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EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT: CAREER / TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR OTHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING Description of the component. Provide a summary of the activities and services. Vocational Training programs aim to improve the employability of participants by providing academic and technical knowledge and skills needed to move into subsequent education or training or directly into employment. More than half of the programs to be offered under the SNAP Path to Work umbrella in FFY 2026 are Career/Technical Education Programs or other Vocational Training. A variety of occupational, remedial, and entry-level job skills training, customized training, institutional skills training, upgrade training and vocational education programs are available through the SNAP Path to Work network of providers. The 89 individual Vocational Training programs to be offered through the SNAP Path to Work program in FFY 2026 are independently operated. Some are offered in multiple locations or offer multiple tracks based on client interest and aptitude. Vocational Skills training participants will prepare for a variety of careers, in fields including but not limited to Pharmacy Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Personnel Care Attendant, Phlebotomy, Biotechnology, Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Medical Administration, Construction and Skilled Trades, Veterinary Assistant, Information Technologies, Medical Interpreting, HVAC, Cyber Security, Certified Damage Appraisal, Sterile Processing Technician, and Behavioral Health Technician. Most programs result in a certification or license. For fields for which there is no specific industry recognized certification, supporting certifications are provided so that a client is fully prepared to apply for the position—e.g., CPR/First Aid for Early Childhood careers, ServSafe for culinary careers and OSHA certifications for Skilled Trade and Construction. SNAP E&T providers assist with finding jobs at the completion of the program via either job search and/or job search training, referrals to MassHire Career Centers or other training providers, community partnerships, internships, apprenticeships and/or job placement. Skills trainings programs typically include at least some job readiness and preparation for applications through a formal secondary program or built into the skills training program itself. Indicate the Target Population this component will serve. Select all that apply. ABAWDs Homeless Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders) Single parents Students Those that reside in rural areas Underemployed Veterans Describe the criteria for participation. Include the skills, knowledge, or experience necessary for participation in the component. For example, literacy or numeracy levels, recent labor market attachment, computer literacy, etc. Because SNAP Path to work providers are independently operated, target varied populations and are in different labor market areas, participation criteria is not standardized across programs. In addition to budgets for each program that they plan to offer under the SNAP Path to Work umbrella, providers submit program descriptions that include information about participant demographics and program requirements. This writeup is used to populate the program description on the SNAP Path to Work website and is used by DTA staff to determine who should be referred to each program. If the potential participant meets SNAP E&T eligibility criteria, is motivated to work, and meets basic program prerequisites as described in the program description submitted to the State by the provider, the State will refer the client to the provider for assessment. Examples of provider specific criteria for participation include high school diploma or equivalency, CORI/SORI checks, the ability to lift a specific number of pounds, Immunization/Health records, placement testing, 8th Grade Reading/Math skills, drug testing, intermediate English proficiency 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan MA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mafy26stateplan//index.html 63/167