Assabet Valley Welcomes Gov. Maura Healey for Announcement of Career Technical Education Funding

MARLBOROUGH — Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School hosted Gov. Maura Healey and other high-ranking state education leaders as the governor announced $70 million in funding to support Career Technical Education (CTE) at 28 schools including Assabet. 

Assabet Valley will receive $3.75 million of the funding to develop two new CTE programs — Public Safety and Veterinary Science. The new programs are expected to enable Assabet Valley to expand by about 160 students in the coming years. 

Statewide, the $70 million in additional CTE funding will create up to 2,500 new CTE seats by expanding 23 career tech programs, launching 27 new CTE programs, and updating equipment, technology and lab spaces.   

At Assabet Valley, the new Public Safety program will prepare students for essential roles in public safety and emergency response. The program will include access to a mock dispatch center and forensics lab. It will also include partnerships with municipal fire and EMS departments for internships and work-based learning, and partnerships with community colleges leading to public safety degrees and certifications. 

The new Veterinary Science program will prepare students for entry-level roles in animal care and veterinary services. The program will include access to examination tables, grooming tools and certifications for Veterinary CPR and Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA). 

Gov. Healey toured Assabet with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Education Steve Zrike and Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, met students, and discussed what students are learning in their CTE programs. 

Approximately 150 students took part in preparing CTE displays for the governor and state leaders. 

Gov. Healey then announced the new funding at a press conference held in the Metal Fabrication shop. 

Assabet Valley Senior Alyssa Silva spoke at the press conference and said CTE helped her find calling in Plumbing. Silva credited hands-on learning for preparing her for a successful career, and said the certifications and lessons she learned as Assabet Valley have prepared her to become a licensed plumber by age 21. 

“Here at Assabet and amongst CTE Schools across the Commonwealth, we see every day how rigorous academics, paired with high-quality career and technical education, prepare students not just for graduation but also for more than 1,800 hours of experiential learning geared toward achieving meaningful careers and lifelong success. This grant expands capacity, modernizes programs, and ensures more students can access career and technical pathways aligned to workforce demand — from advanced manufacturing and health sciences to information technology and skilled trades,” said Assabet Superintendent-Director Ernest Houle. “Today’s announcement is more than just about funding — it is a strategic investment in talent development, economic competitiveness, and improving access. We are extremely grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our legislators for investing in tomorrow’s workforce today!”

“Across Massachusetts, we’re hearing from students and families who want access to career technical education. That’s why we’re making a $70 million investment to expand programs, create new seats and modernize training facilities so more students can get the skills they need and step into strong, in-demand careers,” said Gov. Healey. “This investment will expand capacity, create new opportunities and ensure more students can gain the skills they need to succeed, while strengthening our workforce and supporting employers across the state.” 

“CTE expansion is about access and opportunity for our students and our community. By strengthening CTE pathways, we are not only preparing high school students for in-demand careers but also creating accessible, flexible opportunities for adult learners to reskill, upskill, and advance in today’s workforce,” said Christine D. Jardin-Gauthier, Director of Assebet Community Education. “It’s been exciting to elevate the importance of this work, and even more meaningful to do so with the support of Gov. Healey, whose commitment to workforce development and CTE education is making this expansion possible.”