The Heat Pump and HVAC Technician Training Network Program provides workforce training implementation and equipment grants to Massachusetts community colleges. This grant program aims to address a critical supply gap in heat pump and HVAC technicians by providing direct funding and technical assistance to community colleges to establish or upgrade HVAC training centers. By increasing access to modern, relevant training equipment and infrastructure, colleges can build and scale career pathways that help Massachusetts residents access and advance in HVAC mechanic and technician occupations. This program implements Governor Maura Healey's commitment announced during her 2024 State of the Commonwealth address to launch additional HVAC training programs at community colleges statewide.
The program consists of two strands with separate deadlines. Strand A has a firm deadline of March 18, 2026. Strand B operates on a rolling basis and accepts applications through May 15, 2027. Key dates include a pre-application webinar on January 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM and pre-application office hours scheduled for January 22, February 10, February 19, and March 10, 2026. Questions may be submitted to HVACTrainingNetwork@masscec.com through May 15, 2027, with answers posted to the webpage on an ongoing basis.
Applicants must be one of the 15 Massachusetts community colleges. Training centers must be equipped to provide instruction on heat pumps and mini-split installation and maintenance, including hands-on instruction in a lab setting on ground and air source heat pumps and mini-split technologies, as well as theoretical foundation through classroom instruction. Minimum space of 1,500 square feet is recommended for a functional training lab, with 2,000 square feet or larger preferable, though applications utilizing sub-1,500 square foot spaces may be considered. Partnerships with vocational/technical high schools, other community colleges, or outside training facilities are permitted if properly documented with memoranda of understanding.
Estimated contract start dates are four to six months after the application deadline. Award notifications are expected in June 2026 for Strand A applications received by March 18, 2026, and within twelve weeks from submission for rolling applications under Strand B. Implementation grants may include a ramp-up period of six months from contract start date to ensure successful rollout of programming.