Workforce Solutions Group
The Workforce Solutions Group strives to reform the Massachusetts workforce development such that it will be more effective at giving workers the skill they need to get a job that pays a family-sustaining wage and at giving employers the skilled workers they need to grow and prosper in Massachusetts.
The Workforce Solutions Group's statewide public policy and advocacy work is made possible though a three-year grant from SkillWorks, http://www.skill-works.org/ a group of local and national foundations. SkillWorks is an ambitious effort on the part of philanthropy, government, community organizations, unions, and employers to create a workforce development system that:
- Helps low-skill, low-income residents move to family-sustaining jobs; and
- Helps employers find and retain skilled employees.
The Workforce Solutions Group is a coalition led by the Crittenton Women's Union, the Massachusetts Workforce Board Association, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Center for Labor Market Studies and the Workforce Investment Association of Massachusetts
This broad coalition of workforce development organizations is dedicated to improving and reforming the Massachusetts workforce development system. Our unique strength is that we bring together a diverse range of employers, unions, education and training providers, community colleges, immigrant advocates, workforce investment boards, and interfaith organizations united by their common interest in having a strong and effective workforce development system.
WSG: The First Five Years
In its first five years, the WSG engaged hundreds of workforce development advocates across the state in creating and passing the Workforce Solutions Act of 2006 (WSA) The WSA established the $18 Million Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) job training program, which to date has trained over 3000 Massachusetts workers. The WSA further created a grant program for working adults, the Educational Rewards program, increased funding for Adult Basic Education, for One-Stop Career Centers and for School to Career Activities. In additional, the WSG established the Workforce Accountability Task Force, and developed a successful strategy allowing Massachusetts non-profits to secure federal funds from the Federal Food Stamp Employment and Training program (FSET).
Phase Two: |
The Workforce Solutions Group (WSG) launched its Phase Two campaign January 1, 2009 with the successful award of a three-year grant by the SkillWorks Funders Group. The WSG is a multi-sector partnership that develops and implements public policy advocacy activities and initiatives to:
WSG Phase Two Priorities:
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