The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that they have awarded $281,000 in Work-Based Learning grants to 14 school districts across Massachusetts. These awardees will join the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) pilot program that aims to build systems and strategically align resources to expand impactful work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and pre-apprenticeship programs, that prepare students for success in college and careers.

“Work-based learning experiences are key to preparing students for the future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help support strong partnerships between schools and employers, opening doors for students in critical STEM fields like health care, manufacturing, and technology. This is a win for students, a win for our employers, and a win for Massachusetts’ workforce as we tap into the next generation of talent.”

“It’s so valuable for students to be able to get hands-on work experience at no cost while they’re still in school,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Work-based learning helps them identify what they’re good at and what they want to pursue in the future, setting them up for successful careers while meeting the needs of our employers.”

As part of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative, DESE will support awarded districts in including the implementation of the My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) in their work-based learning plans. MyCAP is a student-centered, multi-year planning tool designed to provide middle and high school students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal and career success in high school and beyond. This pilot also prioritizes the use of MEFA Pathway as a statewide portal for their work-based learning plans and aligns them with statewide efforts to integrate YouthWorks to expand student access to work-based learning opportunities.

“Expanding career-connected learning is essential to ensuring that every student sees a future for themself beyond graduation,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Through these investments, we’re helping districts develop strong systems to connect academic learning with meaningful work experiences — giving students the tools, opportunities and confidence they need to succeed.”

Grant recipients will work in close partnership with MassHire Workforce Boards and Commonwealth Corporation — key elements of the state’s workforce system — to develop planning models and resources that strengthen connections between education and workforce development.

“Incorporating work-based learning extends a student’s exposure beyond the classroom to develop hands-on experience and skills for future careers in-demand by employers and industries statewide,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Our future innovation and communities will be driven by the next generation of skilled talent, and work-based learning models will open more opportunities for students to pursue pathways to careers right here in Massachusetts.”

“MEFA is proud to offer MEFA Pathway as the prioritized portal for this statewide initiative,” said Thomas Graf, executive director of MEFA. “MEFA Pathway’s alignment with MyCAP and integration of work-based learning plans reflects MEFA’s ongoing commitment to supporting students’ postsecondary readiness across Massachusetts.”

Grant Recipients:

Athol-Royalston School District – $25,000
Blackstone-Millville School District – $21,000
Bourne School District – $14,000
Brockton School District – $23,438
Codman Academy Charter (in Boston) – $24,800
Gateway Regional School District – $20,000
Holyoke School District – $24,976
Hudson School District – $16,000
Milford School District – $25,000
Quaboag Regional School District – $13,000
Tewksbury School District – $25,000
Wachusett Regional School District – $25,000
Westport School District – $18,500
Worcester School District – $5,345