Grants will bolster Boston jobs

Posted on March 24, 2017

A slew of grants will go towards expanding career programs for Boston jobs.

The governor’s office has awarded $11.8 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 32 vocational schools, community colleges, and traditional public high schools, which will use the funds to purchase vocational technical equipment and expand skills training programs for careers in growing industries. Twenty institutions are first-time recipients of the Workforce Skills Capital Grants.

“These investments have a major impact for the educational institutions training our workforce and the students who stand to benefit from enhanced skills and career paths,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Strengthening relationships between educational institutions and local industry as this program seeks to do is crucial to the success of our communities and Commonwealth as a whole.”

The Workforce Skills Capital Grants program was created by the Baker-Polito Administration last year to assist educational institutions in demonstrating partnerships with industry and aligning curriculum and credentials with local businesses’ demand, maximizing planning objectives and hiring or internship opportunities regionally.

“We are pleased these investments are already benefitting students and adult learners across our Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The training students receive on the most up-to-date equipment purchased with these grants makes all the difference to them when they go into the workplace.”

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $24 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 63 different institutions, improving programs that impact more than 7,100 students per year. The economic development bill signed by Governor Baker last year includes $45 million for the awards over the next three years to increase the capacity and quality of vocational educational programs.

Governor Baker visited Greater Lowell Technical High School to announce the latest round of grant awardees. Greater Lowell Technical received $466,000 to create an Agile Digital Fabrication/Maker Space where high school and adult education students will engage in technological experimentation, hardware development, and idea prototyping.