Press Release: 5/1/2026
Governor Healey Announces $70 Million to Expand Career Technical Education at 28 Schools, Add 2,500 Seats
MARLBOROUGH — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today it has awarded more than $70 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants to 28 high schools and career technical schools across Massachusetts. This multi-year investment will significantly expand access to hands-on learning opportunities and help meet the growing demand for career-connected education statewide.
The funding will create up to 2,500 new CTE seats by expanding 23 career tech programs, launching 27 new CTE programs and upgrading equipment, technology and lab spaces across participating schools.
Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Steve Zrike and Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez made the announcement today at Assabet Valley Vocational High School in Marlborough, which is receiving $3.75 million to develop two new CTE programs: public safety and veterinary science. The public safety program will prepare students for essential roles in community protection and emergency response, including through access to a mock dispatch center and forensics lab, partnerships with municipal fire and EMS departments for internships and work-based learning, and articulation with community colleges leading to public safety degrees and certifications. The veterinary science program will prepare students for entry-level roles in animal care and veterinary services, including through access to examination tables and grooming tools and certifications for Veterinary CPR and Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA).
“Across Massachusetts, we’re hearing from students and families who want access to career technical education. That’s why we’re making a $70 million investment to expand programs, create new seats and modernize training facilities so more students can get the skills they need and step into strong, in-demand careers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This investment will expand capacity, create new opportunities and ensure more students can gain the skills they need to succeed, while strengthening our workforce and supporting employers across the state.”
“These investments will help connect more students to the skills and training that employers across Massachusetts are looking for right now,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By expanding access to career technical education, we’re strengthening our workforce pipeline and creating more opportunities for students to step directly into in-demand careers.”
This investment builds on the Administration’s broader efforts to expand access to career-connected learning and strengthen Massachusetts’ workforce pipeline. Last month, the administration announced it was accepting applications for $15 million in capital grants to help school districts to expand and modernize career technical education (CTE) programs at comprehensive high schools. These CTE Capital Annex Pilot grants will add an estimated 400-600 additional CTE seats across Massachusetts.
“This investment is about meeting students where they are and preparing them for where the economy is going,” said Secretary Zrike. “By making this investment, we’re creating more seats, modernizing equipment and facilities, and ensuring more students can access high-quality, career-connected learning.”
“Career technical education is a valuable resource in building Massachusetts’ talent, opening more opportunities for students and adult learners,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “These grants, in tandem with the Workforce Skills Cabinet’s Career Technical Initiative, will enhance equipment within our schools and, in turn, increase hands-on learning and programming to pave the way for future workers and current jobseekers ready to gain meaningful skills and employment in Massachusetts.”
As part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, CTE programs equip students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through development of innovative, applied learning opportunities that align with current industry needs and provide students with high quality learning experiences that enable them to see and understand cleared pathways to careers and continued education.
"These investments highlight this administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for career technical education across school settings,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “CTE programs are a great opportunity for students to earn industry-recognized credentials before they've even graduated from high school."
CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at dedicated CTE schools and at some traditional high schools. Further, CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark,” expand access by offering CTE programs outside of the traditional school day. CTE programs also support adult learners, particularly unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative (CTI).
"Here at Assabet and amongst CTE Schools across the Commonwealth, we see every day how rigorous academics, paired with high-quality career and technical education, prepare students not just for graduation but also for more than 1,800 hours of experiential learning geared toward achieving meaningful careers and lifelong success. This grant expands capacity, modernizes programs, and ensures more students can access career and technical pathways aligned to workforce demand—from advanced manufacturing and health sciences to information technology and skilled trades. This $3.75M grant will allow Assabet to add 160 additional seats over the next five years and two new technical programs, including veterinary science and public safety," said Assabet Superintendent-Director Ernest Houle. "Today’s announcement is more than just about funding—it is a strategic investment in talent development, economic competitiveness, and improving access. We are extremely grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our legislators for investing in tomorrow's workforce today!"
“CTE expansion is about access and opportunity for our students and our community. By strengthening CTE pathways, we are not only preparing high school students for in-demand careers but also creating accessible, flexible opportunities for adult learners to reskill, upskill, and advance in today’s workforce,” said Christine D. Jardin-Gauthier, Director of Assebet Community Education. “It's been exciting to elevate the importance of this work, and even more meaningful to do so with the support of Governor Healey, whose commitment to workforce development and CTE education is making this expansion possible.”
Over the past three years, the administration has approved 49 new CTE programs, supporting 2,334 additional students. Also, Governor Healey’s BRIGHT Act includes $100 million for Skills Capital grants that help high schools, colleges and educational institutions upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and increase the capacity of workforce training programs. These efforts build on expansions the administration has made to Early College programs, Innovation Career Pathways, work-based learning opportunities and My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP).
Capital Grant recipients:
- Assabet Valley Vocational High School in Marlborough: $3,750,000
- Boston Madison Park Technical Vocational High School: $924,515
- Bristol-Plymouth Regional Vocational Technical in Taunton: $1,500,000
- Chicopee Comprehensive High School in Chicopee: $3,500,000
- Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in North Dighton: $1,500,000
- Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical in Tyngsborough: $2,500,000
- Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical: $3,750,000
- Holyoke Dean Tech High School: $1,250,000
- Leicester High School: $3,000,000
- Leominster Center of Tech Education: $1,027,700
- Lower Pioneer Valley CTEC in West Springfield: $3,750,000
- Lynn Vocational Technical High: $2,000,000
- Martha's Vineyard Regional High: $2,000,000
- Medford High School: $1,750,000
- Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford: $3,250,000
- New Bedford High School: $1,750,000
- Newton South High School: $1,415,833
- Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole: $3,500,000
- Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical in Wakefield: $3,750,000
- Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical in Rochester: $2,000,000
- Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical in Palmer: $3,500,000
- Taconic High School in Pittsfield: $4,000,000
- Salem High School: $3,750,000
- South Shore Regional Vocational Technical in Hanover: $2,250,000
- Taunton High School: $1,100,000
- Tri-County Regional Vocational in Franklin: $2,000,000
- Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical in Bourne: $2,000,000
- Worcester Technical High: $3,750,000
Statements of Support
Steven C. Sharek, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA):
“The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators applauds the Administration, the House, and the Senate for their continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality vocational technical and agricultural education across the Commonwealth. Demand for our schools and programs has never been higher, as more students and families recognize the value of immersive, hands-on, career-connected learning and the direct opportunities these programs create into in-demand industries. These expansion grants represent an important first step toward addressing that growing need while strengthening our workforce pipeline and supporting economic growth statewide. We look forward to continuing our partnership with state leaders to build on this momentum and ensure that every student who seeks a vocational technical and agricultural education has the opportunity to pursue one.”
Dr. Mary M. Bourque, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.):
“On behalf of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, we support the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s continued focus on expanding career and technical education opportunities for students across the Commonwealth. Investments that strengthen high-quality, hands-on learning experiences and connect students to high-demand career pathways are essential to preparing today’s learners for tomorrow’s workforce. We look forward to learning more about this initiative and partnering to ensure its successful implementation for all districts and students.”
Jessica Tang, President, American Federation of Teachers:
"Vocational schools, like Assabet Valley, and workforce pathway programs in our traditional high schools provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, creating multiple options for success after graduation—whether they decide to enter the workforce or continue their education. We are proud to represent vocational educators and staff in districts throughout the state, including a number of schools directly impacted by today's investments. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is, once again, showing its commitment to expanding access to engaging, transformational learning opportunities for our kids, opening the door to economic opportunity for hundreds of additional students every year."
Lew Finfer, Director and Community Organizer, Massachusetts Action for Justice:
“We thank Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Members of the Legislature, and DESE Commissioner Martinez for their leadership in passing Career and Technical Education grants to upgrade equipment and add to facilities to enable more students to have seats in vocational technical high schools and in vocational courses at comprehensive high schools. We have been glad that the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education (AVTE) and the Vocational Education Justice Coalition (VEJC) could work with you on funding for this program for many years.”
Rainer Haarbusch, Director, Commonwealth Corporation Career Technical Initiative (CTI):
“This major investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration will create more opportunities for young people and adult learners across Massachusetts to access high-quality, hands-on career technical education and training for in-demand careers. Through the work of the Career Technical Initiative, we see every day how transformative access to industry-aligned training can be for individuals, families, and employers. We are excited to see this investment further strengthen Massachusetts’ talent pipeline and help meet the workforce needs of employers across the Commonwealth.”
Traci Griffith, Director, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts Racial Justice Program:
“This investment expands high-quality, career-connected learning opportunities for students in many historically underserved communities in the Commonwealth. It provides access to modern labs, equipment, and pathways to good-paying jobs, providing upward economic mobility through expanded educational opportunities.”