Workforce development funding will train, upskill, and hire untapped talent in health care, life sciences, culinary arts, and more     

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BOSTON, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $15.9 million in workforce development grant funding for 22 initiatives across Massachusetts, representing partnerships with employers, training providers, and regional collaborators. This latest round of workforce development funding will train, upskill, and provide job placement for 2,182 workers for in-demand occupations in health care, human services, life sciences, culinary arts, and more.   

Today’s announced investments in Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success grants are funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation through the state’s Fundo Fiduciário de Competitividade da Força de Trabalho. Each awarded grant aims to close the skills gap, increase access to well-paying jobs for unemployed and underemployed residents, and strengthen productivity and workforce needs among employers in regions throughout Massachusetts.  

“These Workforce Success Grants will provide hundreds of Massachusetts residents with access to quality job training and connect our employers with the skilled workforce they need to do business,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Recruiting and retaining a strong and diverse workforce is key to our economic growth and competitiveness.” 

  

“With these grants, we are supporting both our workforce and our businesses and putting the state in a position to not only succeed but thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The grants will help these organizations attract and retain the skilled talent they need and give our workforce the training to help them on their career pathway.” 

 

Secretary Lauren Jones of Labor and Workforce Development announced awarded grants at Snapchef in Springfield. Among the 22 grantees, Snapchef plans to train, upskill, and provide employment for 168 in Culinary Professional roles.  

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration values teaming up with employers and workforce partners spanning many industries to build the skilled talent needed for jobs in-demand across Massachusetts,” said Secretary Lauren Jones of Labor and Workforce Development. “By investing in these collaborative partnerships, we are increasing access, opportunities, and outcomes for Massachusetts residents to train, upskill, and compete in our growing workforce.”  

“On behalf of the Administration, Commonwealth Corporation congratulates these twenty-two partnerships,” said Commonwealth Corporation President and CEO Molly Jacobson. “CommCorp is proud to support these high-quality initiatives that connect Massachusetts residents and workers to high-demand employment opportunities across the state.”  

The following is a list of the 22 grant recipients, totaling $15,950,698 to train and hire 2,182 individuals:  

Action Ambulance, Inc., Wilmington: $1,298,547  

Action Ambulance, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 90 unemployed and underemployed participants for Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic positions. They will partner with Patriot Ambulance and PrideStar Ambulance.  

  

Aspire Training and Development, Shrewsbury: $500,000  

Aspire Training and Development will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants for Sous Chef, Line Cook, Prep Cook, Waitstaff, Breakfast Attendant, Event Server, and Food Service Worker. They will partner with Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, Thomas Aquinas College, Northampton Brewery, SnapChef, and Chicopee Public Schools Food Services.  

  

Bay Path University, Longmeadow: $1,768,036  

Bay Path University will provide training and placement services to 144 unemployed and underemployed participants for Healthcare Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Residential Support Professional positions. They will partner with Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Toward Independent Learning and Living (TILL, Inc.).  

  

Bioversity, Inc., Cambridge: $500,000  

Bioversity, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed worker participants for Laboratory Operations, Facilities Management, Environment Health and Safety (EHS), Accessioning, Metrology, Supply Chain, and Inventory Management positions. They will partner with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Flagship Lab Services, Merck, and Boston Lab Services.  

  

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Centerville: $500,000  

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce will provide training and placement services to 50 unemployed and underemployed participants for CDL Driver positions. They will partner with Eldredge & Bourne Moving & Storage, Baxter Inc., Chatham Boat Co., and Hall Oil Gas and Electric.  

  

Emerge Career, Boston: $1,350,000  

Emerge Career will provide training and placement services to 150 formerly incarcerated unemployed and underemployed participants reentering the workforce for CDL Driver positions. They will partner with Performance Foodservice, NFI, Feeney Brothers Utility Services, Braun’s Express, Gordon Food Service, and P&S Transportation.  

  

Forge Team, Inc., Auburndale: $384,250  

Forge Team, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 84 unemployed and underemployed participants for HVAC Technician positions. They will partner with Forge Windows and Forge Interior.  

  

Holyoke Community College, Holyoke:  $1,564,732   

Holyoke Community College is leading a consortium that includes Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Roxbury Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College, to provide training and placement services to 330 participants for Paraprofessional Educator roles. Additional key partners include Holyoke Public Schools, Central Berkshire Regional School District, Springfield Public Schools, William Monroe Trotter Elementary School & Henry L. Higginson Inclusion School, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Mattahunt Elementary School, and Greenfield Public Schools. 

  

Justice Resource Institute, Inc., Needham: $402,980  

Justice Resource Institute, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 50 unemployed and underemployed participants for Pharmacy Technician, Patient Care Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Substance Addiction Assistant, Animal Care Technician, Automotive Technician, Biotechnology Manufacturing Associate, Carpentry Apprentice, Early Childhood Education, Healthcare Cleaning, HVAC, and Hotel Training positions. They will partner with Brigham & Women’s Hospital and CVS.  

  

Mass General Brigham, Somerville: $511,500  

Mass General Brigham will provide training and placement services to 30 unemployed and underemployed participants for Medical Laboratory Scientist and Medical Technologist positions. They will partner with Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital, and Cooley Dickinson Hospital.  

  

MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, New Bedford: $400,000  

MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants for Paraprofessionals/ Future Educator positions. They will partner with New Bedford Public Schools and Fairhaven Public Schools.   

  

National Grid, Waltham: $1,794,131  

National Grid will provide training and placement services to 270 unemployed and underemployed participants for Meter Service Representative, Clerk, Pipe Handler, Customer Service Associate, Revenue Service Associate, Establish Service Representative, Warehouse Stock Handlers & Records Technician, Line Worker Apprentice, Material Handler, Maintenance Worker Helper, Designer B Engineer, O&M Worker Apprentice, Cable Splicer Apprentice, Automotive Technician, and Utility Laborer positions. They will partner with Feeney Brothers and Riley Brothers.  

  

Operation ABLE of Greater Boston, Boston: $286,080  

Operation ABLE of Greater Boston will provide training and placement services to 40 unemployed and underemployed participants for Front Desk/Receptionist staff positions. They will partner with Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers; Harbor Health Services, Inc.; Brockton Neighborhood Health Center; and Mattapan Community Health Center.  

  

Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc., Athol:  

Award 1: $500,000  

Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 72 unemployed and underemployed participants for Human Services Professionals positions. They will partner with Resources for Human Development (RHD Boston) and Riverside Community Care. 

 

Award 2: $500,000 

Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 72 unemployed and underemployed participants for autism support and Paraprofessional positions supporting autistic children and adults. They will partner with Worcester Public Schools, Fitchburg Public Schools, Autism Allies, and Team BPS.      

  

Quincy College, Quincy: $500,000  

Quincy College will provide training and placement services to 90 unemployed and underemployed participants for Food Preparation Worker positions. They will partner with Wutabon Inc., Boston College Auxiliary Services, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth, and Kam Man Food.  

  

Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester: $500,000  

Quinsigamond Community College will provide training and placement services to 90 unemployed and underemployed participants for Clinical Medical Assistant and Personal Care Assistant positions. They will partner with UMass Memorial Hospital, Harrington Hospital, Reliant Medical Group, and Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.  

  

Regis College, Weston: $260,150  

Regis College will provide training and advancement services to 30 incumbent worker participants for Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomist positions. They will partner with Emerson Health, South Shore Health, Lawrence General Hospital, and Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.  

  

Seacoast Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Gloucester: $235,000  

Seacoast Rehabilitation and Nursing Center will provide training and placement services to 52 unemployed and underemployed participants for CNA positions. They will partner with Ledgewood Rehab and Nursing Center.  

  

SnapChef, Dorchester/Springfield: $500,000  

SnapChef will provide training and placement services to 168 unemployed and underemployed participants for Culinary Professional positions. They will partner with Loophole Brewing, Fresh Food Generation and Daily Table.  

  

Stack Education Partners, Boston: $450,000  

Stack Education Partners will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed and incumbent worker participants for Research Administrator positions. They will partner with Boston Children’s Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and UMass Chan Medical School.  

  

STEMatch, Inc., Wellesley: $1,245,292  

STEMatch, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 130 unemployed and underemployed participants for Computer and Information Analyst, Computer Support Specialist, Software and Web Developer, Programmer, and Tester positions. They will partner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Azenta Life Sciences, Mimecast, MKS Instruments, Vest Technical Solutions, the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the Advanced Cyber Security Center, Franklin Cummings Technical Institutes Bay Community College, North Shore Community College, and Northern Essex Community College.  

   

Supportive Quotes  

 

“Receiving the WCTF Donnelly grant from Commonwealth Corporation is a transformative moment for Snapchef, Snapchef Foundation, and the communities we serve. This funding will allow us to expand our Fast Track Hands-On Culinary Training Program, equipping individuals with the skills employers need and providing a clear pathway to stable and rewarding careers. Workforce development is at the heart of what we do, as it not only empowers individuals but also strengthens families and communities. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to make a significant impact and look forward to the positive changes it will bring.” – Todd Snopkowski, Snapchef CEO and Co-Founder 

 

“We are very excited about the opportunity this grant offers to build a robust collaboration with Cooley Dickinson Hospital, TILL, Inc. and our other partners, which include the MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers in the Pioneer Valley and Northeast Planning Regions, Springfield Works!, and the United Way of Pioneer Valley. With our focus on unemployed or underemployed individuals, our vision is to accelerate their entry into upwardly mobile career and educational pathways in the healthcare and human services fields through entry-level healthcare assistant positions, thereby addressing critical workforce shortages in the regions we serve.” – Sandy Doran, Bay Path University President 

 

“Polus Center is extremely grateful for the tremendous support we have received over the years through the Senator Donnelly WCTF grants that have allowed us to provide comprehensive virtual training for people with disabilities and members of other vulnerable communities. These two grants help us train the supporters to provide the most effective services for those communities, and our collaboration with employers in the design and delivery of the programs ensures that the training turns into offers for competitive employment in these in-demand fields. We are proud to partner with Commonwealth Corporation to implement these programs to support the unemployed community to find meaningful work, and to support employers to find the best trained and ready workers.” – Theresa E. Kane, Executive Director, Polus Center U.S.