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Skill Building through YouthWorks

In today’s economy, it is difficult for young adults to find jobs. Unless you have legitimate work experience on your résumé, few employers are willing to give you a chance.

Youth Accomplishments Celebrated at 3rd Annual ‘Share Your Art, Share Your Voice’ Showcase

Art is often created for entertainment – to be consumed or invested in. But for the young people in the DYS Arts Initiative, art is a vehicle for healing, growth and learning.

Incumbent Worker Training – Investing in People to Invest in Your Business

The value of incumbent worker training is being recognized by high profile policymakers and business and labor leaders.  President Obama referenced the importance of incumbent worker training in his April 25, 2015 address on the proposed US trade deal. 

A Proven Model to Address Regional Workforce Challenges

Sector partnerships bring together business, education and workforce organizations to design and deliver training and work experiences that are relevant to an industry and specific occupations.  Sector partnerships prepare and place people who are unemployed or underemployed in jobs that are in demand and/or upgrade the skills of incumbent workers.

Safe & Successful Youth Initiative Yields Positive Results

An evaluation conducted by the independent American Institute of Research (AIR) of Massachusetts Safe & Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI) found that over the last two years SSYI engaged cities experiences 139 fewer violent crimes on average per month compared to non-SSYI municipalities.

Responding to Health Care Industry Changes

Health care employers have been critical workforce development partners over the past fifteen years.  Through the ups and downs of economic cycles, the health care industry has been steadily hiring, with many good jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree.

Malden High School Accepts 25 Students into New YouthWorks Plus Program

We had the pleasure of joining Malden High School staff, faculty, and students, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and the Metro North Regional Employment Board to celebrate the acceptance of 25 Malden High School students into the new YouthWorks Plus program.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Talent Today

We are in the midst of a youth employment crisis.  Employment among teens in Massachusetts has dropped by nearly half since the late 1990s, from 54 percent in 1999 to just 27 percent in 2013. About half of today’s high school students have not had any job experience, leaving these young people at a significant disadvantage in the future.

$8.2 Million Awarded for Employee Training

The latest round of Workforce Training Fund Program grants was announced during a visit to United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), a grant recipient. UPS will use their $200,000 grant to train 600 Massachusetts-based employees and create 50 new jobs. The grant will help UPS implement software designed to help drivers optimize delivery routes and the placement of packages within delivery vehicles to maximize efficiency.

Healthcare Payment & Delivery Reform Presentation Recap

Payment Reform in Massachusetts: Impact & Opportunities for the Healthcare Workforce was held on July 9, 2014 at Salem State University. Jessica Larochelle from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation presented an overview of the forces driving payment and delivery system reform, payment and delivery system reform efforts in the state, and the implications for the workforce.