Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $6.8 Million to Train and Place Over 1,100 Workers in Industries Statewide

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $6.8 Million to Train and Place Over 1,100 Workers in Industries Statewide  

Workforce development funding will train, upskill, and hire untapped talent in health care, life sciences, technology, construction, and more   

 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $6.8 million in workforce development grant funding for 15 initiatives across Massachusetts, representing partnerships with employers, training providers, and regional collaborators to train, upskill, and provide job placement for 1,112 workers for in-demand occupations in health care, education, finance and more. 

The Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants are funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and administered by Commonwealth Corporation through the state’s Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Each awarded grant aims to close the skills gap, increase access to good-paying jobs for unemployed and underemployed residents, and strengthen productivity and workforce needs among employers in regions throughout Massachusetts. Workforce Success grants fund job training and job placement for untapped talent and also upskilling programs for incumbent workers. Among the 15 awarded grants, nine grants are also dedicating efforts to incorporate English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in planned job training—an effort to strengthen vocational language skills as a strategy to reduce employment barriers and expand access for workforce participation. 

“The Workforce Success Grants continue our commitment to supporting our workers and providing access to good-paying jobs and long-term career success,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By providing job training and upskilling for underemployed and unemployed jobseekers, we are helping unlock potential, strengthening competitiveness, and connecting our world class talent with innovative companies across the state.” 

 

“By making workforce development investments like the Workforce Success Grants, we are ensuring that the job training, skills, and certifications our jobseekers are receiving match with what our employers are looking for,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These collaborative partnerships allow us to further serve our residents, workers, and employers.” 

 

Secretary Lauren Jones of Labor and Workforce Development announced awarded grants at YMCA of Greater Boston, one of the 15 grantees. Since January 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with Commonwealth Corporation, has awarded $44 million in Donnelly Success Grants, projected to train over 8,500 unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. 

“Workforce Success Grants deliver meaningful career opportunities, driven by industry demands expressed by employers in regions across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary Lauren Jones of Labor and Workforce Development. “Each awarded grant delivers job training, developing a strong talent pipeline and closing the skills gaps especially for in-demand occupations among employers and industries experiencing workforce shortages.”  

“Investing in workforce training means investing in people, businesses, and the future of our economy,” said Tom Hooper, Vice President of Sector Pathways at Commonwealth Corporation. “These grants empower job seekers with the skills to thrive in high-demand careers while helping employers build a strong, skilled workforce. We applaud and thank these 15 grantees for their dedication to creating opportunities and strengthening communities across Massachusetts.”  

The following is a list of the 15 grant recipients receiving approximately $6.8 million to provide training and placement services to 1,112 individuals throughout the Commonwealth:  

Asian American Civic Association, Inc., Boston: $498,800 

Asian American Civic Association will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 58 unemployed or underemployed participants for Banker, Customer Service Representative, Teller, Relationship Banker, and Retail Banker positions. They will partner with Citizens Bank, M&T Bank, Rockland Trust, and Berkshire Bank.  

 

Asian Women for Health, Inc., Boston: $500,000 

Asian Women for Health will provide training and placement services to 84 unemployed or underemployed participants for Community Health Worker positions. They will partner with Boston Medical Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, and Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.  

 

Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc., Boston: $500,000 

Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 81 unemployed or underemployed participants for Certified Nurse's Assistant and Home Health Aide positions. They will partner with Mass General Brigham, Boston Children's Hospital, and Beth Israel Lahey Health. 

 

Friends of the Rafael Hernandez School, Inc., Roxbury: $292,000 

Friends of the Rafael Hernandez School, Inc. will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 38 unemployed or underemployed participants for Paraprofessional and Preschool Teacher positions. They will partner with Boston Public Schools, Pine Village Preschool Spanish Immersion Preschools, and Action for Boston Community Development Headstart and Children's Services. 

 

Greenfield Community College, Greenfield: $417,997 

Greenfield Community College will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 48 unemployed or underemployed participants for Early Childhood Educator positions. They will partner with JaDuke Preschool and Early Education Center, The Early Learning Center at Hampshire College, The Learning Knoll, Williston Northampton Children's Center, and Y Academy at the Bolger Center for Early Childhood Education. 

 

Health & Home Care Training of New England, Brockton: $499,768 

Health & Home Care Training of New England will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants for Certified Nurse's Assistant and Home Health Aide positions. They will partner with St. Joseph's Manor, Kimwell Nursing & Rehabilitation, and Alliance Health at West Acres.  

 

Holyoke Community College, Holyoke: $500,000 

Holyoke Community College will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants and incumbent workers for Medical Assistant positions. They will partner with Baystate Medical Center and Valley Health Systems/Holyoke Medical Center. 

 

Jewish Vocational Service, Inc., Boston: $500,000 

Jewish Vocational Service will provide training and placement services to 67 unemployed and underemployed participants for Pharmacy Technician positions. They will partner with Mass General Brigham, CVS Health, and Beth Israel Lahey Health. 

 

Lawrence CommunityWorks, Lawrence: $491,561 

Lawrence CommunityWorks will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 80 unemployed and underemployed participants for Education Paraprofessional positions. They will partner with Lawrence Public Schools and The Community Group. 

 

MassHire North Central Workforce Board, Inc., Leominster: $247,818 

MassHire North Central Workforce Board will provide training and placement services to 40 unemployed and underemployed participants for Certified Sterile Processing Technician positions. They will partner with Heywood Healthcare, St. Vincent Hospital, UMass Memorial, and Worcester Surgical Center. 

 

Notre Dame Education Center – Lawrence, Inc., Lawrence: $482,430 

Notre Dame Education Center will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 180 unemployed and underemployed participants for Certified Nurse's Assistant and Home Health Aide positions. They will partner with Lawrence General Hospital and Mary Immaculate/Health Care Services. 

 

Per Scholas, Inc., Cambridge: $500,000 

Per Scholas, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 100 unemployed and underemployed participants for Help Desk, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Salesforce Administrator positions. They will partner with Trillium Technical, Robert Half, Granite Telecommunications, and TEKsystems. 

 

Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester: $499,610 

Quinsigamond Community College will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants for Certified Nurse's Assistant positions. They will partner with Salmon Health & Retirement, Christopher House, Overlook Masonic Health Center, and Life Care Centers of America. 

 

Walker, Inc., Needham: $500,000 

Walker, Inc. will provide training and placement services to 60 unemployed and underemployed participants for Direct Care Worker and Social and Human Service Assistant positions. They will partner with The COMPASS School and Samaritans Inc. 

 

YMCA of Greater Boston, Inc., Boston: $415,542 

YMCA of Greater Boston will provide training and placement services, including ESOL training, to 96 unemployed and underemployed participants for Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant positions. They will partner with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Lahey Health, Boston Children's Hospital, and Boston Medical Center.