Career Minded
Last week, the Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $24.2 million in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants to 23 school districts to train 2,490 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors across Massachusetts.
The CTI grant program 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.
Since 2023, the administration, in partnership with Commonwealth Corp., has awarded $53 million in CTI grants, projected to train more than 6,090 unemployed and underemployed individuals. Last week’s announcement launches the 10th cohort of CTI grants. Among nine awarded cohorts to date, roughly 4,400 total participants have received training, 3,150 participants have completed training, 3,100 have earned industry-recognized credentials, and 2,360 have secured employment.
“The CTI program opens doors for adult learners by providing the hands-on training they need to step into high-demand careers in construction, the trades, and manufacturing,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “With some of the best public career technical education schools in the country and strong employer partnerships, Massachusetts is positioned to prepare our residents for rewarding, lifelong careers.”
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll added that “these awards are a key part of our agenda to build a job-ready workforce for today and the future. By tapping into our world-class education system and investing in targeted job training, we’re growing the talent pipeline that employers across Massachusetts depend on to compete and thrive.”
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) oversees the CTI program, which is administered by Commonwealth Corp., a quasi-public agency of EOLWD. In partnership with the Executive Office of Education, CTI aims to transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become ‘career technical institutes’ that run three shifts a day for skill-building programs in the trades, construction, and manufacturing career pathways. The latest $24.2 million awarded focuses on job training for adult learners participating in the evening hours, or third shift.
Lauren Jones
“By leveraging available resources at career and technical education schools across Massachusetts, we are opening more opportunities to help train and prepare untapped talent for current workforce demands.”
“By leveraging available resources at career and technical education schools across Massachusetts, we are opening more opportunities to help train and prepare untapped talent for current workforce demands,” Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones said. “This program is a great example of the collaborative efforts needed to build our workforce. We appreciate the partnership with career and technical education schools, MassHire Regional Workforce Boards and career centers, businesses, and labor for paving the way for more job seekers to gain meaningful skills and employment in Massachusetts.”
Three of the awards involve schools in Western Mass.:
• Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls will receive $2,219,375 to provide training to 216 participants for auto tech, building maintenance, carpentry, electrical, horticulture, plumbing, and welding positions.
The school will partner with Ames Electrical Consulting, National Grid, Crocker Electrical Services, Indie Automotive, Harrison Diesel Solutions, Cherry Rum Automotive, Built for the East Offroad, Grass Roots Landscaping LLC, Pioneer Gardens Inc., Snow & Sons Landscaping, Sugarloaf Gardens, Champion Tree and Lawn Care, Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Doyle Properties, Ironworkers Local 7, Winchester Precision Technologies, SMART Local #63 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center, Sheet Metal Workers Local 63, Sandri Energy, Mike Woodard Plumbing, Carpenters Local 336 North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Mowry & Schmidt Inc., Fine Line Builders, Neal Leno Carpentry, Ron Grogan Homebuilder, and Salmon Falls Builders.
• Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer will receive $730,000 to provide training to 72 participants for CNC Machine operator, electrician, and plumbing positions. It will partner with Viant, Sanderson MacLeod, Knight Machine, B&R Machine, IMI Adaptas, Noonan Energy, NBE, KACO, PVE, EWS, and Aquarius.
• Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton will receive $479,998 to provide training to 60 participants for culinary arts positions. It will partner with Snapchef, Tosca, Smith College Dining Services, Atkins Farms, River Valley Co-Op, Pete’s Sweets, Ana Bandeira Chocolates, and Hungry Ghost Bread.
“With this investment in career technical education, we are creating more pathways for adult learners to gain the skills and experience needed to enter high-demand industries like the trades, construction, and manufacturing,” Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said. “I’m grateful to our schools and employer partners whose collaboration is helping to expand access to career-connected learning and grow our state’s workforce.”
Added Tom Hooper, vice president of Sector Strategies at Commonwealth Corp., “vocational schools across Massachusetts continue to be the backbone of the Career Technical Initiative, delivering hands-on, high-quality training in critical industries like construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades. Their leadership and commitment are essential to building the talent pipelines our workforce needs to thrive.”
