Funding supports heat pump, HVAC training
Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $1,188,635 grant through the Mass Clean Energy Center's new Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network. BCC is one of 13 community colleges in the Commonwealth to receive the funding, supported by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The initiative will help community colleges establish or upgrade training centers, expand capacity, and provide students with the resources they need to enter the workforce.
The Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network will open pathways for more Massachusetts residents to pursue in-demand careers such as heat pump and HVAC mechanics and technicians, while helping employers meet growing workforce needs. At BCC, the grant will provide the funds to renovate existing space in the Field Administration building into an HVAC Learning Lab, and the College is currently working with industry expert Laureyns United of Pittsfield to help staff instructors for HVAC trainings.
At the same time, BCC plans to launch the Berkshire Trades Academy, funded by a $995,000 federal earmark received from Congressman Richard Neal. The BCC Trades Academy intends to provide short-term, industry-aligned training programs designed to quickly connect students to in-demand careers in the skilled trades. The nearly $1M in newly secured funding represents a critical investment in advancing the Trades Academy, enabling a comprehensive feasibility study, addressing hazardous materials, and supporting key construction and equipment needs. Guided by strong employer and community partnerships, this effort will ensure a strategic, high-impact path forward.
"HVAC is a high-demand, high-wage occupation, and Berkshire Community College is proud to supply area employers with the trained workforce they need," said Jim Mancall, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement. "This generous grant will open the door for a much-needed area of study, allowing us to train HVAC mechanics and technicians who will be ready to enter the workforce the moment they graduate from our program. We thank the Commonwealth and Governor Healey for recognizing the growth in this sector, and we are ready to provide the tools necessary to train the next generation of students in this important trade."
We need a strong pipeline of energy workers to help keep our homes comfortable and lower energy bills. By investing in HVAC and heat pump training programs, we're making sure Massachusetts has the skilled workforce needed to meet growing demand and creating lasting economic opportunity in every corner of the state.
Beyond funding, Mass Clean Energy Center will ensure program quality and consistency through the development of a universal heat pump curriculum, a shared instructional framework, and contextualized English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) resources. Together, these efforts represent a coordinated, statewide push to expand training capacity, improve program quality, and create accessible pathways into clean energy careers for Massachusetts residents.
