Subscribe to MWCC News Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is proud to be a workforce training partner in a $150,000 Community Workforce Partnership Grant awarded to the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through this award, MWCC will partner with NCMDC, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (NCMCC), and the Spanish American Center (SAC) to increase enrollment and completion rates in high-demand career fields including Information Technology, Healthcare, and Education.
Building on the foundation and successes of the partners’ past, nationally recognized Equitable Credentialing Initiative, this collaboration will strengthen access to workforce training and support services. The project will combine targeted outreach, industry-aligned technical skills training, and comprehensive student support services, along with critical English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and direct employer connections to create sustainable career pathways.
“This initiative reflects MWCC’s continued commitment to meeting the workforce needs of our region while ensuring equitable access to education and career advancement,” said MWCC president James Vander Hooven. “By partnering with NCMDC and trusted community organizations, we are expanding opportunity for residents and helping build a stronger local workforce.”
“Strong regional economies are built on access to skilled talent, and this grant reflects the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation’s commitment to strengthening the economic foundation of our region. Working alongside Mount Wachusett Community College and the Spanish American Center, we are creating real career pathways for residents in the fields where our employers need talent most,” Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.
MWCC will play a key role in delivering training and student support services designed to help participants successfully complete credentials and transition into employment. The NCMDC and the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will connect participants with employer partners and workforce opportunities, while the Spanish American Center will provide culturally responsive outreach and essential ESL programming to ensure broader access for multilingual learners and immigrant communities.
Together, the partners aim to remove barriers to training and employment, increase credential attainment, and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline in sectors that continue to experience critical demand.