April 18
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Community Colleges $9.7 Million to Strengthen the Massachusetts Health Care Workforce
Funding supports certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, and
other health care training programs
BOSTON 鈥� The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that $9.7 million has been awarded through the Community College Nursing Grant to expand workforce training in critical health care professions across Massachusetts. This funding will support noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant training programs at each of the state鈥檚 15 public community colleges, serving approximately 1,125 students in the state. Non-credit programs are designed to meet workforce demands quickly and efficiently, while providing individuals with practical, job-ready skills for upward mobility.
鈥淎s the daughter of a school nurse, I know how important it is to have experienced workers in the health care industry. These training programs will bolster the nursing pipeline to meet the workforce needs of employers in the medical field and the health care needs of patients across Massachusetts,鈥� said Governor Maura Healey. 鈥淭his funding will help to break down barriers that far too many people face when trying to obtain credentials and certificates to advance their careers in health care.鈥�
鈥淎s one of the most rapidly growing STEM occupations, it is vital that we open pathways for more people to pursue nursing and health care careers as soon as possible,鈥� said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 鈥淭hese training programs are a win for our residents, a win for our employers, and a win for our health care system.鈥�
By investing in these programs, the administration is bolstering Massachusetts鈥� health care industry by developing a highly skilled workforce of CNAs, Medical Assistants, and other health care professionals. This funding will also create training and employment opportunities across the state, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to stable, well-paying careers in health care. Additionally, these programs will serve as a foundation for further education, providing learners with clear pathways to advance their careers and pursue higher levels of health care education in the future.
鈥淏y creating more opportunities for equitable access to high demand fields, we can grow the health care workforce at a rate that meets the needs of Massachusetts residents,鈥� said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 鈥淥ur strategy for improving access to higher education is intimately linked with our goal meeting workforce needs and I am grateful to our community colleges for continuing to partner with us on expanding pathways to success through higher education and training for our learners.鈥�
鈥淭his investment in education for health care workers helps everyone who calls this state home,鈥� said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. 鈥淭hese community college grants are just one way we are supporting our dedicated health care professionals, giving them the tools and training they need to provide high-quality care to those who need it.鈥�
These non-credit training programs are designed to meet workforce demands more quickly than a college semester cycle, while providing individuals with job-ready skills that open opportunities for upward mobility. After participating in these health care training programs, residents can choose to use their learned skills to enter into the workforce or, thanks to MassReconnect and MassEducate, to continue their education and pursue for-credit programs tuition and fee free at community colleges.
鈥淢assachusetts鈥� community colleges are embedded in their surrounding communities, and I value the ability of these colleges to channel their knowledge base and quickly address workforce needs,鈥� said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. 鈥淭hese funds provided by the legislature and Healey-Driscoll Administration will provide a pathway to in-demand CNA and medical assistant careers, while bringing much needed support to the state鈥檚 health care workforce.鈥�
Nursing is already a high demand industry in Massachusetts and is only expected to grow over the next decade. According to data, in February 2025, the four employers with the most job postings in Massachusetts were in the health care sector. Nationally, jobs for registered nurses are projected to grow 6 percent by the early 2030s, and in Massachusetts it鈥檚 expected to be closer to 9 percent.
This announcement comes after the Healey-Driscoll Administration for behavioral health and primary care providers through the . Since 2023, this program has invested more than $245 million in loan repayment to support health care professionals across Massachusetts and is a critical part of the work happening to address workforce shortages in critical fields like health care.
鈥淥ur colleges are committed to preparing our students with the skills and education they need to succeed in high demand roles,鈥� said Luis Pedraja, president of Quinsigamond Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. 鈥淭here are critical shortages in nursing and other healthcare fields across the Commonwealth and many of our students are looking to earn a credential that will prepare them to enter the workforce quickly. We are immensely grateful to the legislature and the Healey-Driscoll administration for this funding which will allow students seeking these credentials to do so at no cost.鈥�
鈥淭his investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration will improve healthcare in the Commonwealth while, at the same time, providing job opportunities in areas in which there are critical shortages, said MassBay Community College President David Podell. 鈥淢assachusetts community colleges like ours are student-ready 鈥� we meet students where they are and help them advance in their lives and careers. We look forward to serving new students who, after completion of their programs, will earn sustainable wages, while helping to make our communities healthier. We are grateful for this impactful and forward-thinking investment.鈥�
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