Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants
BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded more than $2.4 million in workforce training fund grants to 25 companies to train current or newly hired workers. This round of grant funding will help train 2,162 workers, and is expected to create 263 new jobs.
“We have made workforce development a priority for Massachusetts residents to get the skills they need to prosper and for companies to have a talented pool of workers to expand,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The training and career-building skills provided by these investments will help bolster economic prosperity and success throughout the Commonwealth.”
The Workforce Training Fund assists Massachusetts businesses in becoming more competitive by investing in the skills of their workers. The Workforce Training Fund is also a key resource to thousands of Massachusetts workers who wish to advance their skills to achieve promotional opportunities and higher wages. It also acts as a catalyst for job creation.
“The Workforce Training Fund is a vital tool for many companies to upgrade employees’ skills and increase productivity,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “The training helps both the workers and the companies compete in a global environment.”
The Workforce Training Fund provides grants of up to $250,000 to companies in Massachusetts, to pay for workforce training over a two-year period. Grants are awarded to projects that will upgrade workers’ skills, increase productivity, and enhance the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Grants are matched dollar-for-dollar by the award recipients.
The Workforce Training Fund is a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education and workforce organizations to strengthen skills for youth and adults in order to help them thrive in the state’s economy.
“With these grants, companies are making a commitment to enhance the skills of their workers, which not only helps businesses be more competitive, it boosts the state’s overall economy when more people are better trained,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baker-Polito administration and the Workforce Training Fund grant, which will allow us to grow in Massachusetts,” said Curtis Schmidt, senior manager of radar industrialization at Autoliv Incorporated. “Autoliv is committed to saving more lives and to providing world class automotive safety through training our employees to be more knowledgeable, efficient, and to help them be exceptional leaders.”
“For almost 20 years, companies have benefitted from the Workforce Training Fund, enabling them to give their employees the most up-to-date skills, while positioning their business for growth,” Nancy Snyder, president and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Corporation said. “Many business owners tell us they would not be able to make this type of investment in their workforce without these grants.”
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation hope to encourage businesses to address workforce training needs through the Workforce Training Fund. The fund awards more than $1 million each month, on a rolling basis throughout the year. Interested parties are encouraged to visit WorkforceTrainingFund.org to learn more.
The following is a complete list of the grant recipients awarded Workforce Training Fund Grants today (listed by community):
Boston
Boloco was awarded $107,600 to train 205 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018
Burlington
Everbridge, Inc. was awarded $159,600 to train 184 workers, 45 additional jobs expected by 2018
Fall River
Genlyte Thomas Group LLC was awarded $171,250 to train 68 workers; three additional jobs expected by 2018.
Lawrence
Asahi-America was awarded $169,440 to train 65 workers; 12 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Lowell
Autoliv Incorporated was awarded $189,940 to train 72 workers; 25 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Methuen
Axiomtek Co., LTD was awarded $39,600 to train 33 workers; two additional jobs expected by 2018.
Northborough
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions US Inc. was awarded $248,660 to train 178 workers; 15 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Springfield
Freedom Credit Union was awarded $126,175 to train 133 workers.
Taunton
IQE KC LLC was awarded $95,400 to train 76 workers; 11 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Waltham
Cloudlock, Inc. was awarded $113,800 to train 97 workers; 40 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Ogin, Inc. was awarded $204,040 to train 51 workers; 4 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Wellesley
Maloney Properties, Inc. was awarded $212,691 to train 387 workers; 25 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Westborough
Columbia Tech was awarded $246,970 to train 230 workers; 25 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Wilmington
Teradiode, Inc. was awarded $195,260 to train 83 workers; 10 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Woburn
Dole & Bailey, Inc. was awarded $66,640 to train 89 workers; 5 additional jobs expected by 2018.
Worcester
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership was awarded $151,016 to train 93 workers; 9 additional jobs expected by 2018. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Universal Plastics Corporation of Holyoke, Advanced Welding of Springfield, Duval Precision Grinding of Chicopee, Metronic of Chicopee, and Millitech, Inc. of Northampton.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership was awarded $49,280 to train 43 workers; 6 additional jobs expected by 2018. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Mayfield Plastics, Inc. of Sutton, Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc. of Ware, OTS, FITEL LLC of Sturbridge, and Lowell Corporation of West Boylston.
Nouria Energy Services, Inc. was awarded $129,684 to train 126 workers; 20 additional jobs expected by 2018. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Nouria Energy Retail, Inc. of Worcester.