Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced the availability of $60 million in career technical education capital funding for schools across the state. The funding will support schools to buy and install training equipment and add over 2,000 new career tech seats in the state through the expansion of existing and new career tech programs that meet the workforce needs for regional employers.
Made possible through Fair Share funding, comprehensive high schools and career technical schools are invited to apply for the Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants. These programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through the development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs. It also provides students with high quality learning experiences which enable them to see and understand future career paths, including continued education.
The CTE programs are offered in a variety of formats to reach the needs of all learners. At approved comprehensive high schools and dedicated career technical schools, programs are offered during the regular school day. Some also offer CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark” which take place after school to provide additional public-school students with access to career technical education. This version of the program is also accessible to adult learners, unemployed or underemployed individuals, and those from underserved populations and underrepresented groups. It provides career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative (CTI).
Eligible schools that operate CTE programs interested in the grant can apply online. The deadline to apply for the grant funding is Oct. 30. Prioritization will be given to projects that offer more CTE programs at night and on weekends to serve high school students and adult learners. Programs in geographic areas that have long waitlists and limited regional capacity will also be given priority to the funding. Later this fall an opportunity will be available for comprehensive high schools that do not yet have a CTE program to apply for planning grants.
The CTE program funding continues this administration’s dedication to education and technical programs across the state. Under the Reimagining High School initiative, the state has expanded career-connected education in a variety of ways. Over the past two and a half years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students.
The program also works alongside the BRIGHT Act which provides $100 million for Skills Capital grants to help high schools, colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs.
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