Waltham High School Receives $152K Skills Capital Grant

WALTHAM, MA —Waltham High School's Health Assisting program has received a $152,871 Skills Capital Grant from the Baker-Polito Administration in the latest round of funding that will provide a total of $9.7 million to 47 educational institutions in Massachusetts.

The Skills Capital Grant Program was instituted in 2015 with the goal of updating equipment and expanding student enrollment in programs that provide career education. As of Monday, the program has provided $102 million in funding and $25 million in local matching funds to high schools, colleges, and other educational organizations.

“The Skills Capital Grants have helped give thousands of young people opportunities in high-demand jobs, and the grants have had a tremendous impact on students, schools and local businesses,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement. “These significant investments made over the past six years in this program with our partners in the Legislature will help train students to adapt to the changing needs of our economy.”

Waltham High School will use the funding to purchase industry-standard health care equipment, including EKGs, Pulse Doppler and Vital Sign machines, hospital grade furniture, training models, and mobility equipment to support students who are enrolled in the newly launched Chapter 74 Healthcare Assistant Program to become certified CNAs.

“Massachusetts, like the rest of the country, will face workforce challenges in the next few years, but we are poised to handle them better because of programs like the Skills Capital Grants,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in a statement. “The grants enable schools, colleges and other educational institutions to revamp how students learn and gain crucial experience that serves them and employers well.”

Skills Capital Grants are awarded to education institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses and align curriculum and credentials with industry demand. The 2018 Economic Development Bill established an additional $75 million for this program and, in 2020, the state began awarding multi-year grants.

For more information on the Skills Capital Grant Program, click here.