FITCHBURG — On Dec. 10, the Baker-Polito administration announced $11.7 million in Skills Capital Grants awarded to 47 educational institutions across the Commonwealth to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education. Local vocational-technical high school, Monty Tech, was among the list of grateful recipients.
“Monty Tech has come to rely of grant funding to update and improve our programs,” said Sheila Harrity, Superintendent-Director of Monty Tech. “We continually seek competitive grants, such as the Skills Capital Grant, to ensure our students are being trained on the most current equipment, and familiar with the latest technology, and we could not be more grateful for the continued support shown by the Baker-Polito Administration. They are truly champions of workforce development and vocational education.”
“At a critical time in our Commonwealth, these Skills Capital Grants will increase flexibility and support for schools and educational institutions to launch new programs and help more students develop important technical skills and prepare them for high-demand industries,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “As our economy moves forward, it will be crucial for young people to develop the important technical skills that local employers need to grow their businesses.”
The Skills Capital Grants are awarded by Gov. Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which was created in 2015 to bring together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to align education, economic development and workforce policies in order to strategize around how to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in every region of the Commonwealth.
The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.
The $323,160 grant awarded to Monty Tech, which was supported by local businesses and organizations including Great Wolf Lodge and MassHire North Central Workforce Board, will be used to update equipment in the school’s cafeteria and Culinary Arts program, providing instructors and students in the day program with new opportunities for training. This equipment will also be utilized to introduce an all-new evening Culinary Arts programs in the School ofContinuing Education. Non-traditional students who enroll in this comprehensive evening program will earn valuable industry-recognized credentials and be prepared to enter high-demand career pathways in Culinary and Hospitality industries.
“Several schools awarded grants in this round will be able to expand their after-school and evening vocational programs, in alignment with the Governor’s Career Technical Initiative aimed at giving more people opportunities and education in the trades,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.
“The Career Technical Initiative provides additional career training opportunities for both young people and adults by operating three teaching shifts a day at vocational schools.”
Monty Tech has received $1,779,686 in Skills Capital Grant funding since FY16, significantly improving eight of the school’s 21 vocational-technical programs with this funding.