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          4:30pm - 8:00pm

          Omni Boston Hotel

          arrow-go
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          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

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          Read More
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          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          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
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
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          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          Read More
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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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MA Business Coalition on Skills Testimony for Senate FY25 Budget Debate

May 23, 2024

 

Senator Karen Spilka, President
Massachusetts Senate
State House, Room 332
Boston, MA 02133

 

Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair
Senate Committee on Ways and Means
State House, Room 212
Boston, MA 02133

 

Dear President Spilka and Chairman Rodrigues:

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 Senate’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 $27,000,000 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 Senate to adopt several amendments that would increase funding in these key areas.

 

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 the Senate to adopt Amendment #714, offered by Senator Collins, which would increase funding for school- to-Career Connecting Activities (7027-0019) to $8,500,000.

Line Item Line Item Description FY 2025
7002-1080 Learn to Earn $300,000
7003-0151 Registered Apprenticeship Expansion $2,817,398
7027-0019 School-to-Career Connecting Activities $7,318,398

 

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 Senate to adopt Amendment #699, offered by Senator Payano, which would increase funding for this item to $3,000,000.

Line Item Line Item Description FY 2025
7061-9626 YouthBuild Grants $1,750,000

 

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 Line Item Description FY 2025
7027-0020 Career Technical Partnership Grants $5,386,584

 

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 Senate to adopt Amendment #274, offered by Senator Kennedy, which would increase funding for this item to $15,379,600.

Line Item Line Item Description FY 2025
7002-1091 Career Technical Institutes $10,379,600

 

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

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

 

Download the letter

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