June 20, 2023
Dear FY24 Conference Committee Members,
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 Legislature’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 $37,384,105 in proposed funding for line items that will create work-based learning opportunities, support essential skills development, and enhance Career Vocational/Technical Education (CVTE). The coalition urges the Conference Committee to advance bold investments for workforce development.
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 while earning a paycheck to ensure economic stability while training for labor market relevant careers. 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 Conference Committee to adopt the House funding level of $4,979,286 for Registered Apprenticeship Expansion (7003-0151) and adopt the House funding level of $9,000,000 for School-to-Career Connecting Activities (7027-0019).
| Line Item | Line Item Description | FY 2024 |
| 7003-0151 | Registered Apprenticeship Expansion | $4,979,286 |
| 7027-0019 | School-to-Career Connecting Activities | $9,000,000 |
Young Adult Career Pathways
The YouthBuild program’s track record of success in helping out-of-school young adults achieve a high school diploma and the necessary credentials to start a career in construction supports both our most vulnerable youth and a thriving talent pipeline for the construction industry. It is particularly important to support this pipeline development with the need for more housing to be built in the coming years to address the Commonwealth’s housing shortage. The coalition supports funding this effort to create upwardly mobile opportunities for the Commonwealth’s young people and urges the Conference Committee to adopt the Senate funding level of $3,000,000 for YouthBuild Grants (7061-9626).
| Line Item | Line Item Description | FY 2024 |
| 7061-9626 | YouthBuild Grants | $3,000,000 |
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 skilled, 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 provide level-funding with the House for Career Technical Institutes. The Coalition urges the Conference Committee to adopt the House funding level of $20,404,819 for Career Technical Institutes (7002-1091).
| Line Item Line Item Description | ||
| 7002-1091 | Career Technical Institutes | $20,404,819 |
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.
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