Middlesex Community College Receives Nearly $500K in State Grants for Health Care Training

Middlesex Community College (MCC) is among several recipients of recently announced state grants to support job-training and apprenticeship programs in in-demand career fields, such as health care.

According to The (Lowell) Sun, MCC has received approximately $500,000 in funds to train 104 unemployed or underemployed Massachusetts residents to become certified nurse assistants. MCC is partnering with Carleton-Willard Village, Sunny Acres Nursing Home, and MassHire Lowell to interview, recruit, and place students. MCC plans to expand into pharmacy technician externships and extensive phlebotomy externships at several partner sites.

“Health care remains one of the largest areas in workforce development with continued growth forecasted in the coming years,” said Audrey Nahabedian, dean of workforce development and innovation, in a statement shared with The Sun. “[CET] offers a variety of noncredit health care courses and programs which allow participants to gain the skills necessary for entry or advancement in the field.”

Job training blends theoretical coursework with hands-on, real-world experience to prepare students for certification exams and entry into the workforce.

According to The Sun, a targeted TRAIN grant initiative will place 15 students in a Pharmacy Technician Externship Program. Upon completion, students will be prepared to take the national certification exam. Additionally, an internship at Walgreens Pharmacies will provide hands-on training. The Sun also notes that plans call for 12 students to complete a 220-hour experiential learning phlebotomy program with externships provided at 15 partnering hospitals or clinical sites.

Classes begin early in January and run through the spring. For more details, call 781-280-3663, email MCC, or visit the MCC website.