WORCESTER—Quinsigamond Community College has received a $106,183 state grant to expand its Personal Care Assistant (PCA) training program, part of a statewide push to strengthen Massachusetts’ direct-care workforce.
The funding comes through the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grant program, which distributed about $1.5 million statewide this year. QCC has now received more than $1.4 million in TRAIN support since 2016.
The new grant funds training for 30 individuals seeking to enter the healthcare field as PCAs. Graduates of the program will be qualified for entry-level jobs assisting elderly, ill, or disabled clients in homes, group residences and assisted living facilities.
“This grant allows us to expand access to meaningful healthcare careers and meet a growing need in our community,” said Kathleen O’Connor, QCC’s Director of Workforce Development Operations, in a statement. “Personal Care Aides play a vital role in supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities, and demand for qualified caregivers continues to rise.”
The program combines classroom and hands-on learning, with 80 hours of instruction and 16 hours of experiential training through local employer partnerships. Students will earn Basic Life Support CPR certification and receive job-readiness preparation, along with access to financial literacy resources, family support services, and transportation assistance.
