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Massachusetts awards $70 million today to expand career and technical education; Assabet Valley gets $3.75M
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Summary
Governor Healy announced a $100 million CTE expansion, with $70 million awarded today to 28 schools; Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School will receive $3,750,000 to add public safety and veterinary science programs and create new student seats.
Governor Healy announced that the administration is making available $100,000,000 to expand career and technical education across Massachusetts and that $70,000,000 of that total is being distributed today to 28 schools statewide.
At an event at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, the governor said the funding is intended to expand access to high-demand, high-skill programs and help align classroom training with employer needs. “We’re making available a $100,000,000. $70,000,000 is going out today to expand the kinds of programming so that more students like you superstars can have the experience of career technical education all around Massachusetts,” the governor said.
Officials gave specific award examples. The governor said Assabet Valley will receive $3,750,000 to serve more students and expand veterinary science; Chicopee Comprehensive High School was listed for approximately $3,500,000 for HVAC and plumbing programs, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School for about $2,000,000 to expand welding and metal fabrication, New Bedford High about $1,750,000 for early education and child care, and Pittsfield Taconic High School about $4,000,000 for plumbing. The governor summarized the administration’s intention as a statewide, equitable expansion: “Every part of our state, kids should have the benefit of access to great career technical education, and that’s what we’re doing today.”
Steve Zweig, introduced by the governor as the secretary of education, described the investment as a multiyear commitment that will create seats and new programs. “This is a multiyear commitment. It’s not just about today,” Zweig said, adding that the initiative aims to create up to 2,500 new CTE seats, expand 23 career tech programs, and seed the launch of 27 new programs in regional vocational and comprehensive high schools. He said the Assabet award will support two programs — public safety and veterinary science — and help schools upgrade equipment, labs and certifications.
Assabet Valley superintendent Ernest Houle welcomed officials and said the grant strengthens pathways to “high demand, high skill careers across the Commonwealth.” A student speaker, Alyssa Silva, a senior in Assabet’s plumbing program, described how cooperative education and hands-on classes have prepared her for employment: “Because of Assabet, I feel confident and prepared to join the workforce,” Silva said, noting she plans to continue working for GNL Plumbing while pursuing licensure.
Governor Healy also used the visit to proclaim Apprenticeship Week in the Commonwealth and to tie the administration’s education investments to broader workforce and housing goals. Officials said the awards will allow schools to reduce wait lists for popular CTE programs by expanding capacity and updating technology and training spaces.
No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event; officials presented the awards and took questions from the media before concluding with photos and gifts. The administration described the funding as part of a larger strategy to strengthen career pathways and meet employer demand across Massachusetts.
