Governor Healey Announces $70 Million to Expand Career Technical Education at 28 Schools, Add 2,500 Seats
Funding will create up to 2,500 new career tech seats, launch new programs, and allow schools to buy and install training equipment
MARLBOROUGH — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today it has awarded more than $70 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants to 28 high schools and career technical schools across Massachusetts. This multi-year investment will significantly expand access to hands-on learning opportunities and help meet the growing demand for career-connected education statewide.
The funding will create up to 2,500 new CTE seats by expanding 23 career tech programs, launching 27 new CTE programs and upgrading equipment, technology and lab spaces across participating schools.
Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Steve Zrike and Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez made the announcement today at Assabet Valley Vocational High School in Marlborough, which is receiving $3.75 million to develop two new CTE programs: public safety and veterinary science. The public safety program will prepare students for essential roles in community protection and emergency response, including through access to a mock dispatch center and forensics lab, partnerships with municipal fire and EMS departments for internships and work-based learning, and articulation with community colleges leading to public safety degrees and certifications. The veterinary science program will prepare students for entry-level roles in animal care and veterinary services, including through access to examination tables and grooming tools and certifications for Veterinary CPR and Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).
“Across Massachusetts, we’re hearing from students and families who want access to career technical education. That’s why we’re making a $70 million investment to expand programs, create new seats and modernize training facilities so more students can get the skills they need and step into strong, in-demand careers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This investment will expand capacity, create new opportunities and ensure more students can gain the skills they need to succeed, while strengthening our workforce and supporting employers across the state.”
“These investments will help connect more students to the skills and training that employers across Massachusetts are looking for right now,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By expanding access to career technical education, we’re strengthening our workforce pipeline and creating more opportunities for students to step directly into in-demand careers.”
This investment builds on the Administration’s broader efforts to expand access to career-connected learning and strengthen Massachusetts’ workforce pipeline. Last month, the administration announced it was accepting applications for $15 million in capital grants to help school districts to expand and modernize career technical education (CTE) programs at comprehensive high schools. These CTE Capital Annex Pilot grants will add an estimated 400-600 additional CTE seats across Massachusetts.
“This investment is about meeting students where they are and preparing them for where the economy is going,” said Secretary Zrike. “By making this investment, we’re creating more seats, modernizing equipment and facilities, and ensuring more students can access high-quality, career-connected learning.”
“Career technical education is a valuable resource in building Massachusetts’ talent, opening more opportunities for students and adult learners,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “These grants, in tandem with the Workforce Skills Cabinet’s Career Technical Initiative, will enhance equipment within our schools and, in turn, increase hands-on learning and programming to pave the way for future workers and current jobseekers ready to gain meaningful skills and employment in Massachusetts.”
As part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, CTE programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that enable them to see and understand cleared pathways to careers and continued education.
"These investments highlight this administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for career technical education across school settings,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “CTE programs are a great opportunity for students to earn industry-recognized credentials before they've even graduated from high school."
CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at dedicated CTE schools and at some traditional high schools. Further, CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark,” expand access by offering CTE programs outside of the traditional school day. CTE programs also support adult learners, particularly unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative (CTI).
“CTE expansion is about access and opportunity for our students and our community. By strengthening CTE pathways, we are not only preparing high school students for in-demand careers but also creating accessible, flexible opportunities for adult learners to reskill, upskill, and advance in today’s workforce,” said Christine D. Jardin-Gauthier, Director of Assebet Community Education. “It's been exciting to elevate the importance of this work, and even more meaningful to do so with the support of Governor Healey, whose commitment to workforce development and CTE education is making this expansion possible.”
Over the past three years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. Also, Governor Healey’s BRIGHT Act includes $100 million for Skills Capital grants that help high schools, colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs. These efforts build on expansions the administration has made to Early College programs, Innovation Career Pathways, work-based learning opportunities and My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP).
Capital Grant recipients:
Assabet Valley Vocational High School in Marlborough: $3,750,000
Boston Madison Park Technical Vocational High School: $924,515
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Vocational Technical in Taunton: $1,500,000
Chicopee Comprehensive High School in Chicopee: $3,500,000
Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in North Dighton: $1,500,000
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical in Tyngsborough: $2,500,000
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical: $3,750,000
Holyoke Dean Tech High School: $1,250,000
Leicester High School: $3,000,000
Leominster Center of Tech Education: $1,027,700
Lower Pioneer Valley CTEC in West Springfield: $3,750,000
Lynn Vocational Technical High: $2,000,000
Martha's Vineyard Regional High: $2,000,000
Medford High School: $1,750,000
Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford: $3,250,000
New Bedford High School: $1,750,000
Newton South High School: $1,415,833
Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole: $3,500,000
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical in Wakefield: $3,750,000
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical in Rochester: $2,000,000
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical in Palmer: $3,500,000
Taconic High School in Pittsfield: $4,000,000
Salem High School: $3,750,000
South Shore Regional Vocational Technical in Hanover: $2,250,000
Taunton High School: $1,100,000
Tri-County Regional Vocational in Franklin: $2,000,000
Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical in Bourne: $2,000,000
Worcester Technical High: $3,750,000
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