WORCESTER – Worcester Technical High School, North High School and the Worcester Public Schools system were awarded grants on Friday from the Baker-Polito administration for career technical programs and to expand training opportunities for young people and adults.
The grants awarded to WPS and Worcester Tech are part of a total of $32 million in grants awarded through the administration’s multi-year effort to address skills gaps so more residents can pursue careers in growing industries and employers can hire qualified workers to grow their businesses.
“Since our administration launched these critically important programs, high schools, colleges and other educational institutions throughout the Commonwealth have created and expanded numerous training programs with Skills Capital Grants and developed new training opportunities for young people and adults with the Career Technical Initiative,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We are very proud of the lasting impact these grants will have on the Massachusetts workforce and the future of the Commonwealth as they prepare the next generation of innovative leaders in cutting-edge industries.”
Baker announced $22 million in Skills Capital grants awarded to 70 educational institutions, and an additional $10 million awarded to 23 vocational schools to expand programs for both young people and adults as part of the Career Technical Initiative (CTI). This round of CTI grants will help train more than 1,600 people for new careers in construction, manufacturing and other trades with growing workforce demands.
“Skills Capital grants and the Career Technical Initiative have enabled more young people and adults to pursue rewarding careers they may not have had opportunities to pursue and have helped break down barriers to entry and success,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Importantly, these significant investments have changed the career trajectory for many adults seeking employment or credentials by providing training and skills in industries that may not have existed when they were in school.”
Here’s where the grant money is going in Worcester:
Worcester Technical High School is awarded a $311,000 Skills Capital grant to expand the school’s automotive technology program. The program will provide instruction on repair passive restraints, multiple air bags, lane departures warning, and collision avoidance systems. The students will receive wrap-around support services as needed, including tutoring before and after-school. Industry partners will collaborate to ensure that the career pathways and related curricula integrate academics and workplace needs to address realistic, real-world scenarios.
North High School is awarded a $237,021 Skills Capital grant for Allied Health: North High School will address the growing need in EMS by expanding to include a pathway towards EMT certification. The high school will purchase an ambulance simulator, emergency room life support equipment, bed packages, and other items to provide students with real-life experiences and hands-on practice to solidify their skills required for certification.
Worcester Public Schools is awarded a $75,000 Skills Capital grant towards its Innovation Pathways Information Technology: The information technology program is a uniquely designed program that allows students from the comprehensive high schools in Worcester to
participate in career exploration and training at Worcester Technical High School on extended days. In this path, students learn aspects of networking, programming, website development and cybersecurity.
Worcester Public Schools is awarded a $270,000 CTI grant to provide training to 37 participants in the following pathway: Carpentry, Diesel Technician. Employer partners include A. Duie Pyle; Tefft Bazin; Advantage Truck Group, and The Carpenters Union – North Atlantic States Carpenter Training.
Quinsigamond Community College is awarded a $499,815 Skills Capital grant towards updating equipment in three nursing labs at its downtown Worcester campus, which is home to the QCC School of Healthcare. The three labs – the nurse education lab, simulation lab, and practical nursing lab – are used exclusively for students in the ADN and PN programs to prepare them for nursing careers. Students will learn to use new high-fidelity manikins, vital sign simulation manikins, torsos with audible lung and heart sounds, as well as support important skill demonstrations such as G-tubes and tracheotomies.
Lead image: North High School/Patrick Sargent for ThisWeekinWorcester.com
