Local groups receive climate workforce grants through MassCEC
LOWELL — More than 60 organizations across the state were awarded grant funding by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center last month from a pool of $27 million to bolster clean energy job training.
Gov. Maura Healey announced the funding at the Greater Lawrence Technical High School in Andover Nov. 21.
“This funding will give thousands of residents the training and support they need to start good-paying careers in these cutting-edge industries,” said Healey. “It’s an investment in our people and in the long-term strength of our economy.”
The grant funding is meant to support training programs, career awareness initiatives and business development efforts for more than 13,000 people and hundreds of businesses across Massachusetts over the next three years.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said the funding will give “communities across Massachusetts the support they need to help residents build new skills, explore new interests, and find real opportunities in this burgeoning industry.”
“It will strengthen local training programs and create clear pathways to meaningful careers that strengthen our communities and our state’s economy,” said Driscoll.
The $27 million was distributed to 67 organizations operating six types of programs: equity workforce training implementation, climate-critical workforce training, equipment, and infrastructure, climate-critical underrepresented business support, equity workforce planning and capacity, student and young adult career awareness and training, and the Massachusetts Climate Career Fund.
Two of the grant recipients operate out of Lowell, both of which were awarded for the student and young adult career awareness and training category. The MassHire Lowell Young Adult Career Center will receive $150,000 to build up capacity and support the further development of its Clean Energy Career Exploration Program. That program is aimed at providing young adults with hands-on exposure to possible career paths in the clean energy sector, in collaboration with Interplay Learning.
Project Learn, a Lowell-based nonprofit, will receive $50,000 in grant funding for the planning and design of the pilot for its Renewable Futures Lab, a planned hands-on summer course for youth in Lowell to prepare for careers in the clean energy sector.
Another organization, Building Mass Careers, is also receiving $50,000 under the Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity category to create a pre-apprenticeship program to serve low-income individuals in underrepresented communities in Greater Lowell and the Metro North regions.
The Heart of New England Council for Scouting America will also receive funding through this round, with $40,000 going to the group to incorporate “clean energy and climate-critical career exploration through merit badge pathways,” by working with the school districts in Fitchburg, Leominster and Worcester.
The aim, MassCEC said in a statement Nov. 21, is to “help expand training and upskilling opportunities for residents, provide hands-on career exposure for students and young adults, fund equipment and facility upgrades that strengthen training programs, and increase support for underrepresented businesses in the clean energy sector.”
“With over 115,000 clean energy workers in Massachusetts, we need to expand opportunities to support a strong, skilled workforce for the future,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These programs connect residents with hands-on experience, industry partnerships, and real pathways to jobs that are in demand.”
MassCEC Interim CEO Dr. Jennifer Le Blond said the funding, and the job training it supports, will go on to help “lower energy costs, protect communities, and improve quality of life.”
“These 67 organizations, ranging from technical schools to unions, are growing a diverse pipeline of talent and setting workers on the path to successful, sustainable careers. This is what equitable workforce development looks like — creating access, opportunity, and investment,” said Le Blond.