Press Release  Governor Healey Announces $14.5 Million to Expand Career and Technical Education at Six Schools

FITCHBURG — Governor Maura Healey today announced $14.5 million in new grants to expand career and technical education (CTE) programs at six high schools across Massachusetts, creating opportunities for approximately 500 additional students each year to gain hands-on training and prepare for good-paying jobs. The funding, awarded through the new Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program, will help schools build and expand training facilities and offer more programs in high-demand fields including health care, information technology, manufacturing and the skilled trades.

The new grants build on Governor Healey’s efforts to increase access to career and technical education and address growing demand from students and families. The funding will help comprehensive high schools add CTE programs, increase enrollment capacity and partner with vocational schools, employers and colleges to provide students with career-connected learning opportunities, particularly in communities where access has been limited.

“Students across Massachusetts want more opportunities to learn a trade, gain hands-on experience and prepare for good-paying jobs, and we are delivering,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We've made major investments to expand career and technical education, and these new grants will create more seats and bring training programs to more high schools. We're opening doors for students to pursue careers they're excited about while building the skilled workforce Massachusetts needs.”

“Career and technical education gives students real-world experience and a chance to discover what they're passionate about,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments are bringing schools, employers and communities together to create more opportunities for young people to explore careers, learn valuable skills and build successful futures right here in Massachusetts.”

The announcement was made at the Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Center in Fitchburg, highlighting how partnerships between comprehensive high schools and CTE schools can expand access to career training. Fitchburg Public Schools is receiving $3.5 million to establish a new Culinary Arts program through the MVP Academy, a partnership with Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech) and neighboring school districts. The funding will support construction of a new 2,500-square-foot MVP Café, featuring a commercial teaching kitchen and student-operated restaurant, creating 42 CTE seats annually while also supporting evening and weekend workforce training opportunities for adults.

"Too many students who want to pursue career and technical education have been unable to access these opportunities because programs are full or unavailable in their communities," said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. "These grants will help us change that by creating more seats, modernizing learning spaces and supporting partnerships that bring hands-on STEM learning and career training to more students. The collaboration between Fitchburg Public Schools and Monty Tech is a great example of how schools can work together to expand access and create new pathways to college and careers."

The investment builds on Governor Healey's efforts to expand access to career and technical education and create more pathways for students to college and careers. The administration previously announced $70 million to expand career and technical education at 28 schools across Massachusetts, creating up to 2,500 additional seats for students. Together with the new CTE Annex Pilot Program grants, these investments are helping schools increase training capacity, modernize facilities and expand access to hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.

“As we celebrate STEM Week and lift up careers in STEM-related fields, we’re excited to be able to offer more students access to career and technical education programs,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “CTE programs, whether in CTE schools or more traditional high schools, are great preparation for in-demand fields such as manufacturing, health care and information technology.” 

"This grant is an incredible investment in our students and the future of vocational education in North Central Massachusetts. When we created MVP Academy, our goal was simple: to provide more students with opportunities to explore careers and develop skills that will prepare them for life after high school,” said Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Jon Thompson. “The addition of a Culinary Arts program is another exciting step forward in that mission. I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished through our partnership with Monty Tech, Gardner, and Narragansett, and grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the importance of expanding these opportunities. This investment will open new doors for our students and help meet the growing workforce needs of our region."

“Today was a wonderful display of partnerships that work from schools across the Commonwealth.  While we are certainly excited to have an opportunity to expand the MVP Academy to include a Culinary Arts training program, we are delighted to see other schools across the Commonwealth working to develop similar models of their own.  From what we have seen, this is the most cost effective way to expand access to vocational training, while remaining true to the rigorous, comprehensive model of vocational education that Massachusetts is known for,” said Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Superintendent-Director Tom Browne. “Watching Secretary Zrike engage with MVP students reminds us why we do this work, and how these students are engaging with learning on a new level.  Discussing their projects, showing such great pride in their work - that is what it is all about.  We are grateful for the continued investment in MVP Academy and students across North Central MA.”

Grant recipients include:

• Everett High School — $1,014,000: To modernize and expand its Medical Assisting and Programming and Web Development programs through renovated instructional spaces, a new clinical simulation laboratory and upgraded technology. The improvements will create approximately 95 additional seats, increasing capacity from 105 to 200 students and expanding opportunities for hands-on training and industry credentials. 
• Fitchburg High School — $3,500,000: To establish a new Culinary Arts program through the Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Academy, including construction of a 2,500-square-foot MVP Café with a commercial teaching kitchen and student-operated restaurant. Developed in partnership with Monty Tech and neighboring school districts, the program will provide 42 vocational seats annually and support evening and weekend workforce training for adults. 
• Haverhill High School — $3,210,056: To expand Health Assisting and Information Support Services and Networking programs through approximately 3,828 square feet of new instructional space, including a health care simulation center and technology innovation laboratory. The expansion will create approximately 140 additional vocational seats and support a satellite technology repair program where students gain experience maintaining municipal technology. 
• Newburyport High School — $3,101,500: To expand Advanced Manufacturing and Health Assisting programs through specialized training facilities, including a health care laboratory and advanced manufacturing equipment for CNC machining, 3D printing and fabrication. The investment will expand access to hands-on learning and industry-recognized credentials, preparing students for careers in health care, engineering and advanced manufacturing.  
   
• North Middlesex Regional High School — $675,000: To establish new Public Safety and Construction Craft Laborer programs, providing hands-on training in emergency response, firefighting, law enforcement and the building trades. The programs will strengthen partnerships with employers and labor organizations and prepare students for apprenticeships, further training and careers in high-demand fields. 
• Watertown High School — $3,000,000: To establish new Carpentry and Electrical programs through specialized instructional facilities and hands-on training environments. The programs will expand access to skilled trades education and prepare students for apprenticeships and careers in construction, electrical services and related industries.

The CTE Annex Pilot Program is funded through the Fair Share surtax and supports capital improvements, facility expansions, long-term leasing of additional space and other investments needed to increase access to career and technical education. Projects are expected to be completed by June 2028.

The announcement is part of Massachusetts STEM Week, taking place October 19–23, with this year's theme, "STEM Starts Now." The statewide celebration brings together schools, colleges, employers and community organizations to highlight STEM education and career opportunities for learners of all ages.

The administration is also marking the second day of STEM Week with events highlighting hands-on science education and workforce development opportunities. Following the announcement in Fitchburg, Education Secretary Zrike visited Sky View Middle School in Leominster, an early adopter of OpenSciEd, to observe students participating in the curriculum. OpenSciEd is a research-based, open-source science curriculum that engages students in hands-on investigations, scientific inquiry and real-world problem-solving. Later in the day, administration officials also visited Middlesex Community College to highlight expanded Pathmaker workforce training opportunities in industries including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defense, climatetech and life sciences.

Statements of Support:

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):

“Career and technical education has the power to reshape Massachusetts. Quality education supported by grants like these can prepare our young people to fill high-paying jobs in parts of the economy where skilled workers are sorely needed. At the same time, this kind of education lifts people up and closes the opportunity gaps that divide us. I’m thankful to my Senate colleagues who joined me in pushing for these investments, and I’m grateful to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for putting this program into action.”

Senator John Cronin:

“Every student deserves the opportunity to explore their interests and see a future for themselves in a career they’re excited about. I am deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for investing in our students and supporting partnerships like the one here in Fitchburg. The new MVP Café will give students the chance to put their culinary skills to work in a restaurant setting, serving their community as they learn. This investment will help young people pursue rewarding careers and contribute to a stronger local economy here in North Central.”

Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education:

“Expanding career and technical education programs creates opportunities for students to develop the skills and hands-on experience they need to pursue their chosen careers. These grants are an investment not only in our students’ futures, but also in strengthening workforce development across the Commonwealth.”

Representative Michael Kushmerek:

“This $3.5 million investment for Fitchburg Public Schools will expand career and workforce training opportunities for students and adults, particularly those most marginalized in our community, while strengthening our regional economy. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for your commitment to career and technical education and for investing in opportunities that help ensure that every single student has access to the life changing opportunities of vocational education”

 Representative Margaret Scarsdale: 

“When I toured the MVP Academy last year, I saw firsthand the incredible work being done to help students discover their interests and fine-tune valuable skills for their futures. I am thrilled to see these opportunities expand through the addition of a new Culinary Arts program. Career and technical education create paths to rewarding careers, and I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the partnership between Fitchburg Public Schools and Monty Tech for this investment in our students and workforce.”

Representative Aaron Saunders:

“This Funding has been a game changer for hundreds of families in Western Mass and provided our students the opportunity to pursue the educational path they wanted. The grant from Governor Healey not only eliminated the waitlist, but also kept our community from having to shutter a school building in the center of town. This is a win across the board.”

Representative Meghan K. Kilcoyne:

"Vocational education is an essential aspect of our public school system. I am excited to see expanded access to career training to better prepare individuals to enter the workforce and contribute to local communities and economies."

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