The Healey-Driscoll Administration has injected $10.9 million into the Massachusetts economy to enhance workforce training statewide. Grants distributed by the Commonwealth Corporation are aimed at boosting the skills of over 6,600 workers and fostering job creation with more than 1,400 new positions expected in the coming two years. Governor Maura Healey, commending the initiative, says "These grants provide the resources needed to help build a pipeline of skilled workers, allowing our businesses to remain competitive and helping them grow and expand," according to Mass.gov.
In a statement obtained by Mass.gov, Governor Healey emphasized the importance of the grants in maintaining Massachusetts' position as a preeminent state to live and work. Lt. Gov. Driscoll highlighted the statewide benefits, noting that, “Investing in workforce through vital training and upskilling is a recipe for success, not only for our businesses but for our state as a whole.” The awards are part of the administration's strategic investments intending to retain and upskill talent in the workforce. Grant recipients span across eleven industries, but a significant portion has been awarded to the manufacturing sector, where 67 businesses received $5.6 million to train 3,139 workers.
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones remarked on the vital role people play in the state's economy, reinforcing the value of resources that bolster worker skills and business competitiveness. "The Workforce Training Fund is an incredible resource that employers can tap to retain and upskill existing workers with critical skills such as ESOL, technology, project management, and relevant industry credentials and certifications that advances professional development plus outcomes for businesses across the state," Jones told Mass.gov.
The Commonwealth Corporation's President and CEO, Molly Jacobson, also praised the effort, crediting the grantee partners for making "a profound impact on the future of our workforce and economy," as stated by Mass.gov. The funding program extends to businesses of all sizes, though it remains particularly accessible for small to medium-sized enterprises. With grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, over $37.2 million has been allocated during the fiscal year 2024 to train more than 27,900 workers from over 1,600 businesses. Employers receiving these grants anticipate the addition of more than 2,800 employees in Massachusetts by 2026. Each grant recipient is required to contribute a matching investment of at least one dollar for every grant-dollar awarded, an approach designed to foster cooperative investment in the state's workforce development.
