Bunker Hill Community College Awarded $5 Million by U.S. Department of Labor
Funding will expand access to training for good-paying jobs; BHCC one of 13 colleges nationwide to receive funding
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) was awarded a $5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, on behalf of a consortium of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts. The consortium is one of 13 awardees nationally to receive the grant, which will fund job training for groups underrepresented in the workforce. The grant is part of the second round of the Strengthening Community Colleges Training initiative, which helps community colleges nationwide to improve their ability to address equity gaps and meet employers’ and workers’ skills development needs.
BHCC is the lead college for the consortium. The Massachusetts project will focus on the IT industry, and develop career pathways training for skill development, rapid reskilling and employment in quality jobs.
"Education and economic development are inseparable, and Community Colleges are at the vanguard of providing training, upskilling, and education to communities who are underrepresented in today's workforce," said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. "This grant means a pathway to better jobs for our communities and underscores the importance of the partnership between community colleges and industry to create effective programming that will train the next generation of workers."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently found that college graduates earn twice as much as those with only a high school diploma, which underscores the economic disparity faced by those without access to quality career and technical education programs and other forms of education.
“[These] funding awards will connect people – particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented communities – with the education and training they need for good-paying jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “These grants are designed to empower community colleges to ensure their curriculum meets the needs of employers in their communities and equips workers with valuable skills.”
Media Contact:
Brendan P. Hughes, Director of Public Relations
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 646-245-0112; Email: brendan.hughes@bhcc.edu
About Bunker Hill Community College
Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).