HAVERHILL – Superintendent Maureen Lynch is pleased to announce that the Culinary Arts Program at Whittier Tech has been awarded a $350,000 Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant.
This spring, nearly $15 million in Skills Capital Grants were awarded to schools across the Commonwealth to support the upgrade of technology and instructional lab spaces, expansion of career programs for young people and adults, and increase in capacity of workforce training programs.
The Culinary Arts Program at Whittier Tech will use the $350,000 grant to update equipment well past its useful life, and purchase new equipment to enhance the learning experiences of all students.
“We’re delighted that the Commonwealth has recognized the ongoing success of our Culinary Arts Program by providing us with this significant grant,” Superintendent Lynch said. “The program is utilized by many in the community, from day students to those undertaking adult education, as well as members of the Career Technical Initiative, which provides training to unemployed or underemployed residents.”
Skills Capital Grants are awarded by the state’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which aligns education, economic development, and workforce policies to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in every region of Massachusetts. The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions demonstrating partnerships with local businesses and aligning curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities.
“Our Culinary Arts Program is open and serves the public for breakfast and lunch four days a week,” Vocational Coordinator Amanda Crosby said. “They host monthly buffets and work with local senior centers to prepare and serve low-cost meals. Receiving this grant allows Whittier Tech to continue to provide industry relevant training to all students, while also meeting the workforce demands.”
