PEABODY — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala announced Friday that Peabody Veterans Memorial High School has received a $270,699 grant from the state’s Skills Capital Grant Program, which provides funding for vocational education.
The funding will allow the school to renovate and modernize its Career and Technical Education, criminal justice/protective services, and early childhood education programs with simulation labs.
“I’m all for vocational education. When it comes to funding these programs, there can never be enough money in my opinion,” said School Committee member Joe Amico. “Things are different today. In the past, it was always college, college, college, but today with student loan debt and high costs, kids can’t afford to go to college. Vocational programs are in demand today especially with so many tradesmen retiring leaving so few. The state definitely needs to continue to make investments like this program to help meet the fact the supply cannot meet the demand.”
Vadala commended Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito for being strong supporters of CTE programs.
“This funding, once again, ensured that our students and adult learners train on the most up-to-date equipment and are prepared for the workforce upon graduation,” Vadala said.
Vadala said simulation-based training equipment will provide a safe learning environment and enable students to acquire skills, confidence, and experience by realistically engaging in their career areas.
The equipment will include child, infant, and 911 simulators, as well as scenario-based learning kits that will enhance student leadership and employability.
In August 2021, PVMHS was awarded $125,000 from the same state program to purchase simulation-based training equipment for medical assistance students. The equipment included patient simulators, electronic thermometers, spirometers, pediatric scales, diagnostic equipment, and vision and hearing screens.
The Skills Capital Grant program requires schools to establish relationships with employers, which often lead to internships and jobs, according to Vadala.
PVMHS was one of 70 institutions across the commonwealth to receive funding from the program in this round of grants. The total amount awarded was $22 million. Since the start of the program in 2015, as of the end of 2021,
the state has awarded more than $102 million to nearly 200 schools, benefiting approximately 40,000 students in Massachusetts.
The program is designed to help vocational, technical, and agricultural schools and programs across the Commonwealth update equipment, expand student enrollment, and reduce skill gaps in high-priority industry sectors.
“The trades desperately need to be addressed, which we have started to do but aren’t there yet,” Amico said. “There is so much more to CTE than back in my father’s day when it was only plumbing, electrical and carpentry. Not only has the demand for trades has increased tremendously, but CTE programs have expanded into so many other trades.”
The awards ceremony was held on Friday, July 22 at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington.
Since 2015, 477 grants totaling approximately $129 million have been awarded to 194 schools and educational institutions across the Commonwealth. Approximately 50,000 students across the Commonwealth have directly benefited from Skills Capital grants.