BILLERICA — Shawsheen Valley Technical School was awarded a $1 million grant as part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s $17 million Skills Capital Lab Modernization initiative. Shawsheen is one of 18 Chapter 74 vocational-technical schools to receive funding aimed at enhancing career and technical education facilities with ultramodern equipment.
On Oct. 22, Superintendent Tony McIntosh represented Shawsheen at Upper Cape Regional Vocational School, where he formally accepted the award. Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler praised the schools’ dedication to advancing vocational education throughout the commonwealth, highlighting the impact of modernized facilities in preparing students for future-ready careers.
“This funding will allow Shawsheen to greatly improve our welding program, providing students with modern equipment to build skills that match industry needs,” said McIntosh, emphasizing the transformative potential of the grant for the school and its students.
Shawsheen Tech will use the $1 million grant to extensively remodel its metal fabrication and joining technologies shop space, enhancing its alignment with current curriculum needs and increasing student interest. Building on equipment upgrades funded by a prior grant, the project will include vital infrastructure improvements such as new flooring, upgraded lighting, and an improved ventilation system. A designated area for grade 9 students will be created to support early skill development, and additional welding stations will be installed to accommodate more students in hands-on training sessions. This grant will also enable Shawsheen Tech to offer electric arc welding from day one, allowing all students to begin training with this high-demand skill immediately.
“We are excited about the possibilities this grant opens for our welding program,” said Lead Welding Instructor Alex Guarino. “With these upgrades, we can offer students training on equipment that matches the standards they’ll encounter in the field. It’s a huge step toward preparing them for real-world demands and ensuring they have the skills employers are seeking.”
The shop improvements will also feature upgraded electrical systems and a fresh coat of paint, enhancing the overall functionality and aesthetics of the space. This new award builds on Shawsheen’s previous $360,000 Skills Capital grant, which funded critical upgrades, including a Standard Industrial 8-foot power shear, a Marvel vertical band saw, an Everett 16-inch dry mitering abrasive saw, 29 Miller Welding packages, and Siegmund Imperial welding fixture tables.
The Skills Capital Lab Modernization Grants support the purchase of equipment to upgrade and expand career technical education programs aligned with regional economic and workforce priorities. Priority was given to applicants increasing the number of students in an existing program, launching new programs to meet industry demands, or expanding access to facilities and equipment in partnership with external organizations outside standard hours.