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          Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg.

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          9:45am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
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MA Business Coalition on Skills Submits Testimony in Support of FY24 Budget

April 21, 2023

The Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills (MBCS), a coalition of 27 diverse business organizations that support strengthening workforce skills development programs and policies, appreciates the House’s prioritization of reskilling our workforce of today and tomorrow in the FY 2024 budget. The MBCS is encouraged to see significant investments in skills development, which includes $42,935,257 to fund line items that will create work-based learning opportunities, support essential skills development, and enhance Career Vocational/Technical Education (CVTE). The coalition urges the legislature to maintain this critical funding for workforce development and to adopt amendments enhancing these items.

Experiential Learning
Employers embrace experiential learning models because they are proven ways to strengthen both essential and job-specific skills. Models like learn to earn and apprenticeships benefit employees who develop skills in a real work environment. Employers also benefit because they can train employees with the specific skills for their industry or job needs. School-to-career connecting activities are public-private partnerships that provide similar on-the-job learning opportunities for students. We are grateful for the nearly five-fold expansion in funding for Registered Apprenticeship Expansions. The coalition urges the adoption of Amendment #216, which would expand the scope of the item and align funding towards industries considered critical by the administration. Prioritizing funding for industries underrepresented in apprenticeship programs will greatly expand the use of experiential learning.

Line Item & Description
7002-1080     Learn to Earn                                                   $300,000
7003-0151      Registered Apprenticeship Expansion        $4,979,286
7027-0019     School-to-Career Connecting Activities      $9,000,000

Essential Skills Development
Essential skills, also known as non-technical skills, are critical for career success. The coalition supports funding YouthBuild, the state’s program that prepares students to enter the workforce and develop essential skills for a successful career. The coalition urges the adoption of Amendment #1191, which would increase the funding for this line item to $3,000,000.

Line Item & Description
7061-9626    YouthBuild Grants    $2,400,000

Enhance CVTE
CVTE is an effective method for training our next generation of talent with the skills they need to be successful in the workforce. This funding increases access to CVTE for these students and others by expanding existing programs and developing new ones.

Line Item & Description
7027-0020    Career Technical Partnership Grants    $5,876,152

Support our Career Technical Institutes
Increasing funding for Career Technical Institutes will extend additional CVTE opportunities to adult learners by building out industry recognized credentialing pathways in technical and trade fields. This benefits both program participants and employers who are seeking talent amid a shortage of workers.

Line Item & Description

7002-1091    Career Technical Institutes    $20,379,819

The coalition urges the adoption of Amendment #212, which would amend line item 7002-1091. This Amendment would require the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to submit a report on vocational technical schools that are operating career technical institutes. With this reporting requirement, critical information regarding the impact of the CVTE on employment outcomes will be shared to help improve the future of technical skills training.

Thank you for prioritizing the workforce and employers of today and tomorrow. The Coalition looks forward to being a resource as the Legislature continues to prioritize skills development and attainment.

 

Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills
1Berkshire
Amplify Latinx
Bedford Area Chamber
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
Blackstone Valley Chamber
Cape Cod Chamber
Charles River Regional Chamber
Greater Boston Chamber
Kendall Square Association
Massachusetts Technology Leadership
Council (MassTLC)
Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents
Massachusetts Business Roundtable
Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
Nashoba Valley Chamber
Neponset River Regional Chamber
North Central Massachusetts Chamber
North Shore Chamber
One SouthCoast Chamber
Quincy Chamber
Retailers Association of Massachusetts
Somerville Chamber
Springfield Regional Chamber
Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council
Worcester Regional Chamber

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