Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program

Superintendent Mr. James O’Brien is pleased to announce that GNB Voc-Tech has been awarded a $125,000 competitive grant through the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program for the school’s Carpentry Department.  Funds will be used to purchase Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine equipment for cutting hard materials, such as wood, composites, aluminum, steel, and plastics.  CNC machinery provides modern technology that makes high-speed and high-quality production a much-needed reality in the workplace.  Unlike manual woodworking machines that require extensive production time, CNC machining ensures accuracy, precision, and efficiency.  Trainees will use the CNC machine equipment to execute precise, intricate woodworking designs for interior and exterior projects that include but are not limited to cabinetry, paneling, doors, and flooring.

The 2016 Massachusetts Economic Development Bill established funding for the Workforce Skills Cabinet to administer the Skills Capital Grant Program. The program’s goal is to increase the capacity and quality of technical training and education by awarding funds to eligible schools and institutions for the purchase of capital equipment to provide high-quality learning opportunities and support workforce development for in-demand industries throughout the commonwealth. 

This equipment will enable us to elevate our program offerings and provide training opportunities for our regular education students and adult residents of the Southeast region that will facilitate the development and job readiness of highly-skilled, confident, and capable workers in the construction and building trades for many years to come.

This is the 4th grant award that GNB Voc-Tech has earned through the Skills Capital Grant Program.  Previous grants have included $495,000 to provide state-of-the-art equipment for our Machine Technology Program, $250,000 for automation and robotics equipment for our Engineering Technology Program, and $282,813 for our Nurse Assisting/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program.  This $125,000 grant brings our three-year Skills Capital Grant award total to $1,152,813.