（Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）在這星期的「STEM週」期間宣佈，州政府將透過最新的「職業技術教育附屬計畫」，撥款1450萬美元，資助州內6所高中擴建職業與技術教育（CTE）設施，預計每年將為約500名學生提供優質的實務培訓機會。
這筆資金來自麻州「公平分擔附加稅」（Fair Share surtax），旨在協助普通高中克服名額與設備不足的困境。
獲補助的6所學校將利用這筆經費興建或升級實習空間，並開辦包括醫療照護、資訊科技、先進製造、建築營造及餐飲廚藝等熱門領域課程。
費奇堡高中（Fitchburg High School）： 獲補助350萬美元，將打造占地70坪的「MVP咖啡廳」與商業教學廚房，提供42個餐飲藝術名額，並支援成人夜間職訓。
黑沃爾高中（Haverhill High School）： 獲補助321萬美元，將擴建醫療協助與資訊網路設施，新增140個名額。
紐伯里波特高中（Newburyport High School）： 獲補助310萬美元，用於擴建先進製造與醫療協助訓練設施及專業設備。
沃特敦高中（Watertown High School）： 獲補助300萬美元，新增木工與電機領域課程與訓練環境。
埃弗里特高中（Everett High School）： 獲補助101.4萬美元，將現代化並擴建醫療助理與程式設計課程，新增約95個名額。
北米德爾塞克斯區域高中（North Middlesex Regional High School）： 獲補助67.5萬美元，開辦公共安全與建築工藝課程。
奚莉州長指出，麻州許多學生渴望學習一技之長，此項投資能為年輕人打開通往高薪職涯的大門，同時為在地產業挹注所需人才。各項擴建計畫預計於2028年6月前陸續完工。
Governor Healey Announces $14.5 Million to Expand Career and Technical Education at Six Schools
Announced during STEM Week, new grants will expand hands-on training opportunities for approximately 500 additional students each year
FITCHBURG — Governor Maura Healey today announced $14.5 million in new grants to expand career and technical education (CTE) programs at six high schools across Massachusetts, creating opportunities for approximately 500 additional students each year to gain hands-on training and prepare for good-paying jobs. The funding, awarded through the new Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program, will help schools build and expand training facilities and offer more programs in high-demand fields including health care, information technology, manufacturing and the skilled trades.
The new grants build on Governor Healey’s efforts to increase access to career and technical education and address growing demand from students and families. The funding will help comprehensive high schools add CTE programs, increase enrollment capacity and partner with vocational schools, employers and colleges to provide students with career-connected learning opportunities, particularly in communities where access has been limited.
“Students across Massachusetts want more opportunities to learn a trade, gain hands-on experience and prepare for good-paying jobs, and we are delivering,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We've made major investments to expand career and technical education, and these new grants will create more seats and bring training programs to more high schools. We're opening doors for students to pursue careers they're excited about while building the skilled workforce Massachusetts needs.”
“Career and technical education gives students real-world experience and a chance to discover what they're passionate about,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments are bringing schools, employers and communities together to create more opportunities for young people to explore careers, learn valuable skills and build successful futures right here in Massachusetts.”
The announcement was made at the Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Center in Fitchburg, highlighting how partnerships between comprehensive high schools and CTE schools can expand access to career training. Fitchburg Public Schools is receiving $3.5 million to establish a new Culinary Arts program through the MVP Academy, a partnership with Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech) and neighboring school districts. The funding will support construction of a new 2,500-square-foot MVP Café, featuring a commercial teaching kitchen and student-operated restaurant, creating 42 CTE seats annually while also supporting evening and weekend workforce training opportunities for adults.
"Too many students who want to pursue career and technical education have been unable to access these opportunities because programs are full or unavailable in their communities," said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. "These grants will help us change that by creating more seats, modernizing learning spaces and supporting partnerships that bring hands-on STEM learning and career training to more students. The collaboration between Fitchburg Public Schools and Monty Tech is a great example of how schools can work together to expand access and create new pathways to college and careers."
The investment builds on Governor Healey's efforts to expand access to career and technical education and create more pathways for students to college and careers. The administration previously announced $70 million to expand career and technical education at 28 schools across Massachusetts, creating up to 2,500 additional seats for students. Together with the new CTE Annex Pilot Program grants, these investments are helping schools increase training capacity, modernize facilities and expand access to hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.
“As we celebrate STEM Week and lift up careers in STEM-related fields, we’re excited to be able to offer more students access to career and technical education programs,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “CTE programs, whether in CTE schools or more traditional high schools, are great preparation for in-demand fields such as manufacturing, health care and information technology.”
"This grant is an incredible investment in our students and the future of vocational education in North Central Massachusetts. When we created MVP Academy, our goal was simple: to provide more students with opportunities to explore careers and develop skills that will prepare them for life after high school,” said Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Jon Thompson. “The addition of a Culinary Arts program is another exciting step forward in that mission. I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished through our partnership with Monty Tech, Gardner, and Narragansett, and grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the importance of expanding these opportunities. This investment will open new doors for our students and help meet the growing workforce needs of our region."
“Today was a wonderful display of partnerships that work from schools across the Commonwealth. While we are certainly excited to have an opportunity to expand the MVP Academy to include a Culinary Arts training program, we are delighted to see other schools across the Commonwealth working to develop similar models of their own. From what we have seen, this is the most cost effective way to expand access to vocational training, while remaining true to the rigorous, comprehensive model of vocational education that Massachusetts is known for,” said Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Superintendent-Director Tom Browne. “Watching Secretary Zrike engage with MVP students reminds us why we do this work, and how these students are engaging with learning on a new level. Discussing their projects, showing such great pride in their work - that is what it is all about. We are grateful for the continued investment in MVP Academy and students across North Central MA.”
Grant recipients include:
- Everett High School — $1,014,000: To modernize and expand its Medical Assisting and Programming and Web Development programs through renovated instructional spaces, a new clinical simulation laboratory and upgraded technology. The improvements will create approximately 95 additional seats, increasing capacity from 105 to 200 students and expanding opportunities for hands-on training and industry credentials.
- Fitchburg High School — $3,500,000: To establish a new Culinary Arts program through the Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Academy, including construction of a 2,500-square-foot MVP Café with a commercial teaching kitchen and student-operated restaurant. Developed in partnership with Monty Tech and neighboring school districts, the program will provide 42 vocational seats annually and support evening and weekend workforce training for adults.
- Haverhill High School — $3,210,056: To expand Health Assisting and Information Support Services and Networking programs through approximately 3,828 square feet of new instructional space, including a health care simulation center and technology innovation laboratory. The expansion will create approximately 140 additional vocational seats and support a satellite technology repair program where students gain experience maintaining municipal technology.
- Newburyport High School — $3,101,500: To expand Advanced Manufacturing and Health Assisting programs through specialized training facilities, including a health care laboratory and advanced manufacturing equipment for CNC machining, 3D printing and fabrication. The investment will expand access to hands-on learning and industry-recognized credentials, preparing students for careers in health care, engineering and advanced manufacturing.
- North Middlesex Regional High School — $675,000: To establish new Public Safety and Construction Craft Laborer programs, providing hands-on training in emergency response, firefighting, law enforcement and the building trades. The programs will strengthen partnerships with employers and labor organizations and prepare students for apprenticeships, further training and careers in high-demand fields.
- Watertown High School — $3,000,000: To establish new Carpentry and Electrical programs through specialized instructional facilities and hands-on training environments. The programs will expand access to skilled trades education and prepare students for apprenticeships and careers in construction, electrical services and related industries.
The CTE Annex Pilot Program is funded through the Fair Share surtax and supports capital improvements, facility expansions, long-term leasing of additional space and other investments needed to increase access to career and technical education. Projects are expected to be completed by June 2028.
The announcement is part of Massachusetts STEM Week, taking place October 19–23, with this year's theme, "STEM Starts Now." The statewide celebration brings together schools, colleges, employers and community organizations to highlight STEM education and career opportunities for learners of all ages.
The administration is also marking the second day of STEM Week with events highlighting hands-on science education and workforce development opportunities. Following the announcement in Fitchburg, Education Secretary Zrike visited Sky View Middle School in Leominster, an early adopter of OpenSciEd, to observe students participating in the curriculum. OpenSciEd is a research-based, open-source science curriculum that engages students in hands-on investigations, scientific inquiry and real-world problem-solving. Later in the day, administration officials also visited Middlesex Community College to highlight expanded Pathmaker workforce training opportunities in industries including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defense, climatetech and life sciences.
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