GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is one of 65 educational institutions to receive Skills Capital Grants to upgrade technology and instructional spaces to expand career programs for young people and adults.

The $425,000 grant will support MWCC’s automotive technology program with equipment to expand and upgrade the current program and the planned electric vehicle (EV) concentration. MWCC undergraduates, Early College Academy students earning college credits while in high school, and incumbent automotive technicians seeking to improve their skills will be able to benefit from the grant-funded improvements, according to the announcement.

Training will include both credit and non-credit courses in the diagnosis and repair of traditional combustion engines and electric vehicles. The equipment to be purchased includes electrical and technical trainers, automotive technician equipment, diagnostic equipment, shop equipment and tools, an electric vehicle for student practice, and a charging station for electric vehicles for use in diagnostics and repair.

“The demand for auto technicians with EV skills and knowledge in our region is continuing to grow, as is the interest in our program,” stated Eric Almeida, professor and automotive program director. “The additional equipment and tools will ensure that all students have access to the resources they need in the classroom.”

Skills Capital Grants have been used for the purchase of training equipment aligned with current industry-standard technology and workforce demands in the automotive industry. The funds have also been used to modernize and expand instructional lab spaces to increase enrollment in HVAC programs and purchase new equipment to provide specialized training for careers in offshore wind projects, green technologies, and energy efficiency.

“We want to ensure that what students learn in school helps them get where they want to go, while also meeting our workforce needs,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “These Skills Capital Grants will ensure our students and adult learners have access to innovative technology, equipment, and spaces to gain the skills they need to prepare them for successful careers in high demand industries.”