Franklin County Technical School has been awarded a $2,2219,375 grant to provide free training to 216 adults in the school's Career Technical Institute (CTI) program.
The grant will fund the tuition-free nighttime Automobile Technology, Building Maintenance, Carpentry, Electrical, Horticulture, Plumbing, and Welding programs. The Healey-Driscoll Administration, along with the Commonwealth Corporation, has awarded $24.2 million in CTI Grants to 23 organizations statewide for careers in high-demand occupations the trades, construction and manufacturing across the state.
Career and Technical Education Director Margaret Nugent said the funding for FCTS isn't just about individual success; it's a strategic investment in the economic health of the entire region. She added that the CTI program's focus on high-demand occupations ensures that graduates are ready to step into jobs where there's a significant need for skilled workers.
"The grant requires the school to partner with local employers to align with industry needs and is a natural extension of Franklin County Tech's core mission as a Chapter 74-approved vocational-technical school," Nugent said. "This partnership creates a direct pipeline of skilled, credentialed workers, helping local businesses thrive and boosting the regional economy. The funding doesn't require Franklin County Tech to create new programs from scratch but rather to leverage its existing infrastructure and expertise to serve a new population: adults."
Nugent credited the leadership and vision of Franklin County Tech's Adult Education Coordinator Justin Lawrence for making adult education a major success, saying "the program is certain to grow and change lives." Lawrence wrote the successful grant application with some input from Nugent.
Lawrence said the funding will be used over the next two years, running through August 2027, and will cover all costs associated with the program, including teacher salaries, supplies, consumables and student safety gear. Graduates of the tuition-free programs will also receive the tools they need to get started in their careers and a computer.
"These programs are the bread and butter of the adult education program here at our school," Lawrence said. "The spirit of the grant is to assist unemployed and underemployed adults to find pathways to good paying jobs. The long-term goal is to break the cycle of poverty. Offering the opportunity to increase their income is life-changing for some of our students."
The CTI grant program partners with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The administration also awarded a planning grant to an organization to prepare and design future training.
“The CTI program opens doors for adult learners by providing the hands-on training they need to step into high-demand careers in construction, the trades and manufacturing,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With some of the best public Career Technical Education schools in the country and strong employer partnerships, Massachusetts is positioned to prepare our residents for rewarding, lifelong careers.”
FCTS Superintendent Richard Martin said the workforce training programs are consistent with the mission of the school. He credits the state with offering the funding to these vital educational programs.
“We’re extremely pleased that the Commonwealth has continued to put forward these competitive grants to all underemployed and unemployed adults in Franklin County so that they have the opportunity to earn a livable wage,” Martin said.
Local businesses that will partner with the program are Ames Electrical Consulting, National Grid, Crocker Electrical Services, Indie Automotive, Harrison Diesel Solutions, Cherry Rum Automotive, Built for the East Off Road, Grass Roots Landscaping LLC, Pioneer Gardens Inc., Snow & Sons Landscaping, Sugarloaf Gardens, Champion Tree and Lawn Care, Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Doyle Properties, Ironworkers Local 7, Winchester Precision Technologies, SMART Local #63 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center, Sheet Metal Workers Local 63, Sandri Energy, Mike Woodard Plumbing, Carpenters Local 336 North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Mowry & Schmidt Inc., Fine Line Builders, Neal Leno Carpentry, Ron Grogan Homebuilder, and Salmon Falls Builders.
Lawrence said the industry partners will perform a number of roles, including offering feedback to the program’s curriculum, as guest speakers, conduct practice job interviews with students, and notifications of job openings.
“The Commonwealth Corporation looks for local employers who can confirm that there’s a need for a workforce in their industries,” Lawrence said.
Franklin County Tech’s CTI program has also hired Beverly Behrmann as a fulltime program assistant. Some of her duties will be to offer students assistance with the admissions process and engaging with employee partners.