July 13, 2021
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
The Workforce Training Fund Program Awards More than $8 Million in Grants to Train 4,319 Employees
BOSTON, MA — The Baker-Polito administration announced today that more than $8 million will be awarded in Workforce Training Fund Program grants to train 4,319 employees from 99 Massachusetts employers. These grants are expected to result in the creation of 944 additional jobs by 2023.
The Workforce Training Fund is a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education, and workforce organizations. Since the beginning of the Baker-Polito Administration, the Workforce Training Fund has awarded more than $122 million to train more than 95,000 workers from over 4,000 Massachusetts businesses.
For more information about all available funding from the Workforce Training Fund Program, please visit workforcetrainingfund.org.
“As always, Massachusetts will continue to invest in a skilled and well-trained workforce. These grants give workers and businesses the opportunity to expand in various industries” says Secretary Roslin Acosta. “We see the need to continue upskilling and that is EOWLD’s focus”.
A wide variety of companies received funding. Grant recipients range from large multinational firms such as Rolls-Royce Marine North America, who received $191,371 to train 67 Massachusetts workers to use new equipment and software, to small firms such as Autobody Repair and Paint in Hudson, MA.
“We are honored to receive the Workforce Training Fund grant and are excited by what this means to our internal staff as well as to the biotech ecosystem.” said Johannes Fruehauf, Founder & CEO of Biolabs. “BioLabs fosters the growth of life science companies around the US, so the grant will have an amplifying effect on the entire industry.”
Commonwealth Corporation reports that small business participation has increased to pre-pandemic levels since the fourth quarter of FY 2020 and is expected to reach record levels through FY22. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, small businesses continue to struggle, and minority and women entrepreneurs have been adversely affected disproportionately.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Commonwealth. They are facing immense challenges to their survival and need all the help they can get.” said Governor Charlie Baker. He continued, “It’s critical that the Commonwealth supports these companies and their workers in every way possible. More than three quarters of the grants we’re announcing today went to train employees of small businesses.”
In addition to the General Program grants announced today, the Workforce Training Fund has responded to the community needs by providing an improved Express Program with grants to businesses to train their employees. It is designed to help businesses respond quickly to change and keep employees engaged. It has no waiting periods between grants and a flexible directory of training options.
Grant recipients with more than 100 employees may receive a reimbursement of as much as half the total cost of training, up to $3,000 per person, per course. However, beginning in July 2021, grant recipients with 100 or fewer employees may receive full reimbursement of the cost of training, up to $3,000 person, per course.
“Now is a great time to apply for a grant. Each month we plan to award over $1 million in new grants” said Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito. “As the Commonwealth continues to rebound from the impact of the pandemic, employers should make use of this critical resource for recovery.” She continued “visit Workforcetrainingfund.org to learn more about available grants and to sign-up for a virtual info session.”
The following is a complete list of the grants announced today (listed by community):
Agawam
Belt Technologies was awarded $45,600 to train 24 workers; 2 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Andover
ath Power Consulting Corporation was awarded $33,600 to train 6 workers; 8 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Auburn
MassMEP was awarded $240,000 to train 49 workers; 77 additional jobs are expected by 2023. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which also includes Apex Resource Technology of Pittsfield, Columbia Manufacturing of Westfield, ISlide of Boston, Markforged of Watertown, Polymer Corporation of Palmer, Swissturn USA of Oxford, Aimtek of Auburn, Atech Turbine Components of Auburn, CPS Technologies Corp. of Norton, Mark Richey Woodworking & Design of Newburyport, New England Die Cutting of Methuen, Precise Turning and Manufacturing Company of Agawam, Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. of Fitchburg, Seekonk Manufacturing Company of Seekonk, Silverside Detectors of Waltham, and TrueBounce of New Bedford.
MassMEP was awarded $23,800 to train 14 workers; 8 additional jobs are expected by 2023. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which also includes AOTCO Metal Finishing of Billerica, Davico Manufacturing of New Bedford, Green Brothers Fabrication of Taunton, Landmark Finish of Andover, and United Solutions of Leominster.
MassMEP was awarded $44,825 to train 32 workers; 9 additional jobs are expected by 2023. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which also includes Emerson Swan of Randolph, F H Peterson Machine Corp. of Stoughton, Flexcon Industries of Randolph, Organomation of Berlin, and Twin Rivers Technologies of Quincy.
MassMEP was awarded $28,000 to train 18 workers; 14 additional jobs are expected by 2023. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which also includes Flexo Concepts of Plymouth, CPI Radant Technologies Division of Stow, Decas Cranberry Products of Carver, Donahue Industries of Shrewsbury, Mide Technology of Woburn, and OFS Fitel of Sturbridge.
Bedford
Dale Engineering & Son, Inc. was awarded $27,500 to train 8 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Bellingham
Wrentham Tool Group, Inc. was awarded $87,375 to train 51 workers; 9 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Billerica
Boyle Transportation was awarded $71,400 to train 7 workers; 6 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Boston
Bruner/Cott Architects was awarded $66,940 to train 26 workers by 2023.
BSC Group, Inc. was awarded $249,660 to train 112 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Guardian Healthcare was awarded $249,390 to train 285 workers; 30 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Salsify, Inc. was awarded $156,550 to train 291 workers; 100 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Braintree
Invoice Cloud was awarded $178,350 to train 123 workers; 167 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Ultra Maritime, Naval Systems and Sensors was awarded $67,200 to train 21 workers; 23 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Burlington
CIRCOR was awarded $78,050 to train 50 workers; 2 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Cambridge
BioInnovation Labs was awarded $102,000 to train 27 workers; 20 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
New England Naturals was awarded $46,160 to train 27 workers; 5 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Solid Biosciences, Inc. was awarded $242,900 to train 67 workers; 50 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Chelmsford
VJ Electronix was awarded $213,150 to train 32 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Chicopee
National Vinyl was awarded $232,500 to train 62 workers; 12 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Dudley
Henke Sass Wolf of America, Inc. was awarded $243,118 to train 53 workers; 17 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
East Walpole
Hollingsworth and Vose Co. was awarded $217,700 to train 117 workers by 2023.
Easthampton
Rock Valley Tool was awarded $99,780 to train 35 workers; 1 additional job is expected by 2023.
Fall River
Ramsbottom Printing, Inc. was awarded $61,600 to train 18 workers; 1 additional job is expected by 2023.
Fitchburg
Micron Products was awarded $247,800 to train 111 workers; 15 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Franklin
Cold Chain Technologies was awarded $147,400 to train 68 workers; 15 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Gloucester
GAP Promo was awarded $40,000 to train 15 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Haverhill
Joseph’s Gourmet Pasta Company was awarded $205,960 to train 104 workers; 5 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Morgan Scientific, Inc. was awarded $125,511 to train 17 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Holliston
Colantonio, Inc. was awarded $96,640 to train 33 workers; 6 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Iwaki America was awarded $184,800 to train 83 workers; 6 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Holyoke
PeoplesBank was awarded $202,163 to train 292 workers; 23 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Hudson
Autobody Repair and Paint was awarded $83,000 to train 17 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Hyannis
Cape Air / Nantucket Airlines was awarded $248,325 to train 312 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Lowell
Precise Industries, Inc. was awarded $52,800 to train 26 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Lynn
Gregg Neighborhood House was awarded $142,440 to train 83 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Lynnfield
The Procopio Companies was awarded $36,359 to train 26 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Malden
B-C-D Metal Products, Inc. was awarded $82,550 to train 20 workers by 2023.
Mattapoisett
Brownell Boat Stands was awarded $29,700 to train 16 workers; 2 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Medway
MicroGroup was awarded $47,450 to train 35 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
North Attleboro
Star Engineering, Inc. was awarded $74,760 to train 40 workers; 5 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
North Reading
Columbia Construction Company was awarded $232,050 to train 177 workers; 21 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Norton
CPS Technologies Corp. was awarded $186,651 to train 74 workers; 8 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Norwood
Manufacturing Resource Group was awarded $99,200 to train 76 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Orleans
Training Wheels of NE, Inc. was awarded $28,250 to train 30 workers; 12 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Palmer
Adaptas Solutions was awarded $90,000 to train 93 workers; 12 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Peabody
Zeiss was awarded $229,800 to train 50 workers by 2023.
Pembroke
Duromar, Inc. was awarded $44,900 to train 10 workers; 1 additional job is expected by 2023.
Quincy
QCARE was awarded $38,595 to train 31 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Shirley
Burkart-Phelan, Inc. was awarded $172,500 to train 19 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Somerville
Built Environment Plus was awarded $203,105 to train 351 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which also includes Bard Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers of Boston, DiMella Shaffer of Boston, and Leers Weinzapfel Associates of Boston.
Taza Chocolate was awarded $93,100 to train 58 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
South Deerfield
Pelican Products was awarded $217,425 to train 105 workers; 75 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Springfield
Advance Welding was awarded $70,040 to train 13 workers; 1 additional job is expected by 2023.
M. L. Schmitt, Inc. was awarded $249,970 to train 31 workers; 25 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Uxbridge
Precision Engineering, Inc. was awarded $66,400 to train 30 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Wakefield
CAST, Inc. was awarded $82,600 to train 52 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Walpole
Rolls-Royce Marine North America, Inc. was awarded $191,371 to train 67 workers; 20 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Westborough
The Patriot Financial Group was awarded $53,200 to train 6 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Westfield
Peerless Precision, Inc. was awarded $118,000 to train 28 workers; 2 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Woburn
Custom Machine was awarded $79,335 to train 17 workers by 2023.
LGA was awarded $124,950 to train 60 workers; 10 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
RL Controls was awarded $130,200 to train 42 workers; 8 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Roscid Technologies, Inc. was awarded $40,300 to train 5 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Shear Color Printing, Inc. was awarded $11,000 to train 8 workers; 3 additional jobs are expected by 2023.
Worcester
General Wire Products was awarded $47,200 to train 33 workers; 4 additional jobs are expected by 2023.