commcorp blog

Building Confidence as Young Adults Transition to the Workforce

Lucila J. Santana — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:29:11 GMT

The Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) program in Boston has been a workforce development organization supporting individuals in achieving financial independence for over 80 years. “We work with individuals from diverse communities to help them find employment and build careers,” said Micah Fleisig, Senior Manager of Disability Services at JVS. "Our employer partnerships have led to a more inclusive workforce by hiring, developing, and retaining productive employees in Massachusetts.”

The Transitions to Work Program, part of the organization’s Disability Services Department and recently funded through the Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities, “has become one of Disability Services’ largest and most successful programs, providing support for participants as they are leaving high school and preparing for employment at a critical stage in their career development,” Fleisig explained.

Challenges such as limited work-related experience after leaving school settings and exposure to real-world workplace expectations and professional environments often concern young adults. For participants like Reese Branham-Sanchez, the program serves as a structured support system at a crucial point in their lives.

“The program has really helped me build confidence, especially when it comes to interacting with people in a professional setting, something I’ve struggled with in the past,” said Branham-Sanchez. “Before I started the Transitions to Work program, I really struggled to interact with people. When you’re my age, and you don’t have a job or something to get you out and meet people, it can be really discouraging.”

Advance Notice of Upcoming Procurement for the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program

CommCorp Team — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This notice is intended to share early information in advance of a formal procurement process. Commonwealth Corporation, on behalf of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), plans to release a Request for Proposal for the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program (RWDDP). The RFP will be made available through our website (commcorp.org) and will require online proposal submission. This grant program is designed to improve workforce outcomes among individuals returning to their communities after incarceration (i.e. returning citizens). Full details, including eligibility, participation requirements, and payment information, will be outlined in the forthcoming RFP.

Special Announcement: Expanded Access to WTFP Training Grants

CommCorp Team — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Since 2023, the Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) has implemented targeted policy adjustments to sustainably manage finite resources while experiencing unprecedented levels of participation in WTFP grant programs.

Massachusetts Launches Free Online AI Training for Residents

CommCorp Team — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Google AI Professional Certificate Training Opportunity

Thanks to the Google and the Massachusetts AI Hub, from now until December 31, 2027 all Massachusetts residents have the opportunity to obtain a “Google AI Professional Certificate” by participating in FREE online training. CommCorp encourages our employers, partners, and grantees to share this opportunity widely with jobseekers and incumbent workers in their network.

Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Javier, Director of Justice-Based Initiatives

CommCorp Team — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:43:25 GMT

Commonwealth Corporation’s justice-based initiatives, led through its access-centered justice strategies, focus on helping justice-involved youth and returning citizens rebuild stable, productive lives by connecting them to education, mental health supports, residential programming, and workforce opportunities. Programs like the Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration program and the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative provide skill-building, career pathways, and technical support to break cycles of recidivism and violence, empowering participants to successfully re-enter their communities and thrive in the workforce.

Workforce Training Grants Available

CommCorp Team — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:23:31 GMT

Now is a great time to invest in your workforce. Training grants are currently available through the Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) to help Massachusetts employers upskill incumbent workers and stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy. Why apply now?

Our Impact: Strengthening Massachusetts’ Workforce Together

CommCorp Team — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Over the last year, CommCorp, on behalf of the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, worked to create a stronger, more equitable workforce in Massachusetts. Together with our partners, we served over 33,500 people and engaged more than 2,400 employers by investing $94.5 million in training programs for businesses, under/unemployed individuals, youth, people with disabilities, and people involved in the justice system. Nearly 5,000 youth and young adults received job training and support, and 85% of participants in CommCorp’s signature sector pipeline programs received job placements to build careers that will enhance their lives and improve our communities. See how our programs are supporting upward mobility for all.

Staff Spotlight: Elizabeth Cloherty, Program Coordinator of WTFP Express

CommCorp Team — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The Express Program of the Workforce Training Fund Program provides employers fast, simple access to grant-funded training, helping businesses in Massachusetts respond to emerging needs.

CTI at 5: Five Facts About the Career Technical Initiative from its First Five Years

CommCorp Team — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In 2025, demand for skilled workers in the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors continues to rise. As the United States invests in bringing more manufacturing jobs back to our communities and modernizing infrastructure, preparing workers to fill these roles is critical. The gap is widening because more tradespeople are retiring due to the “silver wave,” while too few young people are choosing to follow in their footsteps, partly because traditional college degrees are often prioritized over trade credentials. Currently, manufacturers are able to fill only six out of every ten open positions.

YouthWorks in Action: Supporting Young People in Greater New Bedford

CommCorp Team — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

YouthWorks, a state grant program administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor, provides young people across Massachusetts with paid work experiences that help them build confidence, develop essential workplace skills, and explore career paths. Through meaningful employment, supportive mentorship, and career-readiness training, the program prepares youth and young adults ages 14-25 for long-term success while strengthening communities across the commonwealth.