On April 17, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the allocation of $9.7 million through the Community College Nursing Grant to expand workforce training in key health care roles across Massachusetts. The funding will support noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant programs at all 15 of the Commonwealth’s public community colleges, with the goal of training approximately 1,125 students. This investment comes at a critical time, as nursing facilities across the state continue to grapple with nearly 3,000 CNA vacancies. The availability of free CNA training at community colleges removes a significant financial barrier to entry and provides a vital pathway into the nursing profession.
Mass Senior Care Association applauds the Healey Administration for its ongoing commitment to strengthening the long-term care workforce. Initiatives like this, as well as the passage of the Certified Medication Aide role in Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and the Massachusetts Career Ladder Program which upskills CNAs to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are essential to building a pipeline of qualified caregivers and addressing the urgent staffing needs in nursing homes across the state. We encourage members to please contact Sue Misiorski, Vice President of Workforce Development, if you have any questions.