STCC program makes use of stimulus cash

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Technical Community College received a one million dollar grant to educate students on ways to weatherize homes.

More than 40 students are enrolled in the program which is being run by the Mass Green Initiative. The grant is stimulus money that is part of $125 million that Massachusetts invested across the state for weatherization projects.

The program trains students in the latest green techniques in weatherization. They have mock up---houses inside one of the building that the students use to train on. They learn everything from caulking and siding to insulating and using infrared cameras to see how energy efficient a home is.

“This is a pilot program that’s being rolled out at seven different community colleges across Massachusetts,” said Jeffrey Simon, Director of the Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Office.

“There’s quite a few homes in the state that do need weatherization. There’s a lot of organizations that hire individuals to do this work, so were trying to get them out here to do the work that’s required,” Mass Grant Director Jim Neveu said.

Neveu told 22News that the program is great because instead of bringing students to homes, they can bring the homes to the students.