Mass. (WWLP) – Bay Path University, Holyoke Community College, and SnapChef in Springfield are among the 22 grantees for receiving portions of $15.9 million in workforce development grant funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
It is funded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation through the state’s Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. This funding represents partnerships with employers, training providers, and regional collaborators.
“On behalf of the Administration, Commonwealth Corporation congratulates these twenty-two partnerships,” said Commonwealth Corporation President and CEO Molly Jacobson. “CommCorp is proud to support these high-quality initiatives that connect Massachusetts residents and workers to high-demand employment opportunities across the state.”
According to a news release from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, this latest round of workforce development funding will train, upskill, and provide job placement for 2,182 workers for in-demand occupations in health care, human services, life sciences, culinary arts, and more.
Officials say these awarded grants are to help close the skills gap, increase access to well-paying jobs for unemployed and underemployed residents, and strengthen productivity and workforce needs among employers in regions throughout the state.
“These Workforce Success Grants will provide hundreds of Massachusetts residents with access to quality job training and connect our employers with the skilled workforce they need to do business,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Recruiting and retaining a strong and diverse workforce is key to our economic growth and competitiveness.”
“With these grants, we are supporting both our workforce and our businesses and putting the state in a position to not only succeed but thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The grants will help these organizations attract and retain the skilled talent they need and give our workforce the training to help them on their career pathway.”
How each grantee in western Massachusetts will use the money given to them
- Bay Path University, Longmeadow: $1, 768,036
- Bay Path University will provide training and placement services to 144 unemployed and underemployed participants for Healthcare Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Residential Support Professional positions.
- They will partner with Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Toward Independent Learning and Living (TILL, Inc.).
- Holyoke Community College, Holyoke: $1,564,732
- Holyoke Community College is leading a consortium that includes Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Roxbury Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College, to provide training and placement services to 330 participants for Paraprofessional Educator roles.
- Additional key partners include Holyoke Public Schools, Central Berkshire Regional School District, Springfield Public Schools, William Monroe Trotter Elementary School & Henry L. Higginson Inclusion School, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Mattahunt Elementary School, and Greenfield Public Schools.
- SnapChef, Dorchester/Springfield: $500,000
- SnapChef plans to use $500,000 to train, upskill, and provide employment for 168 in Culinary Professional roles.
- They will partner with Loophole Brewing, Fresh Food Generation, and Daily Table.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration values teaming up with employers and workforce partners spanning many industries to build the skilled talent needed for jobs in demand across Massachusetts,” said Secretary Lauren Jones of Labor and Workforce Development. “By investing in these collaborative partnerships, we are increasing access, opportunities, and outcomes for Massachusetts residents to train, upskill, and compete in our growing workforce.”
Some of the grantees expressed their gratitude for receiving these funds.
“Receiving the WCTF Donnelly grant from Commonwealth Corporation is a transformative moment for Snapchef, Snapchef Foundation, and the communities we serve. This funding will allow us to expand our Fast Track Hands-On Culinary Training Program, equipping individuals with the skills employers need and providing a clear pathway to stable and rewarding careers. Workforce development is at the heart of what we do, as it not only empowers individuals but also strengthens families and communities. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to make a significant impact and look forward to the positive changes it will bring,” expressed Todd Snopkowski, Snapchef CEO and Co-Founder.
“We are very excited about the opportunity this grant offers to build a robust collaboration with Cooley Dickinson Hospital, TILL, Inc., and our other partners, which include the MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers in the Pioneer Valley and Northeast Planning Regions, Springfield Works!, and the United Way of Pioneer Valley. With our focus on unemployed or underemployed individuals, our vision is to accelerate their entry into upwardly mobile career and educational pathways in the healthcare and human services fields through entry-level healthcare assistant positions, thereby addressing critical workforce shortages in the regions we serve,” added Sandy Doran, Bay Path University President.
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Kayleigh Thomas
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