CTI Eligibility

FutureSkills Career Technical Initiative trainings are free for individuals who meet the qualifications outlined by the Commonwealth Corporation and the Massachusetts Governor’s Office. Eligibility requirements are updated annually based on MassWorkforce American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) policy issuances.

Decisions are made based on the following criteria:

Massachusetts Residency

You must be a resident of Massachusetts. Acceptable documents include:

Current and valid state-issued ID (including, but not limited to a MA Driver’s License)
Utility bill dated within the last three months
Government mail received in the past 60 days (including property tax or excise tax bill)
Current Firearm ID card
Current bank statement
Current pension statement
Current auto or home insurance policy
Current lease agreement

Work Authorization

You must be authorized to work in the U.S. Acceptable documents include:

Passport or Passport Card
Employment Authorization Document
Permanent Resident Card
MA Driver’s License or State ID plus a Social Security Card or Birth Certificate
Proof that you are currently collecting Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Find more information or request Work Authorization

Age

You must be 18 years old or older at the time of program completion.

Career Center Membership

You must be a registered member of the MassHire Central Career Center. If you have attended a Career Center Seminar in-person or virtually within the past 12 months, you are a member.

Learn more about becoming a member

Prior CTI Enrollment

The funding that supports CTI training does not allow an individual to participate in more than one CTI program. If you were previously enrolled in a CTI training through any MassHire Career Center or technical high school, you are not eligible.

Employment Status & Income Guidelines

You must be either unemployed or underemployed.

Unemployed means you are not currently working. Acceptable documents include:

Proof of UI benefits or a screenshot of your UI account
A letter verifying unemployment
A tax form showing no income (such as a 1040)
A letter from your most recent employer

Underemployed means you are working but earning less than 60% of the Median Household Income for the Workforce Area in which you reside. The following chart provides the Yearly and Hourly Wage limits for each Workforce Area:

Workforce Area	Annual Income Limit	Hourly Income Limit
Berkshire	$45,706	$21.97
Boston	$57,104	$27.45
Bristol	$49,139	$23.62
Cape and Islands	$55,586	$26.72
Central	$57,603	$27.69
Franklin Hampshire	$47,263	$22.72
Greater Brockton	$67,146	$32.28
Greater Lowell	$79,559	$38.25
Greater New Bedford	$58,571	$28.16
Hampden County	$42,772	$20.56
Merrimack Valley	$61,226	$29.44
Metro North	$77,008	$37.02
Metro South/West	$81,196	$39.04
North Central	$57,603	$27.69
North Shore	$61,226	$29.44

Source: SAIPE 2024, U.S. Census Bureau. MHI weighted by ZIP count within each workforce area. Hourly wage = 60% MHI ÷ 2,080 hrs (40 hrs x 52 wks).

Acceptable documents include:

Pay stub dated within the past six months
Bank records showing direct deposit payments
A 1040 or 1099 tax form
An offer letter or employer letter showing your pay rate
Proof of income-based public benefits (letter, deposit record, or EBT card). Public benefits that qualify include TANF, SNAP, SSI, and SSDI, among others.