BOSTON, MA – This week, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $9.7 million in grants from the Skills Capital Grant Program to 47 educational organizations across the Commonwealth to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education. The awards mark $102 million in total funding provided to high schools, colleges and other educational organizations since the program’s inception in 2015.
As part of the announcement, South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School was awarded $256,000 to support training programs in healthcare related fields. High school and adult students will gain knowledge and skills to pursue careers as certified nurses’ assistants, licensed practical nurses, blood pathologists, and EKG technicians.
“Moving forward, these career paths are expected to see rapid growth throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “By investing in our young people for the careers of tomorrow, we are better positioning our economy for success. South Shore Tech has shown time and again that they give their students the knowledge and expertise they need to thrive in their chosen career path and I know this emerging program will show similar results.”
“South Shore Tech prepares students for career pathways that align with regional labor market demands. To accomplish that goal, we must stay current with curriculum resources and technical equipment,” said South Shore Tech Superintendent Tom Hickey. “Our Allied Health program's talented teachers and dedicated employer partners worked hard to secure this competitive grant. We are all grateful for the continued legislative support for Skills Capital Grant funding because these grants reduce the cost burden on our local communities and help us fulfill our school mission. Senator O'Connor continues to be a strong advocate of career technical education and South Shore Tech, and I appreciate his support.”
Since the Skills Capital Grant’s inception in 2015, over 40,000 students across the Commonwealth have directly benefited from their funds. A focus of the more recent grant awards has been the launch and expansion of the Governor’s Career Technical Initiative, which supports vocational-technical schools in expanding their impact by operating programs in the afternoons for local high school students and in the evenings for workers and adult learners.
“As we continue to address economic disparities across the Commonwealth and provide solutions to employment gaps in high-demand industries, the Skills Capital Grants play a significant role in training students of all ages for successful long-lasting careers,” said Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta.
“These unprecedented and sustained investments to expand training capacity in high-demand industries, and upgrades to the quality of equipment, ensure that our students – both young people and adults – graduate with knowledge and skills that are of immediate value to them as they launch careers and to employers who need skilled workers in today’s rapidly changing economy,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.
Senator Patrick O’Connor represents the Plymouth and Norfolk district, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth. Sen. O’Connor and his staff may be reached at the State House at 617-722-1646 or by email at Patrick.O’[email protected].