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Six Worcester County Schools Win Grants for Career Training

By Tom Marino | December 10, 2020
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

Governor Charlie Baker’s office announced $11.7 million Skills Capital Grants to 47 educational institutions in Massachusetts on Thursday, December 10.

The grants are to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education.

Some $92 million to 300 different programs have been awarded in Skills Capital Grants and the 2018 Economic Development Bill established an additional $75 million in funding. Awards are made by Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which work’s to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers across Massachusetts.

Twelve awardees are receiving grants for the first time. The program awarded one institution, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School in Danvers, a multi-year award for $1.25 million.

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough also received $358,741 for its Healthcare Technicians program.

The awardees in Worcester County are:

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg – $323,160
Culinary Arts

The high school will replace food service equipment that was installed when the school opened more than 50 years ago, including kettles, fryers, griddles, ovens, and steamers. The kitchens will be substantially more efficient, allowing educators to revise curriculum to reflect more efficient service and preparation outcomes. In addition, the school will update the greenhouse, allowing the culinary arts program to include farm-to-table lessons and strong ties between agriculture and cuisine.

Central MA Center for Business & Enterprise, Whitinsville – $253,500
Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing

The Blackstone Valley Education Hub will collaborate with education partners in the region to support middle school, high school and college students with training to meet the industry demands of advanced manufacturers in the area.

Massachusetts Department of Correction Education Division, Milford – $125,000
Culinary Arts and Industry Certification

Students are provided opportunities to work as employees in a restaurant setting, learning cooking skills, kitchen safety, communication skills within the workplace, presentation, dependability and teamwork. The grant will purchase learning tables to provide students with access to self-paced instruction in foundation skills, as well as upgrade hands-on training in the kitchen.

Dudley Charlton School District: Shepherd Hill Regional High Dudley- $100,000
Innovations Pathway in Manufacturing and Environmental and Life Sciences

Students at Shepherd Hill Regional High School enrolled in Innovation Pathways in manufacturing and environmental life sciences will have access to industry-standard equipment in order to obtain certifications and credentials in these industry sectors. The school has partnered with UMass Medical, Harrington Hospital, and Quinsigamond Community College, as well as the Central Region Workforce Board, Blackstone Valley Educational Foundation, Project Lead the Way, Mass STEM Hub and AET Labs.

Gardner Public Schools, Gardner – $100,000
Manufacturing Innovation Pathway

The school district will purchase a 3D printer, Concept Mill, laser engraver, and robotic trainer to support high school students in the manufacturing Innovation Pathway, which operates in collaboration with the Central Workforce Board and local employers form the North Central region.

Uxbridge High School, Uxbridge – $75,000
Innovation Pathways in Manufacturing, Information, and Environmental and Life Science

Uxbridge High School will purchase workstations, hands-on instructional kits, projectors, and 3D printers, that will support the school’s Innovation Pathways in Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Environmental and Life Science. Equipment will also support residents in Southern Worcester County through partnerships with other area high schools, including Blackstone-Millville, Sutton, Hopedale, and Northbridge.

Image Credit: John Phelan, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg MA, CC BY-SA 4.0

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