BOSTON – Approximately 140 Massachusetts companies have been given $11.4 million in grants from the Mass. Workforce Training Fund this year, according to The Boston Globe.

According to The Globe, Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration said that employers estimate the grants will create 1,700 new jobs and train 13,000 workers in areas including robotics, customer service and injection molding. The fund was overhauled this year to make it a trust fund that can be distributed as needed, instead of once a year. The fund is also no longer subject to annual legislative approval. •