Massachusetts has awarded $1.9 million through its GROW Intermediary grant program to expand paid training and workforce development across the state. The funding will support organizations working with employers to establish or expand registered apprenticeship programs in health care, manufacturing, building maintenance, automotive services and other sectors.
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the awards Oct. 14 through the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Division of Apprentice Standards. The grants include both renewed contracts and new awards, supported by state Workforce Investment Trust funds and federal State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding.
The 10 recipients are projected to register 303 apprentices. Since January 2023, the administration has awarded more than $15 million in GROW grants to expand apprenticeship opportunities.
Several grants support occupations relevant to construction and facility operations. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation received $212,250 to train and place 33 building maintenance apprentices. The program is expected to help develop workers for building operations and maintenance roles.
Other awards include $292,500 for MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board to support 45 apprentices in health care, social services and manufacturing, and $117,000 for Cape Cod Community College to train 18 marine outboard technician apprentices.
The complete funding allocation also covers automotive service technicians, culinary workers, surgical and radiologic technicians, sterile processing technicians, medical assistants, audiovisual specialists, credit analysts and direct support professionals.
The University of Massachusetts Boston received $175,500 to support 27 direct support professional apprenticeships serving individuals with disabilities. The award was announced at Work, Inc. in Dorchester.
Alongside the grant announcement, state officials launched a Registered Apprenticeship Program tour to showcase employer partnerships and promote training opportunities in high-demand industries. Planned stops include Pfizer’s life sciences apprenticeship program in Andover, Waltham Public Schools’ teacher apprenticeship program and visits focused on health care and the building trades.
Massachusetts’ Division of Apprentice Standards oversees more than 900 registered apprenticeship programs. Although construction accounts for most apprenticeships, the state is expanding programs into manufacturing, life sciences, education and health care.
The administration has also reduced the annual fee for registered apprenticeship sponsors from $300 to $250 and expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit to additional occupations.
The grants support workforce development across industries that depend on skilled workers to build, operate and maintain facilities. For contractors, building owners and facility operators, apprenticeship programs can provide structured training pathways and help employers develop talent for ongoing workforce needs. The building maintenance award is particularly relevant to commercial property operations, while broader investment in skilled trades may help strengthen the regional construction workforce.
Source: Mass. Gov.
