The Healey-Driscoll administration announced Monday it would award $1.7 million in funding to career and technical education schools statewide.
The money is designed to add 342 new seats and support workforce development, career training and industry collaboration in fields like advanced manufacturing, early education, and health assisting.
The funding would also enable Salem and Beverly school districts (receiving $181,719), as well as the North Shore After Dark Partnership Program (receiving $83,655), to add additional seats for career and technical education programs. Such programs include advanced manufacturing, construction craft laborers, early education and care, health assisting, and sustainable horticulture programs.
Salem and Beverly students taking the “After Dark” program will take classes at their high schools during the day and then career and technical education classes at Essex North Shore Technical & Agricultural School in the afternoon. The program is a collaborative effort among Essex Tech, Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Marblehead, Rockport and Swampscott.
“Investing in career and technical education is essential to preparing our workforce for the future,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
“These grants will give students access to the tools and training they need to succeed in critical industries, from advanced manufacturing to early education and care, while also creating stronger ties between schools and employers to ensure that education programs match real-world demand.”
Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and state Rep. Sally Kerans visited North Shore Community College’s new Henderson Bertolon Simulation Health Care Center of Excellence.
It’s an on-campus hospital simulation for medical students, to tour the facility and speak with the students who will be taking advantage of the expanded career training opportunities in order to advance into fields including nursing, surgical technology, respiratory care, physical therapy, and more.
“There’s an entry point into these incredible STEM careers right now in Massachusetts, and in incredible facilities like the Henderson Bertolon center here where adults can enter the pathway of the health sciences and go on to an incredible career,” Tutwiler said.
“When [students] are here, we encourage them to make mistakes so that when they’re in the real life situation, they have something to call upon,” NSCC Clinical Coordinator Jassmine Bradley said.
“(We’re) figuring out the gaps between a controlled educational environment and the chaotic, highly fluid clinical environment, and it’s very beneficial. The students and myself are very lucky to have (the simulation center) here.”
“Partnerships between schools and industry leaders are the backbone of our workforce development strategy,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said.
“By aligning education with the skills that employers need, we’re empowering students and workers to take advantage of high-quality job opportunities while helping businesses grow.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202