Today, the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $2 million in 2021-2022 Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants for Expanded Training Capacity & Employment Program Performance. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta announced the new funding at Quinsigamond Community College’s (QCC) Healthcare and Workforce Development Center.

 

Administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Donnelly Grants are funded through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) FY’21-FY’22 Appropriations and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. These grants represent the ongoing effort by the Workforce Skills Cabinet (WSC) to support additional capacity in sector-based employment programs that provide job training, placement, and retention services to unemployed and underemployed Massachusetts residents.

“Donnelly Grants support regional partnerships between businesses, community-based organizations, workforce development organizations, and educational institutions to prepare Massachusetts residents for occupations in high-demand fields,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We continue to support these partnerships because they contribute to the growth of the Massachusetts economy as well as to the economic advancement of families across the Commonwealth.”  

“As our economy adjusts to the impacts of the pandemic, Massachusetts is well-positioned for future growth thanks to our strong sectors like healthcare and life sciences and these grants are a critical part of our efforts to equip the workforce of tomorrow,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I congratulate our four grantees who continue to provide programming and job placement in the high-need sectors of education, life sciences, and healthcare.”  

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to funding workforce development programming that helps close job and equity gaps across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta. “These Donnelly grant recipients are key partners in continuing our efforts to meet the increasing needs of both job seekers and employers.” 

This funding will provide training for 592 unemployed and underemployed individuals in Massachusetts, providing pathways to careers with opportunity for upward mobility.

The Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants in this round of funding are awarded to: 

Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Boston — $500,000 

Partnership to provide training and placement services to prepare 150 participants for Assistant Teacher positions 

Partners include: ABCD Head Start, Little Sprouts, Horizons for Homeless Children, YMCA, Little Folks Community Day Care, Romper Room, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Mission Grammar School. 

Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Pittsfield — $500,000 

Partnership to provide training and placement services to prepare 190 participants for Nursing Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) positions 

Partners include: Berkshire Healthcare Systems operating 15 skilled nursing facilities, three assisted living facilities, and two Hospice providers in Massachusetts 

Holyoke Community College, Holyoke — $500,000 

Partnership to provide training and placement services to prepare 180 participants for Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) positions 

Partners include: Baystate Health and CareOne 

Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester — $500,000 

Partnership to provide training and placement services to prepare 72 participants for Biotechnology technician positions 

Partners include: AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Resilience, and Boston BioProducts 

To learn more about the Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants and the WCTF please visit commcorp.org.