April 22, 2024
Representative Ronald Mariano, Speaker
Massachusetts House of Representatives
State House, Room 356
Boston, MA 02133
Aaron Michlewitz, Chair
House Committee on Ways and Means
State House, Room 243
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz:
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 2025 budget. The MBCS is encouraged to see significant investments in skills development, which includes over $29,000,000 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 FY24 level 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. The coalition urges maintaining level funding for Learn to Earn (7002-1080), Registered Apprenticeship Expansions (7003-0151), and School-to-Career Connecting Activities to match FY24 funding levels.
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 and urges the House to adopt amendment #1265 to match FY24 spending.
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 and the coalition urges increasing funding for this item to match FY24 levels.
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. The coalition urges the adoption of Amendment #840, increasing funding for this item to match FY24 levels.
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
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