April 30 was the grand opening of the Montachusett Vocational Partnership (MVP) Academy in Fitchburg, Massachusetts — a new regional workforce training center developed by Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech). Funded largely by a $1.9 million Lab Modernization Grant and additional state support, the academy aims to expand vocational education access for over 120 high school students, especially those from underserved districts like Fitchburg, Gardner, and Narragansett.

Faced with aging facilities and high student demand, Monty Tech repurposed a nearby warehouse into modern training centers for carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. The program uses a full-week rotation model between academics and hands-on training, departing from the traditional half-day format. The academy also received a $1.2 million grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to launch clean energy-focused adult training programs starting in fall 2025.

Speakers at the ribbon cutting, including students like Fitchburg High senior Nano Brefo, emphasized the program's life-changing impact and its potential as a model for expanding vocational education across the state. Read the full article here- https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2025/05/06/mvp-academy-launches-offers-trades-training/