Secretary Tutwiler returns to Lynn bearing gifts - Itemlive

October 21, 2024 by Steve Krause

LYNN – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is awarding $1.7 million in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Partnership Grants to six Massachusetts schools and school district partnerships, Lynn being among them.

The grants were announced Monday at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute by members of the Healey administration, including state Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, who is the former superintendent of Lynn Public Schools.

The grants add 342 new seats for students in fields such as advanced manufacturing, early education and care, and health assisting. The partnerships, known as “After Dark” programs, take place after the school day and create collaboration between career and technical education schools and local comprehensive traditional public high schools to provide students at public schools with access to career and technical education.

The Lynn Public School district has received $397,625 to allow for 48 more seats annually to the After Dark Partnership Program at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute in Advanced Manufacturing, HVAC, Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies, and Health Assisting, which are all areas where there is locally high demand in the labor market.

“The grants will enhance workforce development efforts and strengthen partnerships between schools and industry leaders, helping to prepare students and workers for jobs in high-demand fields in Massachusetts’ economy, Gov. Maura Healey said.

“Investing in career and technical education is essential to preparing our workforce for the future,” she said. “These grants will give students access to the tools and training they need to succeed in critical industries, from advanced manufacturing to early education and care, while also creating stronger ties between schools and employers to ensure that education programs match real-world demand.”

“Partnerships between schools and industry leaders are the backbone of our workforce development strategy,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll of Salem. “By aligning education with the skills that employers need, we’re empowering students and workers to take advantage of high-quality job opportunities while helping businesses grow.”

As part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, the CTE Partnership Grants equip students and workers with the skills they need to succeed in today’s dynamic job market through development of innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that align with current industry needs, said Awardees in communities with a high demand for CTE, as well as Gateway Cities, were prioritized, said Tutwiler.

“An important part of our Reimagining High School initiative is providing students with engaging, hands-on experiences that mirror their future careers,” Tutwiler said. “I am excited to be back in Lynn today to make this announcement during STEM week and lift up how career and technical education is a key part of these efforts.

“We know there is demand for this type of learning in our comprehensive public schools and career technical education schools, and this grant program is helping us reach more students and communities,” said Tutwiler.

“These grants reflect the importance of giving additional students access to career technical education,” said Russell D. Johnston, Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “I’m happy to see such strong collaboration between schools and districts for the benefit of students.”

“STEM education is key to unlocking our students’ potential and preparing them for a future filled with possibilities,” said Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson. “We appreciate the state’s commitment to enhancing and expanding STEM for all students. This grant will provide transformational opportunities that will empower our youth and promote further innovation and exploration in their academics.”

Also speaking Monday were Dr. Evonne Alvarez, superintendent of Lynn Public Schools; and students Andi Barrios and Anais Romero Ledesma. After the speaking portion of the program, SkillsUSA students at Tech led attendees on tours through the Tech Advanced Manufacturing Shop and the Health Tech classroom.

The program will also give awards to Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Beverly Public Schools, Danvers Public Schools, Gloucester Public Schools, Marblehead Public Schools, Rockport Public Schools, and Swampscott Public Schools.

Steve Krause is the Item’s writer-at-large. He joined paper in 1979 as a copy editor and later created a music column, called Midnight Ramblings, which ran through 1985. After leaving the paper for a year, he returned in 1988 as a reporter and editor in sports. He became sports editor in 1998; and was named writer-at-large in 2018. Krause won awards for writing in 1985 from United Press International; in 2001 from the Associated Press; and again in 2020 from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. He is a member of the Harry Agganis Foundation Hall of Fame, a past winner of the Moynihan Lumber Scholar-Athlete Community Service Award, and was the 2012 recipient of the Jack Grinold Media Award for MasterSports, an organization that conducts high school and college coaches’ clinics. He lives in Lynn, is active on Facebook, and can be found on Twitter @itemkrause.