Greenfield Community College has been awarded $17,000 from the Commonwealth Corporation as part of an Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development initiative to improve workforce outcomes among individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. The Program Design Capacity Building Grant is part of Commonwealth Corporation's Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program.

The goal of the grant is to design a manufacturing workforce pipeline in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties that helps meet unmet manufacturing labor needs. The project aims to prepare returning citizens for careers in manufacturing by addressing systemic barriers to gainful employment for individual's post-incarceration. In order to achieve this goal, GCC will partner with manufacturing businesses, state and community agencies, and Holyoke Community College.

"GCC is proud to lead these efforts to build on and expand our strong tri-county partnerships to reduce recidivism through educational programs and pathways that lead to employment with sustainable wages," said Alyce Stiles, Dean of Workforce Development and Community Education.

Grant partners include four manufacturing businesses; Peerless Precision, Inc., Sisson Engineering Corp., Deerfield Packaging Service, Inc., and Sanderson McLeod, Inc. Partner agencies include Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Hampshire County Sheriff's Office and House of Corrections, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board, MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Community Action Pioneer Valley, and Holyoke Community College.

"Advanced Manufacturing is booming and showing no signs of slowing down! We are growing and consistently seeking skilled individuals to bring in to our team. Peerless Precision, Inc. is proud to support GCC's efforts in growing the pipeline for skilled workers in Manufacturing in the Pioneer Valley!," said Kristin Carlson President Peerless Precision, Inc. Westfield, MA.

For more information about GCC, contact Stacy Metzger, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at 413.775.1364 or

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