Secretary Bump Announces Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund Grants For Innovative Post-Secondary Education

Wednesday, March 11^th, 2009--- Boston, MA- Suzanne M. Bump, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development today announced the award of two Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) grants. The grants, awarded to Middlesex Community College and Mt. Wachusett Community College, are aimed at bolstering the workforce needs of the health care industry in the Commonwealth.

“These two grants address the necessity in our current workforce for well trained and competent health care professionals. The grant recipient institutions exemplify the type of efforts our Commonwealth needs to build a vibrant workforce, especially in the health sciences industry,” said Secretary Bump. “Community Colleges are the engine that propels our workforce forward and opens the doors for retraining and new career ventures for many.”

Specifically, the institutions are receiving planning grants for the testing and exploration of new strategies and services in their certificate programs in the areas of nursing, medical laboratory, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technician. After completing the testing phase in six months both institutions will be eligible to apply for implementation grants of up to $315,000.

Middlesex Community College will receive a planning grant is the amount of $49,971 and Mount Wachusett Community College will receive a planning grant in the amount of $44,374. Both have proposed to develop and enhance certificate programs that prepare participants for employment in health care occupations. These programs include: more occupational skills instruction, increased flexibility in class scheduling, increased partnerships with local hospitals and institutions to match students with future employers and increased support services and counseling for maintaining a work-family balance. Both institutions have agreed to share their findings with the Commonwealth for dissemination.