Bunker Hill Community College Awarded $1.13M to Develop Heat Pump and HVAC Training
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been awarded $1.13 million as part of a $13.4 million statewide investment to expand clean energy workforce training across Massachusetts community colleges. The funding, announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration through the Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), will support the creation and enhancement of training facilities focused on heat pump and HVAC technologies.
BHCC is one of 13 institutions selected for the new Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network, an initiative designed to prepare more than 500 additional learners for careers in high-demand clean energy fields while strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce pipeline.
At BHCC, the award will fund the development of a training facility at 90 Everett Avenue, across from our Chelsea campus, that addresses both the state’s clean energy goals and local workforce needs. The initiative comes at a critical time as Massachusetts accelerates heat pump adoption and transitions toward more sustainable energy systems.
Kristen McKenna, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at BHCC, emphasized the importance of the investment in achieving both workforce and environmental objectives.
“The support from MassCEC and the MACC is crucial to developing a training facility that meets the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals and local workforce needs. With an aging workforce in the trades, technical training is a priority for BHCC, and these will be good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.”
State officials noted that the broader initiative will not only expand access to training but also help ensure consistency and quality by establishing a shared curriculum and instructional framework across participating colleges. The program is expected to create clear pathways into careers such as HVAC mechanics and heat pump technicians, roles that are increasingly essential to the state’s clean energy transition.
For BHCC, the award reinforces its role as a key provider of workforce training in Greater Boston, positioning the College to help meet growing employer demand and to open new opportunities for students to enter stable, well-paying careers in the clean energy sector.