MassBay Community College
A 2023 profile of MassBay’s students show that the 6,000 full and part-time students across the open-access college’s three campuses (in addition to Wellesley, there are locations in Framingham and Ashland) generally attend school part-time, have at least one job, are age 26 on average, and are attracted to MassBay for programs such as automotive, health science, and business. Many come for associates degrees, but many others use MassBay as a way station on their path to a bachelor’s degree-granting college.
“Community colleges have a reputation, unjust I think, of being an extension of high school. But what we do is serious academic work, but with supports…,” MassBay president David Podell said, that include addressing food insecurity, childcare, and transportation. “So we’ve moved somewhat into the social services field.”
MassBay to Offer Free Workforce Training Courses in Spring 2025
January 30, 2025–This spring, MassBay Community College is partnering with the Metro South/West Workforce Board to offer free workforce training courses for eligible Massachusetts residents in Behavioral Health Technician I and Behavioral Health Technician II. The $61,000 grant will provide approximately 40 students with the opportunity to participate in these courses. These one-semester classes equip students with in-demand skills, addressing gaps in the local workforce and preparing them for more advanced college courses.
“As the regional manager of this multi-year Behavioral Health Hub grant, administered by Commonwealth Corporation, we are pleased to announce the addition of MassBay Community College as the education partner for Behavioral Health Technician training. Through this partnership, we will add to an established portfolio of training programs that offer clear career pathways for people entering the behavioral health workforce,” said Metro South/West Workforce Board Executive Director Greg Bunn.
The Behavioral Health Technician I and the Behavioral Health Technician II courses provide a theory, understanding, and practice in the Behavioral Health field. The training covers four major areas of study, with Behavioral Health Technician I focusing on human development and de-escalation techniques and Behavioral Health Technician II focusing on the study of diverse communities and communication.
The human development training equips practitioners with knowledge of balance, wellness, and understanding of various disorders. De-escalation training provides participants with expanded techniques, building on previously introduced concepts, to help others communicate effectively and maintain balance during crises and stressful situations and maintain balance during crises and stressful situations. The study of diverse communities offers context for understanding cultural identity through the lens of multiple intersections. The communication component highlights perception and social communication skills through activities such as working on emails, reports, improvisation, roleplay, interpretation, and analysis.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Metro South/West Workforce Board to offer community members these classes, free of charge, enabling them to gain skills that qualify them for positions in growing industries that need trained and ready-to-work professionals,” said MassBay Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Workforce Development and Community Education Colleen Coffey. “Community members can learn a new profession in just a few short months, enter a college course to start their journey toward an associate degree or stack credits to earn credentials.”
“The case management we provide, including job readiness and wraparound support services, ensures that students are well positioned to successfully complete the program and quickly enter the workforce upon graduation,” said Metro South/West Workforce Board HealthCare Works Manager Kerri Sandberg.
Prospective students interested in learning more can visit MassBay’s Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development (CPWD) course listing or email or call cpwd@massbay.edu or 781-270-4100.
This project is funded by the Healthcare/Behavioral Health Hub Continuation Grant (Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund FY’21 Appropriation) and funds appropriated through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. This grant initiative is administered by the Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Workforce Skills Cabinet.
