Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined Quinsigamond Community College President Luis G. Pedraja, regional workforce leaders and state and local officials to announce $2.5 million to four regional consortiums through the Advanced Manufacturing Training Program.
The AMT program enables regional partnerships to develop, coordinate and maintain regional, comprehensive manufacturing workforce development systems that effectively meet the needs of manufacturers. Regional systems will provide workforce development services in advanced manufacturing, including recruitment, job training, placement and supportive services.
Governor Charlie Baker said that advanced manufacturing “continues to be a key industry here in Massachusetts, and we are committed to supporting an industry that creates high-paying, full-time positions for residents with different skill levels. This program, which aligns with our relaunch of MassHire, builds on our administration’s investments in classroom infrastructure, industry innovation and regional coordination to connect residents to jobs, and address employer needs for skilled workers.”
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said the awards “represent nearly 140 community-based organizations, employers, educational institutions and career centers, working together to tackle existing challenges facing unemployed and underemployed individuals. We believe this collaborative, regional and place-based approach is an exciting step forward in effective workforce development that matches residents with high-growth industries.”
Since 2015, the Advanced Manufacturing Training Program has invested more than $5 million in workforce development, and this year’s award round nearly doubled the yearly investment over previous years.
In 2018, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development began a statewide re-branding of MassHire, bringing the career center system, which previously existed under 45 different programs and names, under one brand, MassHire. Today’s awardees are all qualified consortiums working in conjunction with the MassHire system.
Manufacturing represents 10% of the Commonwealth’s total economic output, and the Baker-Polito Administration has committed significant energy toward supporting the future of this sector in Massachusetts. In addition to the Advanced Manufacturing Training Program, the administration created a new funding mechanism, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Institute (M2I2) to support projects convened under the federal Manufacturing USA effort. With a $100 million commitment to investing in product development and commercialization, Massachusetts research and educational institutes are currently playing leading roles in advanced textiles, photonics, flexible-hybrid electronics, and robotics. The state’s Economic Development Incentive Program also provides critical tax-credit incentives for the relocation or expansion of manufacturers in the Commonwealth.
Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy said, “The move toward meaningful, regional collaboration cannot be underestimated in its impact to shape talent pipelines in the future. I applaud the efforts of our regional teams in collecting and analyzing statewide data and developing new regional blueprints to address the workforce needs of our diverse state.”
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said, “These grants, and the coordinated efforts between our state, federal, non-profit, and business communities, will go a long way toward helping us ensure that this critical piece of our economy continues to thrive in the Commonwealth.”
Education Secretary James Peyser said, “By partnering with community colleges and vocational and technical high schools, the consortiums receiving these grants will provide students and workers with affordable opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and credentials in advanced manufacturing.”
Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja, Ph.D., said the school “works closely with manufacturers to ensure a strong and solid pipeline of workers are available to help them grow and prosper. We thank the Commonwealth and the Administration for the funding to continue our efforts to be able to train our students for the jobs of today, and tomorrow.”
In 2015, Governor Baker convened the Workforce Skills Cabinet, comprised of the Executive Offices of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to support a comprehensive economic growth agenda to benefit all corners of the Commonwealth. Since 2015, the Workforce Skills Cabinet has invested more than $50 million in training equipment and educational infrastructure through the Skills Capital Grant Program, provide students and adult learners access to state-of-the-art equipment for training.
The Baker-Polito Administration also announced a new apprenticeship tax credit in the 2018 Economic Development Legislation, to encourage the creation of registered apprenticeships with employers in high-growth industries, including advanced manufacturing. This more than $1 billion economic development legislation also included new funding to accelerate small business development, further funding for the Skills Capital Program, $75 million in additional funding for the Skills Capital Grant Program, and new funding for the M2I2 program.
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Fiscal Year 2019 Advanced Manufacturing Training Program Awardees:
Central – Coordinated by MassHire North Central Workforce Board and 24 partner organizations
For the training and placement of 160 individuals in manufacturing the Central region in FY2019. And also to develop a 5-year Manufacturing Training Strategy to continued growth in the manufacturing training system, identify a regional Manufacturing Training Capitan to be the point person for the system, and participate in statewide coordination and system development.
Northeast – Coordinated by MassHire Metro North Workforce Board and 24 partner organizations
For the training and placement of 101 individuals in manufacturing the Northeast region in FY2019, and an additional 90 people will be placed using these funds. And also to develop a 5-year Manufacturing Training Strategy to continued growth in the manufacturing training system, identify a regional Manufacturing Training Capitan to be the point person for the system, and participate in statewide coordination and system development.
Southeast – Coordinated by Greater New Bedford Workforce Board and 58 partner organizations
For the training and placement of 185 individuals in manufacturing the Southeast region in FY2019. And also to develop a 5-year Manufacturing Training Strategy to continued growth in the manufacturing training system, identify a regional Manufacturing Training Capitan to be the point person for the system, and participate in statewide coordination and system development.
West – Coordinated by MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board and 33 partner organizations
For the training and placement of 127 individuals in manufacturing the Western region in FY2019. And also to develop a 5-year Manufacturing Training Strategy to continued growth in the manufacturing training system, identify a regional Manufacturing Training Capitan to be the point person for the system, and participate in statewide coordination and system development.