Eldridge Highlights Investments in Vocational Schools by Baker-Polito Administration
Acton, MA - Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) is proud to announce that the Baker Polito adminstration’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has awarded Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School and Nashoba Valley Technical High School a Career Technical Initiative (CTI) grant, totaling $335,000. Each of these vocational schools serves students and workers in communities across Senator Eldridge’s Middlesex and Worcester district.
CTI aims to provide more Massachusetts residents access to career technical training using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the population of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs. The plan takes a multi-pronged approach to increase student enrollment and includes new state funding to help adults pay for classes.
Senator Eldridge continues to champion free public higher education in Massachusetts, including vocational schools, sponsoring An Act to Guarantee Debt-Free Public Higher Education. If passed, this bill would create a state grant program tasked with covering tuition and mandatory fees for all students admitted or enrolled in a Massachusetts public college or university, or at a certificate, vocational, or training program at a public institution.
“I’m grateful to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for continuing to champion and invest in vocational schools across Massachusetts,” said Senator Eldridge. “I’m continually impressed with the skilled education that both students and older workers get at vocational schools. The schools play a key role in filling the jobs in industries such as healthcare, biomanufacturing, making medical devices, biotech, and skilled tools production. Imagine a Commonwealth where there are no financial barriers to any Massachusetts resident from attending a vocational school.”
$110,000 for Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District: These grant funds will be used to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Carpenter, CNC Machine Operator positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Metro Boston, Metro South/West, Metro North and North Central Career Centers and the following employer partners: Tecomet, Feinmann, North River Builders, Nova Biomedical, Rolls Royce.
$125,000 for Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School: These grant funds will be used to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Plumber, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire North Central Career Center, MassHire North Central Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Fitchburg Welding Company, Tim’s Fabricators, Airgas, Brideau, Huhtala Oil Company, Spadafore Oil & Energy.
$100,000 for the Nashoba Valley Technical High School: These funds will be used to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Automotive Services Technician, Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Greater Lowell and North Central Career Centers and Workforce Boards and the following employer partners: Triangle Service Center, Acton Toyota of Littleton, Atamian Honda, Stansfield Tire Center, Viega LLC, J. Ellis Plumbing & Heating, Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating.
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