Lowell – MassHire Greater Lowell is pleased to announce the awarding of two grants aimed at enhancing workforce development in the Healthcare and Behavioral Healthcare industries.
In collaboration with MassHire Merrimack Valley and North Shore Workforce Boards, these grants mark the start of a significant 3-year implementation project for the region.
“This grant provides a significant boost to the Health and Behavioral Health employers in our region”, stated Kevin Coughlin, Executive Director of the MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board. “The need for more training and more employee pathways is a high priority!”
The Healthcare grant is $2.4 million, and the Behavioral Healthcare grant is $2.2 million. Greater Lowell will receive a combined $1.2 million from both grants ($530K for Healthcare and $700K for Behavioral Health). These funds primarily focus on the recruitment and training of job seekers. Funds also provide individualized soft skills and Career Readiness training at the MassHire Career Centers (Lowell, Salem, and Lawrence), enhancing the overall employability of participants.
“This $1.2 million grant is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Lowell to directly improve employment possibilities and enhance recruitment and training over the next 3 years,” said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., “I’m especially thrilled to see that MassHire Greater Lowell will provide placement services and training in conjunction with many of our partner non-profits, which will have great long-term employment benefits for residents within the Greater Lowell region.”
MassHire Greater Lowell will provide training and placement services to prepare 115 unemployed and underemployed and incumbent worker participants over the three-year grant. They will partner with The Bridge Club, Lowell House, Trinity Care Associates, Lowell Community Health Center, Tufts Medicine and Lowell General Hospital, Vinfen, International Institute of New England, PrideStar Trinity EMS, Centerboard, and Link House.
“As the healthcare industry faces significant challenges recruiting and retaining talent following the pandemic, partnerships like this provide a great opportunity to strengthen training offerings in our community and support the continued education and development of our dedicated workforce,” said Tracey Meek, Vice President of Community Hospitals, Human Resources, Tufts Medicine.
As the project progresses into years two and three, MassHire anticipates a substantial increase in participants through additional employers and training providers.
This project is funded by the Healthcare/Behavioral Health Hub Continuation Grant (Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund FY’21 Appropriation) and funds appropriated through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. This grant initiative is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Workforce Skills Cabinet.
