The Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 6 union has purchased a property at 305 Freeport St., next door to their existing union hall with the intention of building out a new training center.

The union bought the parcel on March 31 from the Cody Group LLC, which operated Colony Hardware and Rentals for many years at the location. The buy was made with the help of a $600,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MCEC).

“The purchase is part of our investment in a training center upgrade that will greatly enhance our ability to offer hands-on instruction and produce workers who are prepared to fill the state’s growing need for a highly skilled clean energy sector workforce,” read a statement from Jeff Saliba, business manager for the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 6.

“This facility will become home to Insulators’ training programs, enhance the training experience for our apprentices, and enable us to provide specialized instruction on the installation and maintenance of removable insulation blankets.”

The specialized blankets, he pointed out, are made from layers of insulation materials and need to be fastened to valves, exhaust manifolds, and other mechanical items. Once installed, they maximize efficiency and regulate temperatures, thereby improving workplace safety.

Saliba said the investment is to prepare apprentices for the green energy sector where insulation specialists will be vital.

“Our apprenticeships offer practical training, hands-on experience, lead to nationally recognized credentials, and provide opportunities for residents in diverse communities throughout Greater Boston to get well-paying union jobs in the construction trades,” he wrote.

“Insulation and insulators will play a crucial role in the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proper mechanical insulation lowers energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, a major contributor to climate change.”

More details on the new training center are expected to be announced in the near future, union leaders said.