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Middle-Skills Solutions Act (Senate Docket 1547; House Docket 3180)
SkillWorks and the Workforce Solutions Group are very excited to share the great news that the Middle-Skills Solutions Act: An act establishing a middle skills council and regional skills academies in the Commonwealth was filed by Senator Ken Donnelly and Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera last Friday, January 21.
This bill, based on the recommendations of the Skills2Compete Massachusetts campaign launched last summer, aims to draw attention to and increase the success of non-traditional students in post-secondary education and training.
Now we need your help!
Please call your representative and senator and ask them to co-sponsor the Middle-Skills Solutions Act (Senate 1547 and House 3180). The deadline for co-sponsorship is February 4, so we need you to make these calls immediately!
Download a copy of the bill.
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Workforce Development Funding Opportunities
Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Applications due February 11, 2011.Commonwealth Corporation has announced a solicitation for grant applications under the state's Workforce Training Fund. Employers, training organizations, labor organizations and intermediaries are eligible to apply for grants of up to $250,000 for investment in employee training. The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Program is a state program, financed by Massachusetts businesses, for the purpose of providing resources to employers to better train Massachusetts workers. View the announcement and further resources for applicants. Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program Applications due April 21, 2011. The U.S. Department of Labor announced a solicitation of grant applications for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. This program complements President Obama's goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. The Labor Department will award approximately $500 million this year through the program. Eligible applicants are community colleges or other two-year degree granting institutions. First round applications are due by April 21, 2011. Colleges are required to partner with at least one employer. View the press announcement, which includes links to the conference call audio and grant announcement. |
 SkillWorks Receives Social Innovation Fund Award
SkillWorks has been awarded $600,000 in new funding to expand its innovative approaches to job training and career support from the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Senator Thomas McGee, Chairman of Labor and Workforce Committee, hosted a brief announcement last month at the State House to celebrate expansion of the successful program. Fred Dedrick, Executive Director of the National Fund presented the award to SkillWorks and participants and employers from the SkillWorks initiative spoke about the importance of workforce training.
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Nyunt Htay (Hotel Training Center Participant), Senator Thomas McGee, Loh-Sze Leung (SkillWorks), Fred Dedrick (National Fund for Workforce Solutions)
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Senator McGee said, "It is great that this grant will allow many Massachusetts residents the opportunity to improve their skills and obtain career support in preparing for future jobs. The SkillWorks program really impacts the quality of life of many workers across the state."
The grant is part of a $5.5 million award given by the federal government's Social Innovation Fund, a landmark White House program that addresses community challenges by growing high-impact nonprofit organizations delivering proven solutions.
SkillWorks will receive $600,000 over two years to expand its existing activities/infrastructure as well as to add some significant new services for participants. Read more about the grant. |
 Participant Profile: Nyunt Htay
Nyunt Htay, a participant in the Hotel Training Center led by BEST Corp, spoke recently at the State House about his experiences in SkillWorks-funded training programs. Nyunt, a recent immigrant to the U.S. and a housekeeping houseman at the W Hotel, embodies cheerful determination.
Nyunt came to the U.S. three years ago from Myanmar. He got connected with services at the Hotel Training Center and started taking English, GED and computer classes.
He started in the Level 1 computer class and is now in the highest level computer class. "I have learned a lot in this class. Now I know how to use a computer, and I have an email address. I know how to use Google, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google maps, and many things. [I even] gave a PowerPoint presentation to my class!"
"When I went to apply for my job at the hotel they asked me many things on the computer. I knew I needed computer skills. This is the Starwood Standard. If you don't have the computer skills they don't give you the job."
Nyunt hopes to work in an office one day, perhaps at the W. In the meantime, he is learning more about computers and taking advantage of training to improve his skills.
"Because of the BEST Corp Training Center, my family is very happy. I appreciate all the help I have received. Thank you for everything."
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SkillWorks Partners Ring in the New Year, New Grants
On January 6, 2011, SkillWorks and partners celebrated the beginning of the new year as well as the accomplishments of 2010 at the Hotel Training Center (HTC). HTC culinary training participants prepared and served appetizers, drinks, while grantees, funders, businesses, participants and partners met and mingled. SkillWorks also made the following grant announcements: |
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Join us for a Clean Energy Jobs Webinar 2/2/11
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, the New England Clean Energy Council, and SkillWorks invite you to join us for a webinar demonstration of the recently launched Massachusetts Clean Energy Education and Training Directory. Date: Wednesday, February 2nd Time: 1:30pm to 2:30pm Register Today View the MassCEC's January 19th Press Release |
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Director's Remarks
| Happy New Year!
SkillWorks has started off the year with a flurry of activities. We're especially excited about two developments: the filing of the Middle Skills Solutions Act and the opportunity to expand our work with the Social Innovation Fund grant award.
These are difficult times, and it's especially important that policymakers, funders and community advocates continue to fight for training investments that provide opportunities for workers and strengthen businesses.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Loh-Sze Leung
Director
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New Job Opportunity: SkillWorks College Navigation Coach
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SkillWorks Funders
The Barr Foundation
The Boston Foundation
Chorus Foundation
The City of Boston's Neighborhood Jobs Trust
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Garfield Foundation
The Hyams Foundation
The Clowes Fund, Inc
Microsoft Corporation
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation
State Street Foundation
Surdna Foundation
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley |
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SkillWorks Partnerships
Chinatown Green Collar Career Pathways Initiative
Emergency Medical Careers Partnership
Energy Efficiency Technician Apprenticeship Program
Healthcare Training Institute
Hotel Training Center
Workforce Solutions Group
Year Up Financial Services Partnership |
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About SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce
SkillWorks is an ambitious effort on the part of philanthropy, government, community organizations, unions, and employers to respond to Massachusetts' workforce crisis. SkillWorks' goal is to create a workforce development system that helps low-skill, low-to-moderate income residents move to family-sustaining jobs and helps employers find and retain skilled employees. It is the largest public/private investment in workforce development in Boston's history.
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