Students in Essex Tech’s NightHawks program speak with a prospective employer at a employer meet and greet on campus in June. NightHawks students earn industry certifications/credentials, and receive career placement assistance that will help them obtain stable jobs that pay a living wage. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech) 
Automotive Instructor Lew Beckwith presents a lesson to NightHawks students in the Automotive Shop at Essex Tech. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)
DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded Essex Tech a $360,000 Career Technical Initiative grant to train people who are ready to enter the workforce or advance in their careers.
The school will use the grant to train unemployed or underemployed adults through the NightHawks Adult Education Program. Twelve students will be trained in each of the following disciplines: Automotive Service Technician, Carpenter, Construction Craft Laborer, HVAC Technician, Plumbing Tier 1, Electronic Technician and Bio-Lab Technician.
Successful participants will earn industry certifications/credentials, and receive career placement assistance that will help them obtain stable jobs that pay a living wage.
“We are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for once again recognizing the need to increase the pool of highly-skilled workers on the North Shore, and Essex Tech’s track record in preparing those workers for future success,” Superintendent Riccio said.
Essex Tech will partner with MassHire North Shore Career Center on this initiative.
“We are excited to work in partnership with the MassHire North Shore Career Center to support the participants in this program. Our regional employers are in need of workers with strong technical skills and industry credentials,” said Bonnie Carr, Director of Workforce Development at Essex Tech.
“We are so thankful to the Commonwealth and the Baker Administration for making these funds available. And we’re proud to partner once again with Essex Tech in carrying out these wonderful training programs,” said Mary Sarris, Executive Director of the North Shore Workforce Board.
The school will also work with its local employer partners to develop information on current industry training trends and potential job openings. Those partners include: Cranney Home Services, Tremblay Heating, National Mechanical Services, Inc., Breen and Sullivan, Bilo Plumbing and Heating, Kelly Automotive, Lyon-Waugh Auto Group Mini of Peabody, Local 22 Laborers’ Union, Groom Construction, Meninno Construction, Cotter Brothers Corporation, Krohne, Inc., Salem Metals, Star Construction Company and Gilbane Building Company
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. From 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.
All courses will be taught in the fall. Registration opens on Aug. 1. To register for free CTI courses under this grant, please visit Essex Tech’s NightHawks Adult Education Program site at https://essex-adulted.coursestorm.com/