SkillWorks announces $10 million goal for Workforce Development Initiative

Regional partnership announces $4.7 M in hand for skills training programs

June 3, 2008 (Boston, Mass.) – SkillWorks: Partners for a Productive Workforce announced today that more than $4.5 million has been raised to support workforce development in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The pioneering initiative also announced that it was going forward with a second phase of the program, which will raise a total of $10 million to support new workforce partnerships in growing economic sectors in Boston and public policy efforts across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A request for proposals for those interested in applying for a workforce grant from SkillWorks is available on the initiative’s Web site at www.skill-works.org.

“SkillWorks has helped a lot of people in the city of Boston find jobs and careers,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who spoke at the launch event today. “I am glad that SkillWorks will be opening doors around new employment opportunities for workers in Boston’s neighborhoods.”

The City of Boston’s Neighborhood Jobs Trust is one of the main funders of the SkillWorks initiative along with The Boston Foundation, The Clowes Fund, Inc., The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Microsoft Corporation, The National Fund for Workforce Solutions, The State Street Foundation, and The United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley.

“SkillWorks demonstrates the kind of innovative thinking that will help keep Boston and the entire region economically competitive as we face increased globalization,” said Paul Grogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Boston Foundation, who took part in today’s announcement. “This initiative brings together employers, community agencies, philanthropic institutions and area residents to maintain the talent pool Greater Boston needs to thrive.”

Today’s event featured a roundtable discussion from employers – including Beverley Sobers from Brigham & Women’s Hospital, UNICCO president George Keches, and Brian Burke from Microsoft Corporation discussing the benefits that the kind of workforce development programs that SkillWorks has pioneered has brought to their companies and industries. Both Brigham & Women’s and UNICCO were a part of SkillWorks’s Phase I Workforce Partnerships. Additionally, Dr. Gary Gottlieb, president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and chair of the Boston Private Industry Council, spoke on behalf of SkillWorks as a national model.

In Phase I of the SkillWorks Initiative, six Workforce Partnerships, which were comprised of community-based organizations, industry association, employers, colleges, and other training providers, offered training and educational opportunities to employees that helped them find and retain career path jobs. Trainings included English-language and computer classes, career coaching, and industry-based skills. SkillWorks also promoted change in the workforce development system at the state level. The initiative was instrumental in winning $30.5 million in new state investment in workforce development through the 2004 and 2006 state economic stimulus packages, including a fund to support workforce partnerships around the state and a program to help working adults attend community colleges for workforce training. Phase II will continue the initiative’s work in advocating for workforce development programs across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Nearly 3,000 workers have received skills training,” said Loh-Sze Leung, Director of the SkillWorks initiative. “Nearly 500 workers were placed in jobs and more than 250 received promotions during the first phase of SkillWorks. Additionally, we provided the model for similar programs in other cities, including Baltimore, New York City, and San Francisco as well as the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. We anticipate that Phase II will have a similarly positive impact on workers in Massachusetts and throughout Boston.”

Originally released by Skillworks