North Shore Districts Awarded $265K In State Tech Education Grants

SALEM, MA — Up to 160 new student seats in various career and technical education concentrations will be added through $265,000 in state grants to North Shore school districts.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the grants as part of $1.7 million in funding to six Massachusetts schools and school district partnerships concentrating on the emerging CTE fields.

These "After Dark" programs take place after the school day and create collaboration between career and technical education schools and local comprehensive traditional public high schools to provide students at public schools with access to career and technical education.

"Investing in career and technical education is essential to preparing our workforce for the future," Gov. Maura Healey. "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."

The Salem and Beverly school district partnership was awarded $181,719 and add 40 new seats in advanced manufacturing, construction craft laborers, health assisting and sustainable horticulture programs.

Salem and Beverly Public School students will take classes at their high schools during the day and then take career and technical education classes at Essex Tech in the afternoon.

"Partnerships between schools and industry leaders are the backbone of our workforce development strategy," said Lt. Governor and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. "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."

The North Shore After Dark Partnership Program was awarded $83,655 to expand to an additional 120 students, increasing access to programs in advanced manufacturing, construction craft labor, early education and care, health assisting, and sustainable horticulture.

The North Shore After Dark Partnership Program is a collaborative program, including Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Beverly Public Schools, Danvers Public Schools, Gloucester Public Schools, Marblehead Public Schools, Rockport Public Schools, and Swampscott Public Schools.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)