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Northern Essex Community College will receive $147,258 as part of a statewide initiative to create workforce training programs for adults looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they are awarding a total of $1.5 million in grants across 13 of the state’s community colleges.

The grants, which are part of the Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) program, will prepare Massachusetts residents for careers in fields such as education, health care, addiction recovery, cyber security, and manufacturing. It’s estimated that the grants will provide free career training to more than 500 adult learners at Massachusetts community colleges. At Northern Essex, the funding will be used to support the Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs.

“Everywhere I go, I see the difference our investments in education are making — people earning degrees and credentials, launching new careers, increasing their earnings and strengthening their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Free community college has opened doors for thousands of students, and these TRAIN grants will open even more by helping adult learners gain the STEM and workforce skills that power our economy. That’s what STEM Week is all about — learning that leads to opportunity.”

“At a time when employers across the state are looking for skilled workers, we’re making sure Massachusetts residents can get the training they need to fill those roles and build great careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “During STEM Week, we’re celebrating how hands-on learning—from the classroom to the lab to the workplace—helps people of all ages discover new pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. These TRAIN grants strengthen that pipeline by connecting adult learners to the high-demand STEM careers driving our state’s innovation economy.”

The TRAIN grant program focuses on supporting long-term unemployed, under-employed, and new entrant adult workers by providing them with targeted industry skills and workforce readiness training. This funding supports 13 implementation programs that offer comprehensive training programs, which include not only the development of key skills, but also wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers.

TRAIN launched in 2016 when it served four community colleges. It has now grown to offer grant opportunities to all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts.

For more information on the TRAIN programs at Northern Essex, visit the webpage for Community Education or call 978-556-3060.

This article was adapted from a press release from the Executive Office of Education.