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QCC Receives $488,735 Grant to Expand Lab Capacity and Train Unemployed and Under-Employed

September 2016

The Baker-Polito Administration awarded $2.6 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to seven high schools, community colleges, and an educational collaborative, in order to expand skills training programs and address capital and expansion needs at educational institutions that help Massachusetts residents develop skills for careers in growing industries.

Quinsigamond Community College will receive $488,735 to expand laboratory capacity in the Computer Information Technologies lab at its Southbridge location, and introduce integrated basic education and technical skills training. In addition, the funding will support training for unemployed and under-employed individuals located with the Southbridge office of the Workforce Central Career Center.

“Providing skill-training opportunities across the Commonwealth is a priority for our administration,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These important grants to vocational high schools, community colleges and other educational institutions will aid their development of programs best suited to train workers for a growing Massachusetts economy and evolving workforce.”

QCC President Dr. Gail Carberry added “Great careers start at Quinsigamond Community College. The Workforce Skills Capital Grant will directly train students to succeed in high demand STEM fields, as well as bring new career opportunities to displaced workers.”

“The goal of these grants is to expand the capacity of programs that build skills for Massachusetts residents,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “We already see the impact these grants are having at educational programs around the state, and we know these investments will strengthen the state’s economy for all residents.”

The Workforce Skills Capital Grant Program was a new initiative of the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which seeks to align education, workforce and economic development strategies across the state.

Early in the administration, Governor Baker tapped Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker II, Education Secretary James Peyser, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash to work together to develop policies to improve economic and job training opportunities for residents of the Commonwealth.

“We are pleased to award an additional $2.6 million in skills capital grants to these high schools, community colleges, and educational partners for needed capital projects and expansions,” said Education Secretary Jim Peyser. “We have already seen the difference that this grant program has made for the first grantees announced earlier this year, and we look forward to seeing the impact that this money will have on the schools, the workforce, and their communities.”

“All of these schools crafted quality training programs that are tied directly to regional employment needs and have strong employer partnerships, which is in direct alignment with the goals of the Workforce Skills Cabinet,” said Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Juan R. Vega. “Since all of today’s awardees initially applied in the inaugural round in February, we are particularly pleased to move forward on these grants today, ensuring excellent programs are given the necessary resources to succeed.” 

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