QCC Receives MassDevelopment Grant To Promote Manufacturing Careers

QCC is honored to be chosen for the third year to receive a $10,000 grant through MassDevelopment’s AMP it up! program.

“We are excited for the next round of AMP it up! This initiative has been an integral part of our collective strategy in central Massachusetts goal to address misconceptions regarding career opportunities in advanced manufacturing,” said Kathy Rentsch, Dean for the QCC School for Business, Engineering and Technology. “QCC and its partners will continue to outreach to parents, teachers, and career counselors. These individuals have the greatest influence over young adults and adults in career transition and their career pathways. We hope to stimulate creativity, innovation and interest in all aspects of this exciting career field from design to manufacture.”

The grant will be used to build on previous years' programs, including a Manufacturing Day for regional students, research on manufacturing resources for regional high schools, a social media campaign to directly connect students with employers and professional development activities for teachers and guidance counselors.

The goal of the the AMP it up! program is to increase awareness of advanced manufacturing careers.

MassDevelopment recently announced 10 partnerships will receive AMP it up! matching grants to conduct outreach and other innovative programs that will educate young people and adults about career options in advanced manufacturing. In the fourth consecutive year of the program, MassDevelopment will provide awards totaling $98,363.40 to the 10 partnerships — consisting of regional employment and workforce investment boards, manufacturers, chambers of commerce and development councils, community colleges, vocational schools, and other organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

“These 10 partnerships have developed creative, thoughtful proposals — in conjunction with industry — to reach students, guidance counselors, and veterans about the great potential of manufacturing careers,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “This grant round and the AMP it up! Video Challenge will build on previous AMP it up! efforts to educate everyone about the opportunities in the Massachusetts advanced manufacturing industry and the increasing need for skilled workers to fill these high-paying jobs.”

The community-based programs that are receiving the awards include student internships, tours of advanced manufacturing companies, career awareness workshops, teacher and guidance counselor information sessions and externships with manufacturers, and other planned activities. The AMP it up! campaign highlights the exciting, technology-driven, high-paying career options in manufacturing, dispels outdated misconceptions about the industry, and bolsters the prospective employee base for these quality jobs with Massachusetts companies. The fourth round of grants builds on the successes of the campaign’s previous years.

The other Worcester organization that received a grant is Girls Inc., which will get $5,000 to expose 90 girls ages 10-12 to manufacturing jobs through field trips, internships and training sessions through partnering with manufacturing companies.

In a complementary effort to promote the attractiveness of careers in advanced manufacturing, MassDevelopment is also holding a second edition of the AMP it up! Video Challenge, which invites students to research the inner workings of an advanced manufacturing innovation and show in a three-minute video how it impacts the world around them. An online balloting tool will allow the public to help determine the winning videos, which will earn cash prizes donated to their schools. One middle school, one high school, and one community college will each win $5,000 in funding for a total of $15,000 in prize money.

For more information, visit the Amp It Up website.