The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in collaboration with Commonwealth Corporation Foundation, announced more than $440,000 in grant funding to four Career and Technical Education schools with existing Career Technical Initiative (CTI) programs. The grants will help over 680 students and adult learners during the 2025/2026 academic year by providing hands-on clean energy training equipment and related professional development while positively impacting the schools’ ability to meet the Commonwealth’s projected workforce needs in the clean energy sector. In 2024, GE Vernova Foundation granted funding to support this initiative to Commonwealth Corporation Foundation.

“Massachusetts is a global leader in clean energy, and we know we need thousands of skilled workers to support this burgeoning industry now and in the future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This public-private partnership with the business community to support schools through modernized equipment will provide students with the skills needed to succeed in these good-paying careers and help meet the needs of our employers.”

“In Massachusetts, we know that the clean energy sector provides an incredible opportunity to create hundreds of new, good-paying jobs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Working together with our business community, we are supporting Massachusetts’ students, schools, employers and local communities.”

The support of GE Vernova Foundation, coupled with braided funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, will equip schools with state-of-the-art equipment and innovative curriculum tailored to green technology. It is the hope of Commonwealth Corporation Foundation that public-private partnerships like this one will catalyze further investments, thereby enhancing the capabilities of Massachusetts’ vocational education system to lead in clean energy training.

“Commonwealth Corporation Foundation is engaging stakeholders to complement strategies that will help build a strong workforce in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, Chair of the Workforce Skills Cabinet, and member of the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation Board. “By partnering with the Workforce Skills Cabinet, we look forward to leveraging this new investment to strengthen the skills of our future talent and develop even more talent through the Career Technical Initiative to support clean energy workforce demands in Massachusetts.”

“Massachusetts is leading the way in preparing our students and adult learners for high-growth industries and the jobs of tomorrow,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “By expanding access to high-quality career technical education, we’re giving students the tools they need to succeed while helping the Commonwealth meet its climate and workforce goals.”

“The Commonwealth cannot meet its ambitious Clean Energy transition goals alone – it will take an all-hands-on deck approach,” said Commonwealth Corporation Foundation Executive Director Alanna Mallon. “This public private partnership exemplifies how we can synergize private investments like that from GE Vernova Foundation with state funding to ensure we can fill the present, and future, clean energy workforce gaps we need to be successful.”

“Progress is powered by people, and the GE Vernova Foundation is committed to supporting the energy leaders of tomorrow with critical skills training and professional development today,” said Kristin Carvell, President of the GE Vernova Foundation and Chief Communications Officer, GE Vernova. “As we work to tackle the toughest challenges in communities across Massachusetts and the world with relentless optimism, we are excited to continue our efforts to close the trade skills gap and empower the next generation.”

The CTI schools receiving awards successfully demonstrated their capacity to manage CTI programs and, with these new awards, will integrate solar, wind and/or heat pump technologies into HVAC and electrical programs. During the application process these schools have made commitments for instructors and other staff to participate in a quarterly community of practice to be convened by Commonwealth Corporation Foundation. The grant funding will upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces for schools and institutions in the CTI program focused on skills training in solar, wind, or heat pump installation and maintenance.

The following is a list of the four schools receiving hands-on training equipment and professional development support, totaling $442,340 and serving 680 students:

Attleboro Technical Institute, Attleboro: $59,540 award to train 104 participants in heat pump technology.
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Danvers: $257,585 award to train 270 participants in solar, wind and heat pump technologies.
Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Westford: $32,295 award to train 150 participants in solar and wind technologies.
Salem High School/Salem Technical Institute, Salem: $93,010 award to train 156 participants in heat pump technology.

Statements of Support:

Jeremy Guay, Associate Principal for Career and Technical Education, Attleboro High School: “Receiving a clean energy grant will enhance Attleboro Public School’s HVAC program by providing funding for energy-efficient equipment, cutting-edge training, and sustainable technology integration. This support will enable students to gain hands-on experience with green HVAC systems, preparing them for high-demand careers in energy-efficient heating and cooling. Additionally, it will help reduce operational costs while promoting environmentally friendly practices in the industry. We are thankful to Commonwealth Corporation Foundation for funding and awarding this initiative.”