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          Corean Reynold was recently appointed the Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston, where she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering an equitable and thriving nightlife ecosystem.

          10/04/2023

          6:00pm - 7:30pm

          Roundhead Brewing Company

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          2023 Government Affairs Forum: State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

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          9:45am - 11:00am

          Bank of America

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          MA Apprentice Network Fall Quarterly Event

          Learn about new ways of utilizing the professional apprenticeship model to create diverse, sustainable, and scalable talent pipelines.

          10/12/2023

          10:00am - 11:30am

          Edenred

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  • Learning & Development
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          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          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
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          arrow-go
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          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
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          09/12/2023 -

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          Greater Boston

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Skills Coalition Urges Strategic Workforce Investments from FY24

June 20, 2023

 

Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair House Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 243 Boston, MA 02133
Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair Senate Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 212 Boston, MA 02133
Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Vice Chair House Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 238 Boston, MA 02133
Senator Cindy Friedman, Vice Chair Senate Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 313 Boston, MA 02133
Representative Todd Smola, Ranking Minority House Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 124 Boston, MA 02133
Senator Patrick O’Connor, Ranking Minority Senate Committee on Ways and Means, State House, Room 419 Boston MA 02133

 

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.

 

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

 

Download the letter.

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