Two Hampshire County businesses earned state grants this week aimed at upgrading workers’ skills and fostering job creation.
In addition, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton learned that it will receive $401,116 from the state to advance its machine technology and electrical programs.
Arrow Machine of Belchertown, and Knight Machine and Tool Company, Inc., of South Hadley, received $26,420 and $56,465 respectively in workforce training fund grants, Gov. Charlie Baker announced March 8. The businesses are among 111 Massachusetts companies to draw upon a pool of $7.9 million set aside by the state.
“Workforce training grants invest in the strength of our workers and Massachusetts’ labor market,” Baker said in a statement. “We are pleased these funds can assist workers in developing the skills they need to advance their careers and help businesses foster an employment pool which better matches their growth needs.”
Arrow Machine is expected to train six employees and create one new position by 2019. Knight Machine and Tool Company will use the money to hone the skills of 23 employees and likewise expand by one new position by that same year.
“By focusing on developing the skill sets of our workers today, we ensure that they have access to the jobs of tomorrow,” said state Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald Walker, II.
The announcement came the same week that officials at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton learned that the school would receive $401,116 in state funding as part of Massachusetts’ Workforce Skills Capital Grants. The dollars are budgeted for upgrading the school’s advanced machine technology and electrical programs.
The school was one of 32 institutions to receive a portion of the $11.8 million handed out by the state in the latest round of grants.
“These investments have a major impact for the educational institutions training our workforce and the students who stand to benefit from enhanced skills and career paths,” Baker said at the time.
Derrick Perkins can be reached at dperkins@gazettenet.com