DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded Essex Tech a $240,000 grant to train people ready to enter the workforce or advance in their careers.
The school will use the Career Technical Institute grant to train those who are unemployed or underemployed. Twelve students will be trained in each of four disciplines: Automotive services technician, HVAC technician, plumbing, and construction labor.
Successful participants will earn industry certifications/credentials, and career placement assistance.
“At Essex Tech, our primary mission is to train our future workforce. We carry out this mission through excellent technical programs during the day but also in our evening programs. We intend to do that,” Superintendent Riccio said. “When a recession hits, some occupations may need to adjust, and the output is new opportunities. Essex Tech is ready to serve those displaced, unemployed, or underemployed workers and train them for high-paying careers on the North Shore.”
“The Baker-Polito Administration has developed the Career Technical Institute (CTI) initiative which includes industry training for adults in our region,” said Bonnie Carr, Director of Workforce Development at Essex Tech. “These CTI courses are offered at Essex Tech through our NightHawks Adult Education Program. Through the CTI initiative, we continue to work in partnership with the MassHire North Shore Career Center for job placement assistance in these high-demand fields.”
“MassHire North Shore Workforce Board and Career Centers are so thankful and proud to work with Essex Tech on the CTI project,” said Mary Sarris, Executive Director of MassHire North Shore. “This training leads to jobs that are critical to our region’s economy, and provides strong career opportunities for local unemployed or underemployed residents. Essex Tech’s training is the best in the state. Partnering with MassHire’s career coaching and job placement services guarantees employment success for students and quality talent for our companies.”
The school will work with its local employer partners for information on current industry training trends and potential job openings. These partners include F.W. Webb Company, Cranney Home Services, National Mechanical Service, Tremblay Heating, Kelley Automotive Group, Mini of Peabody, Lyon Waugh Auto Group, Groom Construction, Menino Construction, Bilo Plumbing & Heating, and Breen Sullivan Mechanical Services.
CTI is a state initiative to increase job training for students and adults, preparing them for careers in high-demand and high-growth sectors. CTI emphasizes pathways for people from underserved populations and underrepresented groups. Approximately 9,000 to 13,000 additional adult learners statewide are expected to earn industry credentials, opening opportunities for them to obtain jobs in high-demand skilled industries.
These grants will transform vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes, which remain open through the evening to expand enrollment of high school students and adults.
“Working alongside our regional employment board, community colleges, and Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to change the trajectory of these workers,” Superintendent Riccio said. “The Governor has made a commitment to keeping vocational schools open for three shifts.”
The plumbing class has been filled.To register for Free CTI courses for Auto Technician, HVAC or Construction Labor Training, please visit Essex Tech’s NightHawks Adult Education Program site at https://essex-adulted.coursestorm.com/
