to train and prepare jobseekers for current workforce demands,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We appreciate the partnership with career and technical education schools, MassHire Regional Workforce Boards and career centers, businesses, and labor for paving the way for more jobseekers to gain meaningful skills and employment right here in Massachusetts.”

“With this $13 million investment in career technical education, we are expanding opportunities for adults to get hands-on, applied learning opportunities in trade, construction, and manufacturing career pathways across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am grateful to our career and technical education schools and employer partnerships who are supporting this work to expand access to career connected learning and strengthen our local economy and workforce.”

Secretary Jones made the announcement today at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District. The school received $880,000 to provide training to 110 participants for HVAC, Culinary, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, and Welding positions.

“We are thrilled to be the recipients of this grant and to continue to expand our adult education opportunities for residents in this area of the Commonwealth,” said Karen Maguire, Superintendent-Director, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. “This grant will allow us to add variety to the training programs we offer which will in turn fill the employment needs in our area.”

Since 2020, more than $30 million in funding has been awarded through nine rounds of CTI grants. Each CTI proposal for Round 9 was required to include a minimum of three Massachusetts based employer partners that would potentially employ the target occupation and commit to interview and hire graduates.

“Across Massachusetts, our career and technical education schools stand as pillars of the CTI program, offering high-quality training in vital sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and skilled trades,” said Molly Jacobson, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation. “Our career and technical education schools serve as the cornerstone for building the talent pipelines necessary to achieve our collective workforce development goals.”

Grant Awards

The following is a list of the 20 grant recipients for Round 9 Implementation Grants, totaling $13.3 million to train and hire 1,641 individuals in partnership with over 180 employers:

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District, Marlborough: $809,930.05
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District will provide training to 100 participants for Automotive Technology, CNC Machine Operator, HVAC, Welding, Plumbing, Electrical, and Automotive Body Repair positions. They will partner with Lincoln Tool, Phillips Precision, American Welding Society, Henry Pacific Plumbing and Heating, Connexcus, AG General, Bowline, Pile Drivers Local Union 56, FW Webb, Demelo Heating and AC, Renaud Electric, CSI Group, and Elite Electrical.

Attleboro High School, Attleboro: $907,950
Attleboro will provide training to 96 participants for Welding, HVAC, Plumbing, and Automotive Technology positions. They will partner with Engineered Materials Solutions, Environmental Systems Inc, O’Neal Plumbing & Heating, Paldino Brothers Plumbing & Heating, SpeeDee Oil Change $ Auto Service, Landes Family Auto Sales, Trustworthy Auto, Cross Street Automotive, Lockheed Architectural Solutions, Sousa & DeMayo Inc., Green Bros. Fabrication, Larson Tool & Stamping, and Robert Russell Company.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Canton: $490,000
Blue Hills Regional Technical School will provide training to 60 individuals for Building Maintenance positions. They will partner with Cox Engineering, Forge, TG Gallagher, and 88 Acres.

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Boston: $480,000
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School will provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technology and Carpentry positions. They will partner with Group 1 Automotive, Boston Duck Tours, North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund, Wooden Kiwi, and McGovern Automotive.

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, Taunton: $106,000
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School will provide training to 12 participants for Welding positions. They will partner with Wayne’s Sheet Metal, Green Brothers Fabrication, and Brouillette HVAC and Sheet Metal.

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District, Danvers: $2,000,000
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District will provide training to 250 participants for Automotive Technology, BioLab Tech, Carpentry, CNC Machinist, Construction Craft Laborer, Culinary, Electrical, Electromechanical Manufacturing, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding positions. They will partner with Acura of Peabody, Honda North of Danvers, Kelly Automotive Group, Cell Signaling Technology, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, New England BioLabs, North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund, Star Construction, Groom Construction, Local 22 Construction Laborers Union, Evans Industries, GE Aerospace, Harmonic Drive, Bacci Chocolate Design, Brooksby Village, Frank Restaurant, Cranney Home Services, North Shore Tech Electrical LLC, Taormina Electrical, Inc., Innovent Technologies, Harmonic Drive, Medtronics, Microchip, NeuroLogica , Lake HVAC, Semper Mechanical Heating and Cooling, Breen and Sullivan, North Shore Mechanical Contractors, and Iron Workers Local 7.

Greater Lowell Technical High School, Tyngsborough: $480,000
Greater Lowell Technical High School will provide training to 60 participants for Electrical, Welding, and Carpentry positions. They will partner with Gaspari, Inc., Medford Wellington Service, Lowell Iron and Steel, Nashoba Building and Remodeling, Short Circuit Electric, Middlesex 3, and BC Electrical Services.

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford: $360,000

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School will provide training to 45 participants for Welding, Automotive Technology, and Marine Technology positions. They will partner with Toyota of Dartmouth, Alden Buick, Joe and Perky’s, Community Boating Center, Drew’s Marine Services, South Wharf Yacht Yard, Chasse Industrial Services, Thane Fabrication, C&H Marine Services, and Chasse Industrial Services.

Keefe Regional Vocational Technical School District, Framingham: $569,821.90

Keefe Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training to 70 participants for Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing positions. They will partner with Hatton Electric, Harvard Art Museum, Coan Oil, Larkin/Hathaway Inc., Pipe Right Plumbing, Green Plumbing and Heating, Republic Plumbing Supply, and R.C. Meany & Daughter Plumbing.

Lynn Technical Vocational Institute (Lynn Public Schools), Lynn: $490,000

Lynn Technical Vocational Institute (Lynn Public Schools) will provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technology, Welding, and Plumbing positions. They will partner with Pride Motors, JR Welding, and Innovent Technologies.

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, Lexington: $1,207,704.99

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training to 150 participants for Carpentry, Plumbing, Welding, and Groundskeeping positions. They will partner with North Atlantic State Carpenter’s Training Fund, Carpentry, Sweeney Drywall, Specialty Services of NE, Atlantic Heating and Air Conditioning, Bradford White Water Heaters, Iron Workers Local 7, and JAC Steel-Fab, Inc.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Westford: $560,000

Nashoba Valley Technical High School will provide training to 70 participants for Automotive Technology, Plumbing, and Electrical positions. They will partner with McGovern Auto Group, MegaTech Corporation, NuCar Honda of Westford, Norman E. Day, Inc., Tocco Building Systems, Village Home Services, Domination Plumbing, Middlesex 3 Coalition, Milltown Plumbing & Heating, and Schuster Plumbing & Heating.

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School District, Palmer: $336,703

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training to 40 participants for Carpentry, Groundskeeping and Equipment Operator positions. They will partner with Ken Kozlik Building & Remodeling, Monson Woodworks, Kozyra Construction, P&H Excavating, Town of Belchertown DPW, and Town of Palmer DPW.

Salem Public Schools, Salem: $480,000

Salem Public Schools will provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technology and Building & Property Maintenance positions. They will partner with Herb Chambers, Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, Sudbay Motors, Habitat for Humanity, Home Depot, and Carpenters Local 723.

Southeastern Regional School District, South Easton: $1,120,000

Southeastern Regional School District will provide training to 140 participants in Culinary Arts, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding positions. They will partner with AccuRounds, Machine Inc., North Easton Machine, Professional Tool Grinding Co., Inc., Bowline Workforce Consulting, LLC, DeAngelis Iron Work, Inc., Hilliard’s Chocolate System, Ironworkers Local 7, Pile Drivers Local Union 56, Good Days Restaurant, Chiara Bistro, and Wicked Flavah Cafe & Food Truck.

Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District, Charlton: $893,480

Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District will provide training to 108 participants for Advanced Manufacturing, Culinary, HVAC, Sheet Metal, Auto Body & Collision Repair, and Building & Property Maintenance positions. They will partner with Dexter, Long Subaru, DCU Center, Baps Auto Paint & Supply, Package Steel Systems, Inc., General Mechanical Contractors, Inc., RPM Heating and Air Conditioning, Menkiti Group, Woody’s Auto Body, Fuller’s Collision Center, A&M Tool & Die Co., Kinefac Corporation, ckSmithSuperior, Pine Ridge Country Club, The Overlook, and UMass Memorial Health.

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District, Franklin: $880,000

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training to 110 participants for HVAC, Culinary, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, and Welding positions. They will partner with Mystic Scenic Studios, MAS Building and Bridge, Herrick and White Architectural Woodworkers, Plansee International, Northland Willette Inc., Sweet Basil, The Shed Executive, 3 Restaurant, Rodenhiser Home Improvement, Suburban HVAC, BLD Heating and Cooling Inc., Planet Jeep, Vendetti Motors, and Northland Willette Inc.

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, Bourne: $192,000

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School will provide training to 24 participants for Plumbing positions. They will partner with High Efficiency, Kevin Connolly, and Forrest Ferrill.

Weymouth Public Schools, Weymouth: $224,000

Weymouth Public Schools will provide training to 28 participants for Automotive Technology positions. They will partner with JB Auto Care, Pleasant Car Care, and Kennedy Carpet Cleaners.

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Haverhill: $784,000

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School will provide training to 98 participants for Welding, Advanced Manufacturing, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Culinary Arts, Marine Technology, Construction Laborer, and Auto Body & Collision Repair positions. They will partner with Fairview Machine, Magellan, Aero Manufacturing, Auto Body Builders, Repairs Unlimited, Bradford Towing & Auto Repair, Cale Wood Construction, Pepe Training, M.L. Mazzotta Building & Excavation, Germaine Lawn & Landscape Pepe Training, Premier Builders, Inc., East Coast Welding & Fabrication, Metalcrafters Inc., Momentum Manufacturing Group, A Sweet Affair, Whitson’s Culinary Group, Chococoa Baking Company, Donahue & Son Electric, Sanford Electric, Piquette & Howard Electric Service, Inc., American Boat & Yacht Council, Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Manchester Marine Corporation, T.J. Thistlewood LLC, Bourque Plumbing & Heating LLC, and Riverside Plumbing & Heating.

Additionally, one grantee was awarded a FY24 Planning Grants, totaling $50,000 to plan and prepare for the implementation of future training:

Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District, North Adams: $50,000
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District will partner with Pittsfield Public Schools to conduct planning to deliver training in FY’25 for the target occupations of Automotive Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding. They will partner with MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board and MassHire Berkshire Career Center.

Statements of support

“We are thrilled to be able to support our region’s economy by providing career technical education to underemployed or unemployed adults. These training programs are critical to provide a skilled workforce for our region and we are appreciative of the funding to do this work.” – Maureen Lynch, Superintendent, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

“It is incredible to be awarded this amount that will support workforce development across multiple industries. Essex Tech is committed to train the future workforce and provide skilled workers for our local businesses. The partnership with our workforce boards and businesses is the secret sauce that makes the programs at Essex Tech so successful. We are grateful that Governor Healey recognizes the need and has the trust in our ability to deliver skilled labor to the north shore.” – Heidi Riccio, Superintendent-Director, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District.

“We are honored to receive this CTI grant, which will enable Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School to expand our training programs in Welding, Automotive Technology, and Marine Technology. This funding is crucial for our adult learners in Greater New Bedford, providing them with the readiness, retraining, and skills needed for high-demand jobs in our region. By partnering with local employers, we are building a stronger, more inclusive workforce that meets the demands of Massachusetts’ growing industries and supports the expanding economy of Greater New Bedford.”  – Michael P. Watson, Superintendent-Director, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.