Patrick Administration Announces $8.2M in Grants to Massachusetts Companies for Employee Training

Patrick Administration Announces $8.2M in Grants to Massachusetts Companies for Employee Training

Latest round of workforce training grants includes new pilot program for small businesses

Watertown – Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Continuing the Patrick Administration’s strategic investments in workforce training, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian today announced $8.2 million in Workforce Training Fund grants during a visit to United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), a grant recipient.  The grants, awarded through Commonwealth Corporation, will enable 72 companies across the state to provide customized training for 5,196 employees and create 568 new jobs over the next three years. Two million in grants will support a new pilot program to expand regional training capacity to meet the needs of small businesses.

“The Workforce Training Fund is one of our most effective initiatives for supporting businesses in meeting the demands of a highly competitive regional and global economy,” said Secretary Kaprielian.  “We have seen many companies succeed thanks to retraining their workers and we look forward to more companies, especially smaller firms, growing and excelling by investing in the Massachusetts workforce.”

This latest round of Workforce Training Fund grants builds on the Patrick Administration’s record of investment in workforce training and education.  Since 2007, the Administration has awarded $90.5 million through this grant program to 1,167 projects involving more than 1,300 businesses and 108,780 workers.

UPS, the package delivery company that provides specialized transportation and logistics services, hosted the announcement at its Watertown distribution center.  UPS will use a $200,000 grant to train 600 Massachusetts-based employees and create 50 new jobs.  The grant will help UPS implement software designed to help drivers optimize delivery routes and the placement of packages within delivery vehicles to maximize delivery efficiency. UPS plans to invest more than $1.2 million in matching funds over the two year grant.  Training will take place at UPS facilities throughout the Commonwealth.  

According to UPS Northeast District Manager, Ivy Brown “UPS understands that investing in a top-notch workforce is necessary to compete and grow in a very competitive market.  The support of the Workforce Training Fund is an invaluable resource toward keeping and growing jobs here in Massachusetts.” 

The Secretary also announced a $2 million pilot program funded by the Workforce Training Fund Program targeted for small businesses to provide their employees with training in areas such as Process Improvement, Supervisory/Leadership, ESOL, Manufacturing Skills, and Computer Skills.  Commonwealth Corporation is piloting an approach that streamlines application requirements and gives businesses access to training resources on an as-needed basis.  Eleven training organizations will offer programs through this pilot; in total they anticipate offering more than 2,500 slots in their programs to Massachusetts businesses.

"We are very interested in helping small businesses access the fund either individually or through collaborations with other businesses with similar needs.” said Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation, which administers the funds for the Office of Labor and Workforce Development.  “This program allows small businesses that may not otherwise apply for a grant on their own to quickly gain access to training on topics in highest demand.” 

"I'm very pleased to see the Patrick Administration investing heavily in Workforce Training – it is part of the administration's continuing focus on education," said Senator Will Brownsberger, (D-Belmont).

The Workforce Training Fund provides direct grants of up to $250,000 to Massachusetts companies to use over a two year period.  The following is a complete list of the awarded Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Recipients announced today (listed by community), totaling $ 6,229,732 and the training organizations taking part in the $2,000,000 pilot program:

City	Company Name	Amount Awarded	Projected Number of Employees to be Trained	New Jobs Expected to be Created
ACTON	HAARTZ	$114,367	122	28
ACTON	OYO SPORTS TOYS	$63,840	73	12
ATTLEBORO	SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	$221,000	328	33
BEVERLY	MASSPAY INC.	$44,020	17	8
BILLERICA	MACCORMACK PLUMBING, INC.	$139,328	180	10
BOSTON	BOSTON CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, INC.	$38,244	48	2
BOSTON	OOMPH, INC.	$39,808	25	3
BOSTON	GOURMET CATERERS, INC.	$32,280	15	25
BOURNE	CONVENTION DATA SERVICES INC.	$244,038	129	13
BRAINTREE	FIRE KING BAKING CO., INC.	$88,000	82	10
BRAINTREE	ULTRA ELECTRONICS OCEAN SYSTEMS INC.	$234,960	20	3
CAMBRIDGE	BRUNER/COTT & ASSOCIATES, INC.	$72,000	50	12
CHELMSFORD	ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION	$222,960	200	10
CLINTON	POLUS CENTER FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC. (THIS IS A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED TO A CONSORTIUM WHICH ALSO INCLUDES: MONTACHUSETT OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL OF FITCHBURG; AND  THE NEMASKET GROUP OF FAIRHAVEN)	$12,500	n/a	n/a
DANVER	SHAWMUT ADVERTISING INC.	$52,160	21	0
FALL RIVER	HEALTHFIRST FAMILY CARE CENTER, INC.	$150,150	74	6
FLORENCE	CHEMIPLASTICA, INC.	$31,680	28	0
HOLYOKE	MERIDIAN INDUSTRIAL GROUP	$63,900	28	3
LAWRENCE	IMAJINE THAT, LLC	$91,250	64	8
LAWRENCE	SEKISUI VOLTEK, LLC	$92,400	77	1
LEE	BOYD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	$112,510	43	4
LEOMINSTER	F&M TOOL & PLASTICS, INC.	$38,650	26	5
LEOMINSTER	INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING	$62,000	23	2
LEOMINSTER	J.D. ASSOCIATES	$21,700	15	3
LEOMINSTER	LEAKTITE CORPORATION	$112,800	81	6
LOWELL	CORTRON, INC.	$198,576	47	3
LOWELL	T&T ANODIZING, INC.	$17,680	9	1
LUDLOW	COMMERCIAL MACHINE, INC.	$25,590	6	1
LYNN	STERLING MACHINE COMPANY, INC.	$74,300	32	3
MANSFIELD	BELKNAP WHITE GROUP, INC.	$72,000	42	3
MARLBORO	UNIVERSAL WINDOW & DOOR, LLC	$60,320	29	6
MILLBURY	THE HOLDEN LANDMARK CORPORATION	$67,840	38	2
MONSON	DIVERSIFIED METALS, INC.	$20,240	14	3
NEEDHAM	EURO-PRO MANAGEMENT, LLC	$176,950	232	75
NEW BEDFORD	PLUMBERS' SUPPLY COMPANY	$91,260	66	6
NORTH BILLERICA	SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.	$24,000	12	1
NORTON	CPS TECHNOLOGIES	$110,640	73	5
NORWOOD	ADVANCED INSTRUMENTS INC.	$102,950	93	3
ORLEANS	TRAINING WHEELS OF NEW ENGLAND, INC	$33,000	26	17
PEMBROKE	THAYER SCALE	$89,485	39	5
RANDOLPH	FLEXCON INDUSTRIES INC	$91,405	94	8
ROCKLAND	MIJA INDUSTRIES, INC	$42,800	25	5
SHARON	SENIOR AEROSPACE METAL BELLOWS	$151,060	185	10
SHREWSBURY	METSO AUTOMATION USA, INC	$200,700	210	0
SOMERVILLE	DUVINE CYCLING & ADVENTURE CO.	$39,808	17	2
SOUTHBRIDGE	SOUTHBRIDGE SAVINGS BANK	$194,668	115	6
SPRINGFIELD	PAPALE EYE CENTER	$65,055	17	1
SUDBURY	PURE ENCAPSULATIONS, INC.	$139,200	100	10
SUTTON	J & G FOODS, INC.	$122,000	76	13
TAUNTON	PRIDE, INC.	$45,760	40	6
WALTHAM	NEWBURG & CO. LLP	$42,296	31	4

GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES OPENING OF EF EDUCATION EXPANDED NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS

GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES OPENING OF EF EDUCATION EXPANDED NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS 

Expanded Headquarters Campus Will Host More Than 1,000 Employees, Double Company’s Cambridge Campus and Bring New Momentum to the Development of North Point Park.

CAMBRIDGE—Thursday, October 16, 2014—Governor Deval Patrick today joined state and local officials and EF Education First (EF) staff and organizational leadership to celebrate the opening of EF’s expanded headquarters in Cambridge. Headquartered in Massachusetts, EF has grown significantly as a world-wide leader in educational travel and language training, with nearly 1,000 employees in Massachusetts.

  

“Our Administration’s commitment to education, innovation and infrastructure are the keys to our continued economic success in Massachusetts,” said Governor Patrick. “EF Education First understands the importance of this successful strategy, and I am thrilled they have chosen the Commonwealth as the place for their continued expansion.” 

  

EF’s newly constructed space in Cambridge is a $125 million project that consists of 230,000 square feet of office space and 31,000 square feet of public space in the company’s ground floor. The new facility is built on land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, awarded through a competitive bidding process. As part of the expansion, EF has agreed to maintain and make improvements to portions of North Point Park, a public park overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. EF has already filled 200 of the 400 new jobs that EF committed to creating following the 2012 groundbreaking.

“We are honored to have played a small part in the remarkable public-private partnership that has transformed North Point into a vibrant place to live, work, and play,” said EF Education North America CEO Edward Hult.  “With new public parks, pedestrian connectivity, and billions of dollars in development activity happening on both sides of the River, it’s clear that what was once referred to as ‘the lost ½-mile of the Charles’ has been found.”  

“EF Education First’s expansion in Cambridge is not only generating additional employment opportunities, it is also increasing local access to its many educational programs,” said Congressman Michael Capuano. “With cultural exchanges and classrooms all over the world, EF Education First helps students learn new languages and experience other countries. I welcome the opening of their North American headquarters.”  

EF has built a global network of 16,000 full time staff, 16,00 part-time teachers, 5,000 full-time faculty and 500 schools and offices in over 52 countries. EF services has helped over 15 million people learn a new language, travel abroad or earn an academic degree.

The 10-story EF headquarters includes up to 16 different flexible workspaces on every floor and also features 31,000-square-feet of public space on the ground and mezzanine floors, a 14,000-square-foot restaurant with outdoor seating, staff amenities including a bike room, Hubway Station, private showers, a salon and fitness center, which will open in 2015. The development features sustainable design elements including rain gardens, gray water recycling and light harvesting.  

"EF Education First provides our students with unique opportunities to travel the globe affordably and with a focus on learning," said Secretary of Education Matthew Malone. "We are fortunate to have EF Education First as a committed educational partner and neighbor."

“Fostering this type of growth and infrastructure is evidence of how Massachusetts is a leader in economic development.” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki.

“As one of the top employers in Cambridge, EF has been an outstanding community partner and a steadfast supporter of Cambridge based organizations since they first located to our city. I couldn’t be more pleased that they have chosen to reinvest in our community and add to the growth and vitality of East Cambridge,” said Cambridge Mayor David Maher. “Cambridge is incredibly fortunate to host a company with the character and commitment of EF and we are excited be a part of their continuing evolution”.

“I am very excited and proud that EF Education First has chosen Cambridge as the site of their world headquarters,” said State Representative Tim Toomey. “The people at EF have shown themselves to be great community partners for a number of years, and are a key part of the transformation we have seen take place in the North Point area.” 

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