Gov. Maura Healey was climate-focused at the Boston Globe Summit 2024

By Merritt Hughes

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy sat down with Boston Globe reporter Sabrina Shankman during the 2024 Globe Summit to discuss how Massachusetts is building the climate workforce. 

Healey campaigned on a climate-based platform in 2022 and continues to emphasize that as governor. 

She started by praising the clean energy industry in Massachusetts, but called for expansion of the climate workforce to further meet the state’s ambitious climate goals. 

Healey specifically talked about how the move towards clean energy starts in Massachusetts schools through education. Initiatives like the Innovation Career Pathways start in the classroom by exposing students to careers in the energy sector. Healey also mentioned a program through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center that helps fund apprenticeship programs geared towards clean energy. 

“Having spent a lot of time with young people, this is where it’s at,” the governor said. “The energy they are bringing to this, they want to be part of that culture.”

Healey’s administration announced $11 million to businesses for workforce training programs following her appearance at the Summit. 

“Massachusetts is the best state to live in and a great place to work and innovate,” Healey said. “These grants provide the resources needed to help build a pipeline of skilled workers, allowing our businesses to remain competitive and helping them grow and expand.” 

Healey shared that seven out of ten in-demand clean energy jobs have a union training program in Massachusetts. 

You can watch the full 30-minute discussion here.