Mass. Community Colleges Readying To Train Casino Workers

While the Massachusetts Gaming Commission conducts background checks on the 11 entities that have submitted initial applications for a casino or slot parlor license, community colleges are getting ready to train casino workers.

Fifteen community colleges signed a deal with hopeful casino developers this week to prepare students for the state's gaming industry. The colleges, along with other worker-training programs, formed the Massachusetts Casino Careers Training Institute.

Jeremy Solomon, spokesman for MassBay Community College, says community colleges are well-positioned to train casino workers.

"There will be new jobs and new skills required both from the industry itself, but also from business management, accounting, hospitality, culinary arts," Solomon said. "You know, other things that we can assume will be coming along with the actual casinos themselves."

There could be as many as 3,000 new jobs once the casinos open.