The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Iniciativa Técnica de Carreira (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.

The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become “Career Technical Institutes” that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.

“Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration,” said Governor Maura Healey. “CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We’re proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state.”

“The CTI program uses our world class educational system to help individuals receive vital job training in critical industries and expand our skilled talent pool. These awards will specifically help our employers in the Berkshires who are looking for skilled talent,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Programs like this make Massachusetts competitive by creating the workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The CTI program is an initiative of the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet (WSC), chaired by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), in collaboration with the Executive Offices of Education, Economic Development, and Health and Human Services.

“The CTI grant program is one of the administration’s tools to close the skills gap by using our career and technical education schools as an opportunity to train and prepare jobseekers for current workforce demands,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with two programs in the Berkshires, fostering collaboration across academia and workforce training to help pave the way for jobseekers to gain meaningful skills and employment in the region.”

“With this $500,000 investment in career and technical education, we are expanding opportunities for adults to get hands-on, applied learning opportunities in trades, construction, and manufacturing, while also addressing an important workforce gap in the Berkshires” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am grateful to our career and technical education schools and employer partnerships who are supporting this work to expand access to career connected learning and strengthen our local economy and workforce.”

Since 2020, more than $45 million in funding has been awarded through CTI grants. The CTI Program is administered by Corporação da Commonwealth, a quasi-public state agency under EOLWD that administers its state funding in partnership with workforce organizations, academia, and industry. Each CTI proposal is required to include a minimum of three Massachusetts based employer partners that would potentially employ the target occupation and commit to interview and hire graduates. Today’s announced grantees represent an extension to the ninth set of programs funded by CTI and announced earlier this year.

“The addition of these two schools in the Berkshire region to the CTI program marks an exciting expansion of workforce development in Western Massachusetts,” said Molly Jacobson, President, and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation. “These awards will bring high-quality training opportunities to the area, strengthening the local talent pipeline in sectors crucial to the region’s economic growth and ensuring that Berkshire communities benefit from sustainable workforce development.”

The following is a list of the two grant recipients for Round 9.5 Implementation Grants, totaling $525,482 to train and hire 80 individuals:

Taconic High School, Pittsfield: $180,610

Taconic High School will provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad’s Auto Group, and RW’s Auto Inc.

McCann Technical School, North Adams: $344,871

McCann Technical School will provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.

Statements of Support 

Joseph Curtis, Superintendent, Taconic High School: “Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County. We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy.”

 

James J. Brosnan,  Superintendent, McCann Technical School: “We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician. This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires.”