FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
781-239-2636
ecooper@massbay.edu
![MassBay Health Sciences students skills training]( "MassBay Health Sciences students skills training")
MassBay Community College CNA students participate in a skills activity during their class on the Framingham campus, Framingham, MA, May 2019 (Photo/MassBay Community College).
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (April 4, 2023) — MassBay Community College’s Office of Corporate Partnerships and Workforce Development was recently awarded state funds to assist eligible students with the cost of taking the following courses for the upcoming summer and fall semesters: Central Processing Technology, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Phlebotomy, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Interpreting, and Behavioral Health Technician. Students who meet the eligibility criteria could receive free tuition and fees in these in-demand healthcare related certificate programs.
People who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, high school graduates (or equivalent), unemployed, underemployed, or receiving any state assistance (SNAP, housing, childcare subsidies, MassHealth, Veterans assistance, or other aid) may be eligible to take these courses for free. Prospective students should complete the Center for Careers and Workforce Intake Form to determine if they qualify for the funds and contact the Office of Corporate Partnerships and Workforce Development at cpwd@massbay.edu for additional information.
“For more than six decades MassBay has been providing the education students of all ages and backgrounds need to fill the jobs of the emergent economy and to embark on sustainable careers,” said MassBay President David Podell. “These funds come at a time when the industries of MetroWest need skilled workers more than ever, so the timing is impeccable. MassBay stands ready to expand the reach of programs for which we are already widely renown, including healthcare.”
Last summer, the state released Education Training Funds (ETF) to all 15 Massachusetts community, intended to create and expand training programs in high-demand industries while helping populations who have traditionally experienced higher rates of unemployment and barriers to employment. The ETF will support the creation and expansion of training programs at community colleges for high-demand industries, identified by regional labor market blueprints including such fields as healthcare, education, manufacturing, information technology, and cybersecurity. MassBay was allocated $735,000 under the program and is dedicating the funds to offer the opportunity for qualified students to earn the credentials they need for a sustainable career in health care.
“MassBay is laser-focused on helping students earn credentials and workforce specific skills to advance their careers in industries that are in-demand in our communities,” said MassBay’s Director of Corporate Partnerships and Workforce Development, Phara Boyer. “We know Massachusetts is a leader in healthcare, and MassBay plays a crucial role in filling the workforce pipeline. These important state funds are an investment in the future workers of MetroWest and will help ensure Massachusetts continues to benefit from highly qualified and well-trained health care workers.”
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.