Middlesex CC To Receive $735K Workforce Training Grant From State

BEDFORD, MA —Middlesex Community College (MCC) learned last week that it will receive a $735,000 Workforce Training Grant from the state as part of a program designed to help community colleges support the creation and expansion of training programs in high-demand industries.

The administration of Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the funding, which will feature $15 million being awarded to 15 community colleges.

The administration said that through the program, approximately 1,500 people —75 per school — will receive specialized training at no cost in industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, information technology and cybersecurity.

According to the administration, about one-third of the grant funding will be allocated toward building capacity in training programs for the healthcare industry, which is in high demand across the Commonwealth.

The training programs will strive to help populations who have traditionally experienced higher rates of unemployment and barriers to employment, with priority will be given to those who are unemployed and underemployed, the administration said.

Representatives for MCC said the school plans to use the funds for both credit and noncredit programming that can be completed in a year, and that it will focus on its nurse assistant, cybersecurity and medical lab technician, Google IT and pharmacy technician education and training programs.

As part of the training, individuals also will receive help in transitioning into the workforce, the school said.

"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."

Burke continued: "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."

According to the Baker/Polito administration, the funding was part of An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs, which was signed by Baker in December 2021.

"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," Baker said.

Baker continued: "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."