Quinsigamond Community College Recipient of Skills Capital Grant

Quinsigamond Community College has received $431,900 as part of the state’s Skills Capital Grant program. Skills Capital Grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with industry and align curriculum to meet businesses’ needs within the state.

QCC will partner with Worcester Technical High School to serve as a site to expand its HVAC certificate program. The expansion is designed to double the enrollment capacity of the HVAC certificate program and enable a second start date for students during the spring semester. Currently the HVAC program is being offered at QCC at Assabet.

“We are honored to receive this funding, which demonstrates our curriculum’s alignment with businesses’ demands,” said QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja. “We are committed to the future both locally and globally, ensuring that our students are afforded the best possible opportunity for success. The partnerships we are making will have lasting effects on our future workforce.”

“Worcester Technical High School is thrilled to be partnering with QCC to provide high quality competencies in the ever-growing and much needed field of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. The current Administration and Legislative body recognize the need to provide highly skilled individuals to meet these workforce demands through the provision of the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Awards,” said Kyle J. Brenner, principal of Worcester Technical High School.

Governor Charlie Baker announced that a total of $9.8 million in grants were awarded to 32 high schools, community colleges and educational institutions. QCC is one of six community colleges to be named a recipient of the competitive grants and received the second highest grant among its peers for its partnership program with Worcester Technical High School.

“These Skills Capital Grants will help boost our economy and equip students with new skills, knowledge and experience with state-of-the-art equipment across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to continuing our work with these 32 institutions and previous awardees to enhance their programs and develop a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.”

To date more than $36 million in Skills Capital Grants have been awarded in the last two years.