Worcester Companies To Add Jobs After State Training Grant

WORCESTER, MA — Four Worcester companies will each receive more than $50,000 in state workforce training money as part of a new round of grants announced by the Healey-Driscoll administration.

The Worcester-based organizations are General Wire Products, Girls Incorporated of Worcester, Insurance Marketing Agencies and Major Bloom. The four organizations are expected to collectively add 13 jobs by 2028 as a result of the training investment.

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General Wire Products, a Worcester-based, family-owned manufacturer of custom wire and cable products, was awarded $58,000 to train 28 workers.

Girls Incorporated of Worcester, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, leadership and youth development programs for girls across Greater Worcester, was awarded $61,200 to train 29 workers.

Insurance Marketing Agencies, a Worcester-based independent insurance agency and one of the largest privately held agencies in New England, was awarded $63,600 to train 45 workers.

Major Bloom, a Massachusetts cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution company, was awarded $81,000 to train 27 workers.

The grant was part of $17.9 million awarded to 1,255 Massachusetts businesses through the Workforce Training Fund Program, which aims to help employers train, upskill, and retain workers. The businesses receiving grants expect to add more than 1,000 employees statewide over the next two years, according to the administration.

Since Gov. Maura Healey took office in January 2023, the program has awarded $100 million to train more than 82,700 workers for about 3,850 Massachusetts employers, according to the administration.

“Massachusetts businesses are creating the jobs of the future, and we're making sure they have the skilled workforce they need to grow and compete,” Healey said in a statement.

The latest round of grants spans 20 industries, including $5.6 million for 230 manufacturing businesses to train 4,444 workers and nearly $2.3 million for 287 professional, scientific and technical services organizations to train 2,352 workers.

The Workforce Training Fund Program is funded by employers through the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Grants support training in areas including English for speakers of other languages, project management, software and IT, machine setup and operations and other workplace skills.

The latest announcement included $7.5 million in General Program grants to train more than 6,400 workers at 114 employers. Those grants are awarded competitively over two years, with employers required to contribute at least one dollar for each grant dollar awarded, according to the administration.

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