The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board has received a $227,000 grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development that will be used to train South Coast residents “advanced manufacturing” skills.

The grant will be used in part for a free training for residents from Wareham, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Acushnet, Lakeville, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Freetown and  Lakeville.

The training will be used to help residents learn some principles of advanced manufacturing related to computer technology, automation and software skills.

The grant was announced by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Roslyn Acosta, on Oct. 17 at the Franklin County Technical High School.

The funds will be used to administer and train unemployed individuals for positions at employers who need new workers that are credentialed in advanced manufacturing principles.

Recruitment for the program is in process and will be coordinated by New Directions Southcoast, Inc. through the Career Center located at618 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford. The training is expected to start mid November 2017 with a second beginning in late winter/early spring of 2018. Each session will consist of approximately 12 individuals from the area.

Individuals interested in participating in the training grant should visit the Greater New Bedford Career Center. For more information on the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc., visit gnbwib.org.