Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2.1 Million to Expand Apprenticeship in Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2.1 Million to Expand Apprenticeship in Massachusetts

Grant funding will create over 300 apprentices and pre-apprentices for training and careers in health care, manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences and more

LOWELL – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $2.1 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) to 34 organizations to train and place more than 300 apprentices and pre-apprentices across the state. The grants, which include contract renewals and new awards, leverage nearly $2 million in state funding complemented by support from federal funds to train apprentices in high growth industries like health care, manufacturing, clean energy, and life sciences.

 

Registered Apprenticeship provides individuals with paid work experience including classroom instruction and on-the-job training combined with securing nationally recognized credentials, progressive wage increases, and economic mobility and advancement.

 

Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones made the announcement at Middlesex Community College in Lowell, Massachusetts. Among grantees, Middlesex Community College received $125,000 to launch a Surgical Technology registered apprenticeship program.

 

“The GROW grants are an effective way to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities that connect people to good jobs and help build a skilled workforce,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through these investments, our administration is helping more residents access pathways into growing industries while supporting employers who are ready to train and hire.”

 

“These GROW grants strengthen local and regional partnerships that help employers build a skilled workforce specific to their needs,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “By supporting registered apprenticeship programs in industries like health care, advanced manufacturing, early education, and IT, we’re creating more opportunities for Massachusetts residents to earn, learn, and advance their careers.”

 

The Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) administers the Commonwealth’s Registered Apprenticeship Programs. DAS serves more than 500 active programs with more than 10,000 active apprentices. Construction and building trades apprenticeships comprise the majority of programs with nearly a quarter of registered apprentices represented by expansion industries such as health care, education and manufacturing.

 

“Expanding and growing Registered Apprenticeship in the Massachusetts is an important part of our workforce agenda,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The GROW awards are part of the administration’s efforts to build workforce pipelines in our in-demand industries while increasing access and opportunity for our residents to pursue a career, gain industry-recognized credentials, and secure meaningful wages and benefits.”

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding apprenticeship. The administration’s FY26 budget delivered $2 million to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for the construction and building trades in Massachusetts and also expand registered apprenticeship to more industries. In addition, the Healey-Driscoll Administration enacted legislation to expand eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which offers employers a $4,800 credit for each apprentice hired.

 

“Interest in registered apprenticeship is growing fast and our GROW grants are helping employers meet this need,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler. “Whether it’s a career in the building trades, health care, IT, manufacturing, clean energy, or education, there’s a registered apprenticeship program for that. We look forward to working with all partners to support even more apprenticeship opportunities.”

 

“We are so excited to work with this group of thirty-four sponsors across the Commonwealth who see the immense potential of Registered Apprenticeship to support their workforce development needs,” said Director of the Division of Apprentice Standards Lara Thomas. “Apprenticeship changes lives, and we are honored to be able to provide this support and partner with these employers.”

 

GROW Grant Recipients:

 

The following is a list of the 34 grant recipients, totaling $2.1 million and resulting in 330 apprentices and pre-apprentices:

* indicates funds will be used to create a new apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program, not intended to deliver job training at this time.

Health and Human Services

*Action for Boston Community Development (Boston): $20,000 to develop a Registered Apprenticeship Program in health care and clean energy

Advocates for Human Potential (Sudbury): $217,233 grant to train and place 35 apprentices in licensed drug and alcohol counselor apprenticeships.

BAYADA (Foxborough and Auburndale): $130,000 to train and place 20 Registered Nurse Resident Apprentices

Bunker Hill Community College (Boston): $19,409 to develop a Registered EMT Pre-Apprenticeship Program

*ForHealth Consulting – UMass Chan (Worcester): $20,000 to establish Mass. Nursing Apprenticeship Network and develop practical and registered Nurse apprenticeships.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Improvement Board (New Bedford): $116,000 to train and place 16 apprentices in manufacturing and health care apprenticeships.

*Healthcare Career Advancement Program (HCAP): $20,000 to develop a licensed practical nurse apprenticeship with Mass Memorial Health and the SHARE Union.

*Hebrew Senior Life (Boston): $10,000 to develop a practical nurse apprenticeship program.

Mass. General Brigham (Somerville): $50,000 to reimagine approach to health care apprenticeships and use them to cut down on health care traveler staff.

Mass. Hire Hampden County Workforce Board (Springfield): $217,500 to train and place 30 Apprentices in health care, manufacturing and behavioral health.

Middlesex Community College (Lowell): $125,000 to launch a Surgical Technology apprenticeship

*New Hope Recovery Shelter (Worcester): $20,000 to develop a behavioral health and health care support apprenticeships.

Quinsigamond Community College (Worcester): $100,000 to train and place 35 Medical Assistant and IT Help Desk Support pre-apprentices.

*Writvate (Dedham): $10,000 to design and pilot accelerator program for entry into roles in regulatory medical writing.

SEIU Local 888 (Braintree): $113,750 to train and place 35 CNA Pre-Apprenticeships tethered to VETS.

Manufacturing

Bridgewater State University (Bridgewater): $28,752 to train and place 9 pre- apprentices in advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeships.

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Auburn): $77,953 to train and place 12 apprentices in manufacturing pre-apprenticeships.

Trades

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Boston): $182,000 to train and place 28 apprenticeships in construction management, building energy management, and automotive technology.

IBEW Local 103 (Dorchester): $81,250 to train and place 25 pre-apprentices in clean energy.

*Medford Wellington Service Co. Inc. (Bedford): $50,000 to develop Training Wheels: On the Go Apprenticeship Training and Outreach for HVAC/R Training

Minuteman Plumbing (South Weymouth): $13,000 to train and place two apprentices in plumbing apprenticeships

*Tremco Rising Stars (Boston): $40,000 to develop an Achieve Green program for Boston-area youth pathway into green construction roles and train 9 pre-apprentices

Various Industries

*Cape Cod Community College (Bridgewater): $20,000 technical assistance grant to develop a Maritime Technology apprenticeship.

*Eternal Light of Hope in Mankind (Adams): $20,000 to develop registered apprenticeships in workforce development.

*Franklin Hampshire Employment and Training Consortium (Greenfield): $19,500 to develop Outdoor Recreation apprenticeship and hire and train 6 apprentices

*Holyoke Community College (Holyoke): $20,000 to design one or more apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeships for solar, construction and electrical firms.

*Human Centered Agility (Roslindale): $10,000 to design pre-apprenticeship programs in education, behavioral health and public service.

Mass. Bankers Association (Boston): $222,500 to train and place 30 Credit Analyst apprenticeships.

Mass. Biotechnology Education Foundation (Boston): $188,500 to train and place 26 Life Sciences Apprenticeships.

Project Learn (Lowell): $15,000 to build renewable futures lab as high-quality summer program.

*Roxbury Community College (Roxbury): $20,000 to develop various career pathways in phlebotomy tech, medical billing and coding, pharm tech and energy auditing.

*United Way of Tri-County (Framingham): $10,000 to develop Food Salvage apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship.

*Urban College of Boston (Boston): $15,000 to develop apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships in a variety of sectors.

The Commonwealth continues to accept applications for apprenticeship program funding for Fiscal Year 2026. For more information, visit www.commbuys.com.