Middlesex CC Awarded $735,000 Workforce Training Grant

Lowell, MA — Middlesex Community College received $735,000 as part of the Baker-Polito Administration $15 Million Workforce Training Grant awarded to the 15 Massachusetts community colleges.

The funding supports “the creation and expansion of training programs in high-demand industries, such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, information technology and cybersecurity,” according to a press release from the Baker-Polito Administration.

“These funds will support what community colleges do best – providing education and training for eligible individuals ready to enter the workforce,” said Dr. Arlene Rodríguez, MCC’s Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “Middlesex will focus on both credit and noncredit programming that can be completed in a year for positions in high-demand and much needed fields, such as healthcare and IT.”

MCC plans to focus on the nurse assistant, cybersecurity and medical lab technician, Google IT and pharmacy technician education and training programs. As part of the training, individuals will receive help in transitioning into the workforce with their knowledge and skills.

“We feel so fortunate to receive this funding,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “This resource will be a game changer for unemployed and underemployed workers, as well as our employer partners across the state, who are struggling to build a strong workforce. MCC has a rich and robust history of educating and training our regions’ workforce. This funding will help those who may be interested in getting back in the workforce but need to sharpen their skills have the ability to take that next step toward advancing their career.”

Across the state, approximately 1,500 people will participate in the trainings at no cost, according to the governor’s release. Each community college will be provided funding to serve 75 individuals. Individuals who are unemployed or underemployed will have prioritization. More funding will be provided based on enrollment needs.

“These grants complement our administration’s ongoing work to address the skills gap by building additional training capacity at all the Commonwealth’s community colleges so people have opportunities to gain hands-on skills and knowledge in growing industries,” Governor Baker said. “It is crucial that we provide more residents with quality training options and eliminate the gaps between what skills the Massachusetts workforce has, and what skills employers need.”

Bunker Hill Community College and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges will jointly administer the grant program with the Executive Office of Education and in consultation with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the regional Workforce Investment Boards.