Career Technical Initiative (“CTI”)
NO COST for Unemployed or Underemployed!!
The Career Technical Initiative (“CTI”) is an initiative of the Workforce Skills Cabinet (WSC). It addresses the persistent demand for workers in manufacturing and construction/trades by expanding training capacity for Massachusetts residents. On behalf of the WSC, Commonwealth Corporation administers CTI, building capacity at high schools with designated aligned Chapter 74 vocational programs. Using existing facilities and equipment, the schools provide training in evenings and weekends to un/underemployed individuals. The schools collaborate with MassHire Career Centers to engage employers to ensure programs meet local workforce demand, recruit students, and place them in jobs once they have graduated.
If you are interested in enrolling in one of these programs or are a business interested in hiring graduates, please contact our Upskilling Navigators: Cathy Hamilton and/or Nancy Rich.
The Career Technical Initiative (CTI) has been a welcomed training model to stimulate talent pipelines and fuel innovation for technical roles in manufacturing and construction/skilled trades. The program provides Massachusetts residents who are unemployed or underemployed with training opportunities by using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the number of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs.
The Career Technical Initiative (CTI) has been a welcomed training model to stimulate talent pipelines and fuel innovation for technical roles in manufacturing and construction/skilled trades. The program provides Massachusetts residents who are unemployed or underemployed with training opportunities by using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the number of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs.
Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI)
MTI will be offering three tuition free summer programs for qualified candidates. The Carpentry, Plumbing and Welding programs will focus on serving unemployed or under-employed individuals, more specifically, recent high school graduates and students separating from the foster care system. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ students are encouraged to apply.
MTI’s Spring of 2025 15-week programs: Carpentry, Plumbing Code Tier 1, and Welding, have already started. More details for each program can be displayed by clicking on the arrow icon of each program title. These programs are tuition free for qualified candidates and we will soon be marketing MTI’s Summer/Fall 2025 Programs, and accepting applications!
(CURRENTLY FULL/PASSED DEADLINE)
Winter/Spring 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship Program:
- February 10, 2025 to May 29, 2025
- Classes will be held:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-9:00 PM
- Saturdays from 7:30 AM-2:00 PM
- 15-Week, 200-Hour Program
- Days and times are subject to adjustment
*This Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship program is FREE for unemployed or under-employed people.
Tuition
This training is provided COST-FREE for the following Massachusetts residents:
- Anyone who is unemployed
- Middlesex County residents who earn less than $63,900 gross annually
- Suffolk County residents who earn less than $45,500 gross annually
- Worcester County residents who earn less than $46,700 gross annually
- Essex County residents who earn less than $50,000 gross annually
- Most recent high school graduates
About the Program
The 15-week Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship program is held at Minuteman Technical Institute, the adult learning division of Minuteman High School in Lexington, and at the Carpenters’ Training Fund centers in Dorchester and Millbury.
The 200-hour program provides participants with training in proper use of hand tools and equipment, framing, concrete work, project management, and more.
The instructors have many years of experience in construction and carpentry and are actively working in the field.
The MTI Carpentry program is held in collaboration with the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) and the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (NASCTF).
(CURRENTLY FULL/PASSED DEADLINE)
Schedule
Winter/Spring 2025 Schedule:
- February 10, 2025 – May 29, 2025
- 290-Hour Program
- Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 4:00-9:00 PM
- Days and times subject to adjustment.
Tuition
This training is provided COST-FREE for the following Massachusetts residents:
- Anyone who is unemployed
- Middlesex County residents who earn less than $63,900 gross annually
- Suffolk County residents who earn less than $45,500 gross annually
- Worcester County residents who earn less than $46,700 gross annually
- Essex County residents who earn less than $50,000 gross annually
- Most recent high school graduates
About the Program
The Welding program provides students with real-world experience in addition to the ability to graduate with certifications sought by employers. The curriculum offers practical skills in welding theory and welding practice. A wide range of skills surrounding welding and sheet metal are presented. The students will be trained in many forms of welding using up-to-date equipment.
Hours and experience can be used toward attaining an apprenticeship and Ironworker Journeyman’s License following completion of the program.
​Course Content
Part I
- Safety
- Hand and Power Tools
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Oxy Aceltylene
- Plasma Cutting
- American Welding Society (AWS) 3G or 4G (required to pass to Part II.)
Winter/Spring 2025 Session:
- February 10, 2025 – May 29, 2025
- Monday-Thursday, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
*This Plumbing Tier I course is FREE for unemployed or under-employed people.
Free Tuition for Plumbing Tier 1
This training is provided COST-FREE for the following Massachusetts residents:
- Anyone who is unemployed or under-employed
- Middlesex County residents who earn less than $63,900 gross annually
- Suffolk County residents who earn less than $45,500 gross annually
- Worcester County residents who earn less than $46,700 gross annually
- Essex County residents who earn less than $50,000 gross annually
- Most recent high school graduates
The Plumbing Code Tier 1 program is supported by grant funding from the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet.
Requirements to Take Plumbing Tier 1 Course
- Be at least 18 years old
- Eligible to work in United States
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Pass CORI/SORI (criminal and sex offender background check)
- Pass drug test
- Complete eligibility paperwork with MassHire
SUMMER 2025– “TO BE DETERMINED”
✨For more information and to apply, contact Cathy Hamilton, MassHire North Central’s Upskilling Navigator directly at 978-534-0273 or via email: chamilton@masshirenorthcentralcc.com.
MT NITES SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
No Cost Training!
Eligibility:
- Massachusetts Resident;
- Be over the age of 18;
- Not currently attending high school;
- Make less than $51,600 per year;
- Not already working in the field they wish to study; and
- Be willing to go to work immediately upon graduation in the field that they trained in.
✨For more information and to apply, contact Cathy Hamilton, MassHire North Central’s Upskilling Navigator directly at 978-534-0273 or via email: chamilton@masshirenorthcentralcc.com.
Nashoba Career Technical Institute (NCTI)
Post-Secondary and Career Training Programs
Massachusetts Regional Workforce Blueprints identify high demand careers and critical industries where the projected workforce need is greater than the supply of trained employees. In collaboration with MassHire Workforce Boards, MassHire Career Centers, and local businesses our Post-Secondary vocational certificate programs are designed for adults seeking industry-approved technical skills in high demand industries/occupations. These tuition-based Certificate programs provide up to 900 hours of skilled training that prepare adults to enter the workforce or position themselves to be promoted within their existing place of employment.
Approved programs include:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Automotive Services
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
✨For more information and to apply, contact Cathy Hamilton, MassHire North Central’s Upskilling Navigator directly at 978-534-0273 or via email: chamilton@masshirenorthcentralcc.com.