Workforce Solutions Group MA

SkillWorks is proud and excited to announce two major public policy wins that have been made possible by so many of our dedicated and deeply engaged partners in the #immigrant and #workforce development communities, including community based organizations and leaders, business groups, administration officials and lawmakers. 1)    An Act to Promote #Economic Mobility Through #ESOL was filed in the Senate (SD.2275) by Senator Paul Feeney and in the House (HD.4137) by Representatives Manny Cruz and Rita Mendes, which calls for a statewide ESOL for economic mobility strategy and pilot expansion of #English classes and supports to facilitate #job attainment and upward economic mobility for thousands of our immigrant neighbors. 2)    Statewide Strategy for #Vocational ESOL included in Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey FY25 Supplemental Budget – the Healey administration proposes a $30M (!!) investment over the next 2 years to expand capacity across all parts of the workforce and ESOL systems to serve an additional 10,000 #learners. These efforts are all in alignment with ESOL stakeholder advocacy groups, including those convened by SkillWorks and The Boston Foundation, and with research and recommendations from MassINC – MA Needs an Actionable Strategy to Expand ESOL Services. https://lnkd.in/e_rrtyPg THANK YOU to all partners, advocates, and stakeholders for all your work and we look forward to continue working with you to continue making progress on these proposals! CARIBBEAN YOUTH CLUB INC Workforce Solutions Group MA Massachusetts Business Roundtable Massachusetts AFL-CIO Economic Mobility Pathways - EMPath Massachusetts Workforce Association Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES ACTION NETWORK INC United Way of Massachusetts Bay Lew Finfer JVS Boston International Institute of New England Catholic Charities Boston English for New Bostonians Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges UMass Donahue Institute Eastern Bank EASTERN BANK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION JEWISH ALLIANCE FOR LAW AND SOCIAL ACTION INC Cindy Rowe JFS of Metrowest The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) Massachusetts Executive Office of Education Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Commonwealth Corporation Secretary Lauren Jones ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR #wkdev #workforcedevelopment #jobs #economicmobility #careerpathways #mapoli #publicpolicy #budget #malegislature

The Workforce Solutions Group MA was excited to attend today’s bill signing by Governor Maura Healey for the Mass Leads Act - a bold economic development package that makes many historic investments in the workforce needed to drive our economic growth! It is a great example of the thoughtful investments that come from the hard work and determination of both the Governor, Lt. Governor and their team, and the legislative leadership provided by Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Rodrigues and their colleagues.

Join us for a webinar this Friday to learn more about the WCTF Senator Donnelly grant program! The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) is currently accepting applications for the Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grants. The grants, administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet, focus on funding training and job placement programs that enhance business competitiveness through a skilled workforce. Organizations interested in applying for this grant are encouraged to join us this Friday at 11 a.m. for a webinar to learn more about this funding opportunity and the application process. For details and the Zoom link, visit https://buff.ly/4eTIis6

Thanks to Workforce Solutions Group MA for hosting this very timely panel “Welcoming Newcomers to Massachusetts: Workforce, Education and Immigration Challenges and Opportunities” as part of the Mass Jobs and Workforce Summit. Great to be with Sarah Joseph, MSW, Thomas Hooper Alex Train and Lorie Martiska and so many others in the room dedicated to working together to ensure our newest neighbors have the English and workforce tools they need to be safe, gain economic stability and fully contribute to the commonwealth. Communication, collaboration, coordination, cultural competence and a lotta heart ❤️ . We can do this! English for New Bostonians Lewis Finfer Tonja Mettlach JD Chesloff Tim Sullivan Katherine Mainzer Kaitlyn Bean Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Earlier today, Claudia Green, Executive Director of ENB, participated as a panelist at the 15th Annual MA Jobs and Workforce Summit. The panel, moderated by Thomas Hooper from Sector Pathways Commonwealth Corporation, discussed "Welcoming Newcomers to Massachusetts: Workforce, Education and Immigration Challenges and Opportunities." The panel was joined by Alex Train from La Colaborativa, Sarah Joseph, MSW from The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), and Lorie Martiska from Open Sky Community Services. The event also featured other speakers and panelists such as Tim Sullivan/Workforce Solutions Group MA, Lisa Murray /Citizens, and Undersecretary Josh Cutler / The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD). Other notable participants included Rahsaan D. Hall / Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, MJ Ryan / Workforce Development Mass General Brigham, Senator Paul Feeney, Chrissy Lynch / Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Kade Crockford /ACLU of Massachusetts, Pelin Bicen/Suffolk University, and Andrea L . Russo/ Microsoft State Government Affairs. ENB is honored to be part of this important conversation on the challenges and opportunities related to workforce development in Massachusetts.

Had a terrific time at the Workforce Solutions Group MA 15th Annual Jobs and Workforce Summit today. Congratulations Josh Cutler on winning the 2024 Kathie Mainzer award for excellence in workforce development. And what a treat for me that I got to see Brittany Raposa!

Today, Team CommCorp proudly attended Workforce Solutions Group MA's 15th Annual MA Jobs and Workforce Summit, proudly sponsored by the Commonwealth Corporation Foundation. This year's summit underscored innovation and collaboration as vital components for effective workforce and economic development in the commonwealth.   Thomas Hooper, Vice President of Sector Pathways at Commonwealth Corporation, moderated a panel discussion Titled “Welcoming Newcomers to Massachusetts: Workforce, Education, and Immigration Challenges and Opportunities,” featuring insightful discussions from grantees and partners: Claudia Green, Executive Director, English for New Bostonians; Alex Train, Chief Operating Officer, La Colaborativa; Sarah Joseph, Director of Community Engagement, The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD); and Lorie Martiska, Executive Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer, Open Sky Community Services.  Together, these panelists engaged in important discussions about creating inclusive pathways for immigrants and newcomers to contribute to and thrive within the Massachusetts workforce.   Today's summit reinforced our collective commitment to building a more inclusive workforce through innovation, collaboration, communication, and coordination. Special congratulations to EOLWD Undersecretary of Apprenticeship, Work-Based Learning, and Policy Josh Cutler for being named the 2024 Kathie Mainzer Award recipient! ____ 📷  CommCorp: Adam Cutler, Cynthia S., Joelle Fabrizio, Raquel Jorge Fernandes, Alanna Mallon, Thomas Hooper, Tommy Heavren, MSW, Perla Piantini, Lucila J. Santana. #MAJobsSummit24

Thank you to the Workforce Solutions Group MA and Massachusetts Business Roundtable today for convening this important discussion! It was amazing to see so many people in one place who care about empowering Massachusetts resident by providing pathways to successful careers. And a big congrats to The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) Undersecretary Josh Cutler for being chosen as this year's 2024 Kathie Mainzer award - well deserved 👏

WSG's first-ever live podcast #TheRippleEffect hosted by Marybeth Campbell, President & CEO, Worcester Community Action Council, Ron Waddel, Founder & Exec. Director, Legendary Legacies, Inc., and David Delmar Senties, Cofounder of Resilient Coders. #MAJobsSummit24

Undersecretary Josh Cutler receives the 2024 Kathie Mainzer Award for his leadership in workforce development, presented by Kathie Mainzer and Cole Angley. Congratulations! #MAJobsSummit24