ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie is pleased to share that the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded Greater Lawrence Tech $375,000 to support access to career pathway training for local residents from underserved populations with a focus on those impacted by COVID-19.
The grants are part of the administration’s Career Technical Initiative (CTI), launched at GLTS in January 2020, which aims to upskill students and adults for careers in high demand, high growth sectors while also meeting the needs of businesses across the Commonwealth. Greater Lawrence Tech is receiving $375,000 as part of this latest allocation of grant funding through the initiative, which will support the offering of training and placement services to unemployed and underemployed Merrimack Valley adults for careers as Biotech Lab Technicians, Carpenters, Electricians, HVAC Technicians, and Plumbers.
“We are deeply thankful that the Baker-Polito Administration has continued to support the expanding of our programs so that additional adult students can get the education, training, experience and support they need to get jobs in growing industries that pay a living wage,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “We are proud to be able to continue offering these programs and expanding them, and look forward to welcoming more students as a direct result of these funds.”
Greater Lawrence Tech is also partnering through the grant with the MassHire Merrimac Valley Career Center and Workforce Board, as well as the following employer partners: Jones General Contractors, Ginkgo Bioworks, All-Pro Electricians, Capeless Plumbing & Heating, Marceau Construction Corp., CentiMark Corporation, National Mechanical Service Inc., Central Colling & Heating Inc., Correct Temp HVAC, and Millipore Sigma.
“As we vaccinate our residents and reopen our economy, our Administration remains focused on supporting businesses and workers to power our recovery, and the Career Technical Initiative will be a crucial part of that effort,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration was committed to expanding these training opportunities for students and adults across the Commonwealth before the pandemic, and now this initiative takes on added importance as a crucial tool to connect people with new job opportunities and meet the needs of our employers.”
Greater Lawrence Tech was the first CTE school in the state to realize the Career Technical Initiative aim of making more career training opportunities available for students and adults by operating three teaching shifts a day. The GLTS “After Dark” Program was piloted during the 2018-2019 school year, enrolling Lawrence High School Students to receive a CTE education after regular school hours. Greater Lawrence Tech has sustained and expanded the After Dark Program thanks to continued support from the Baker-Polito Administration.
The Baker-Polito Administration announced the allocation of $2.1 million in CTI grants to be divided among 10 CTE schools statewide on Thursday at Essex Tech.
Other career and technical education schools awarded grant funding include Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Southeastern Regional School District, Greater Fall River Vocational School District and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.
For the latest updates about Greater Lawrence Tech, visit the school’s website here. To learn more about adult education at Greater Lawrence Tech, click here.
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