Commonwealth Beacon: A new vision for career and technical education in Massachusetts
The institute’s research is helping shape a new vision for career and technical education (CTE) in Massachusetts. In this CommonWealth Beacon opinion piece, authors draw on the institute's workforce and labor‑market analysis to underscore the growing mismatch between student demand, program capacity, and the Commonwealth’s evolving workforce needs. [commonweal...beacon.org]
UMass Donahue Institute data show sustained demand for skilled technical workers across health care, advanced manufacturing, construction, and other sectors critical to the state’s economy. The article argues that expanding access to high‑quality CTE—while modernizing programs to reflect regional labor‑market realities—can strengthen economic mobility for students and competitiveness for employers. Grounded in UMass Donahue Institute research, the piece calls for coordinated policy, funding, and planning to ensure CTE can meet Massachusetts’ future workforce demands.
Read article: A new vision for career and technical education in Massachusetts
April 04, 2026
