Governor Announces New Collaboration to Support Clean Energy Workforce Training

11:04AM / Sunday, October 27, 2024Print Story | Email Story

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.?— The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated a new collaboration with the state's Workforce Skills Cabinet, Commonwealth Corporation Foundation and the GE Vernova Foundation, awarding $600,000 in grant funding for programs within the Career Technical Initiative (CTI) dedicated to training and preparing the clean energy workforce in Massachusetts.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Economic Development Undersecretary Sarah Stanton, and Senate President Karen Spilka made this announcement with the GE Vernova Foundation at the Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham as part of Massachusetts STEM Week. The grant funding will upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces for schools and institutions in the CTI program focused on job training in solar, wind, or heat pump installation and maintenance.

"The clean energy sector presents enormous opportunities for Massachusetts' economy and workforce – but we need tens of thousands more skilled workers to meet this moment," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration is proud to partner with the business community to support schools with purchasing modernized equipment to ensure students are trained with the skills are in demand in today's clean energy economy."

The Commonwealth Corporation Foundation secured funding for the grants through a $300,000 award from the GE Vernova Foundation, with $300,000 in matching funds committed from the Workforce Skills Cabinet, which includes the Executive Offices of Labor and Workforce Development, Education, Economic Development, and Health and Human Services. The Commonwealth Corporation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, works to bridge resource gaps to target unmet needs in workforce development and by empowering workers and employers in Massachusetts through strategic partnerships with the business community, organized events, and grant-making.

This grant funding will help CTI programs by providing training equipment and allowing those programs to choose their equipment based on the needs and demands of the employers in the region. Additionally, the equipment will allow for professional development training for both CTI and Career and Technical Education school staff. CTI transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run three shifts a day for skill-building programs, providing adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers.

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State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail

03:03PM / Saturday, October 17, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.

The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.

The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.

"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."

The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.

"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."

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