The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the expansion of job training programs for individuals who face barriers to employment, including those staying in Emergency Assistance (EA) shelters. These programs are part of the administration’s efforts to meet the needs of the state’s employers who are looking to hire skilled talent and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with the training they need to get jobs and move out of shelter into more stable housing.

The administration has created a new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) for Employment program to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with ESOL training, job placement programs and career wrap around services. Eligible applicants, including community-based organizations, training providers, employers, community colleges, and industry associations, are encouraged to apply at the Commonwealth Corporation website. The program is open to work authorized individuals who are eligible for EA, which includes both long-term Massachusetts families and newly arrived immigrant families.

“Employers across Massachusetts have job openings in high-demand fields like health care, manufacturing, human services and hospitality. We also have individuals in EA shelter who have their work authorizations, who want to contribute to our communities and economy, and who want to move their families out of shelter into more stable housing,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These programs help us meet all of those needs by providing EA residents with the training they need to succeed in the workplace and connecting them directly with employers who are hiring. We’re grateful to the Legislature for their continued partnership as we work to lessen the strain on the EA system and strengthen our economy.”

“Training and job placement programs provide more access to underserved communities while helping our businesses stay competitive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We know language is a barrier to employment and that’s why the administration has launched a cross-secretariat effort to increase ESOL programs across the state, which will improve worker skills and productivity for our businesses.”

The administration has also made additional funding available for current 劳动力竞争力信托基金 (WCTF) awardees to incorporate additional cohorts or slots into preexisting, currently active grants, including Kenneth Donnelly Success grants, ESOL Continuation grants and Healthcare and Behavioral Health Hub grants. The WCTF invests in initiatives aimed at increasing access to well-paying jobs for residents facing employment barriers and improving the competitive stature of Massachusetts businesses by enhancing worker skills and productivity.

The funding for these programs was provided for in the April 2024 supplemental budget and distributed by the Commonwealth Corporation.

Additionally, the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) have made $500,000 available for training programs for individuals and families in the Emergency Assistance program or in temporary respite sites across the state.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been intentional in our efforts to connect work-authorized individuals with job training and placement, and these grants will help this effort by providing necessary workforce supports for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “EOLWD looks forward to working with applicants as they provide vital ESOL training and help individuals and families foster economic stability.”

“On behalf of the Administration, CommCorp is proud to administer these new job training grants to committed training partners across Massachusetts,” said Commonwealth Corporation President and CEO Molly Jacobson. “This funding will support employers, training providers, and regional partners breaking down barriers for thousands of jobseekers, particularly those experiencing homelessness.”

The grants are part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s strategic workforce development investments to break down barriers to employment for work authorized individuals and connect them with jobs and training in sectors such as health care and human services, retail, food services, hospitality, and manufacturing. Last year, Governor Healey successfully advocated for U.S. Department of Homeland Security to hold a work authorization clinic in Massachusetts and processing times have significantly increased. Since November 2023, the administration has helped nearly 4,000 immigrants get work authorizations and nearly 1,465 have been enrolled in ESOL classes. Across the system, nearly 2,000 EA residents have gotten jobs.

Statements of Support

Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy):

“The House is committed to protecting the emergency assistance program’s long-term viability, which is why we required through legislation that folks in the shelter system receive ample support to successfully enter the workforce. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for expanding their job training programs and for creating a new ESOL program. These programs will be critical in ensuring that people exit the shelter system in a timely manner while meeting the needs of employers who are looking for talent.”

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):

“Today’s announcement is an important proactive step by the Healey-Driscoll Administration towards solving two of our most vexing problems: our workforce shortage and our strained shelter system. We will be training a new segment of the workforce for well-paying, high demand jobs that our businesses are eager to fill, while creating opportunities for long-term stability for residents who are currently a part of the shelter system.”

Kristin Shaver, Executive Director, Shore Educational Collaborative: “Working collaboratively with the Healey-Driscoll Administration we were able to create a pilot program to recruit and hire twelve staff from emergency assistance shelters to work in our day programs, supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As part of the pilot program, the EOLWD provided ESOL classes. Incorporating these classes into our training process has been critical to our success. By combining language learning with on-the-job training, we’ve been able to fill critical staffing gaps, and better support the individuals in our programs. We have seen significant improvement in the English proficiency of our new hires since July and that would not have been possible without this program.”