Left to right: Gov. Charlie Baker, MassBay Faculty Tony Sena, Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta, MassBay Dean of STEM Chitra Javdekar and MassBay Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Lynn Hunter.
WELLESLEY HILLS, MA (October, 2017) — MassBay Community College is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $500,000 Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant by the Baker-Polito Administration to support and upgrade equipment for the Cyber Security and Biotechnology laboratories. The $9.5 Million Skills Capital grant funds will assist 32 high schools, community colleges and educational institutions in the Commonwealth to purchase equipment, modernize operations, and boost enrollment capacity in career training programs throughout Massachusetts.
MassBay will use the Skills Capital Grant to purchase advanced cybersecurity and biotechnology equipment and to prepare students for careers in these high-demand fields by preparing them for industry standard certifications, and teaching advanced laboratory skills. MassBay offers two cyber security certificate programs, a new degree program Associate of Science in Cyber Security, and Associate of Science in Biotechnology. Students in the Cyber Security/IT programs will be prepared for industry standard certifications such as Network+, CompTIA+, MassBay will also develop “on-the-go” labs to teach advanced concepts in Internet of Things (IoT), mobile and device security. The new biotechnology equipment will enable students to learn advanced laboratory protocols and conduct advanced analysis for biopharmaceutical and other applications.
“These Skills Capital Grants will help boost our economy and equip students with new skills, knowledge and experience with state-of-the-art equipment across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to continuing our work with these 32 institutions and previous awardees to enhance their programs and develop a skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of the Commonwealth.”
“In order to maintain our skilled workforce, we want to ensure our high schools, colleges, and other educational programs have the ability to train students on the latest equipment that meets current industry standards so when they are ready to enter the workforce, they have the knowledge and best possible training to get a job,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The awards we are funding today will help open up new economic opportunities, from the Berkshires to the South Coast and Merrimack Valley.”
"MassBay is honored and thrilled to receive the Skills Capital Grant from the Governor and members of his Cabinet,” said MassBay President Dr. David Podell. “This significant grant will provide our cybersecurity and biotechnology students the opportunity to learn using cutting-edge equipment and help them prepare for work in rapidly evolving, high demand fields. We are excited that this investment in MassBay’s STEM programs will help us to better meet critical workforce needs of the Commonwealth."
This is the second Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant awarded to MassBay this year. In March 2017 MassBay was awarded $318,547 to provide support to our Health Science Division by purchasing much needed simulation mannequins; the STEM Division through the purchase of state-of-the-art electrical engineering equipment; and the Automotive Technology Center with the purchase of a Dynanometer that allows students to safely measure the power output of car engines.
The 2016 Massachusetts Economic Development Bill established three years of funding for the Workforce Skills Cabinet to administer the Skills Capital Grant Program. The program’s intent is to increase the capacity and quality of vocational training and education by providing funds to eligible schools and institutions for the purchase/installation of equipment that would support vocational/technical training, upgrades and expansion of career technical education, and training of high-quality career pathway programs that align with regional economic and workforce development priorities for in-demand industries.
MassBay Community College was recently ranked by the Brookings Institution as one of the top schools for value added and earned salaries in the workforce. Ranked #1 for 2-year colleges in Massachusetts, #2 in New England and ranked #16 nationally. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.