As the Healey-Driscoll Administration hits the five-year milestone of the Career Technical Initiative (CTI), Massachusetts celebrates a hefty investment into its workforce. Nearly $70 million has been poured into vocational education, aimed at bolstering the state’s skilled trades workforce. According to an article released by the Massachusetts government, this has involved partnerships with 34 vocational technical schools and has reached over 4,600 unemployed and underemployed adult participants.

The CTI’s goal to rapidly scale up has clearly shown results, expanding from an initial 10 to 34 vocational technical schools. This growth not only attests to a high demand but also stands as validation of the program’s success. “Programs like the Career Technical Initiative create real opportunities for adult learners by pairing practical, hands-on learning with skills employers are looking for in today’s economy,” Governor Healey pointed out in a statement obtained by the Massachusetts government publication. With an impressive 85% completion rate and a guarantee that 100% of completers earn an industry-recognized credential, the CTI seemingly has found a pathway to ensure career readiness amongst its participants.

Focused on sectors such as construction, trades, and manufacturing, CTI with its near $70 million investment has stood as a bridge between eager adult learners and the industries that need them. This long-term commitment is further evidenced by the $53 million in CTI Grants awarded since 2023, set to train in excess of 6,090 unemployed and underemployed individuals.

During a visit to the Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS), Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones lauded the program’s strategic approach in preparing untapped talent, saying, “This program has been an impactful tool to build our workforce and a great example of leveraging existing resources through our vocational technical schools to increase access and opportunities as we strengthen our skilled workforce,” as reported by the Massachusetts government. The school, an initial CTI grantee, has served to notably demonstrate how education can align to successfully meet the demands of industry and community. This approach has apparently helped to greatly to enhance economic value for the Commonwealth, as Commonwealth Corporation’s President and CEO Molly Jacobson noted, with $2.18 in return for every dollar invested.