WORKFORCE CONNECTIONS - Vol. 56 | |
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In This Issue:
- State & Federal Policy Updates: State Legislative Updates, Stipend Program, WIOA
- MWA Updates: Member Updates, Game Changers Business and Conference Expo Registration
- News From Around the Sector: Jobs, funding, news and updates
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State Legislature Update
While formal legislative sessions ended on July 31, 2024, the State Legislature continues to work through priority legislation that was not completed during the formal 2-year session. In a rather unprecedented move – the House and Senate have passed legislation during recess this August and September – and leadership indicated they continue to work on other major bills through the fall. Since the end of formal sessions, the legislature has passed and the Governor has signed; Maternal Health Legislation, Long-term care legislation, Federal Matching funds legislation and an expansion in the number of Boston liquor licenses.
Economic Development Bill
While there have been several key bills passed, the Legislature’s Economic Development Bill remains in negotiations, despite pressure from business groups and advocacy organizations from across the state. The Economic Development Bill importantly included language to unlock funding from the Workforce Investment Trust fund to allocate some $30 million dollars currently in the fund to workforce development programs and initiatives.
The Legislature would likely need to call a formal legislative session during recess for formal votes to be cast to authorize the bonding and spending within the Economic Development bill. The House’s legislation included $3.4 billion in long-term bond authorization and an additional $700 million in tax credits. The Senate’s version included $2.86 billion in long term spending. The bond authorization included target investments in key sectors of the Commonwealth’s economy, including reinvestments into the life sciences sector and clean energy climate technology and offshore wind.
Advocates are hopeful action will be taken during October prior to the November elections. MWA will provide members with updates when action is taken on the Economic Development Legislation.
Gov. Healey Launches Stipend Program for Jobseekers in Training
The Massachusetts Workforce Skills Fund was launched in September by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, a pilot program that provides stupes for Massachusetts residents in training. Eligible participants enrolled in the Career Technical initiative or Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund training programs can be eligible to receive stipends up to $5,000. The Administration said the fund targets high-demand industries, and works to provide financial support for trainees that could otherwise come under financial stress during training.
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August 2024 Unemployment Rate and Economic Analysis | |
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On September 20th, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development released the unemployment rate for August 2024 and the revised rate for July 2024. Click here to read the 09/20/24 state press release. The August estimates show 3,701,100 Massachusetts residents were employed and 143,100 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,844,200. The unemployment rate at 3.7 percent was 0.2 percentage points higher than the revised July rate of 3.5 percent. Over-the-month, the August labor force increased by 15,500 from 3,828,700 in July, with 5,300 more residents employed and 10,300 more residents unemployed.
The labor force participation rate, the share of the working age population employed and unemployed, increased by 0.2 percentage points to 66.3 percent. The labor force was up 91,400 from the August 2023 estimate of 3,752,800 following the annual revision, with 73,200 more employed residents, and 18,300 more unemployed residents.
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August 2024 Employment Overview
Construction gained 1,600 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 6,600 were added.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities gained 1,400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,500 were added.
Education and Health Services gained 1,400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 21,200 were added.
Government gained 800 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 10,800 were added.
Manufacturing gained 700 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 5,400 were lost.
Financial Activities gained 200 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,900 were added.
Professional, Scientific, and Business Services had no change in 0 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 400 were lost.
Other Services lost 700 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 2,100 were added.
Information lost 1,200 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 5,200 were lost.
Leisure and Hospitality lost 2,900 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 6,900 were added.
Detailed labor market information is available here.
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Updates from D.C.
Congress was able to pass a temporary budget that would fund the Federal Government at current levels through December of 2025, with the only notable increase in spending on the Secret Service. Congress punted on long-term spending decisions until after the 2024 election, after failed attempts to include legislation to require proof of citizenship to register to vote was attached by Republicans. Congress will have to return and address spending again in the Winter.
WIOA Update
WIOA Reauthorization continues to stall in the U.S. Senate, as no redraft has been released by the Senate HELP Committee after an initial draft was released over the summer. However, the Senate HELP Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee has agreed to work through a potential pre-conference negotiation to address differences between the Senate and House WIOA proposals. It is important to note that this negotiation is still not guaranteed, and any specific timeline will be dependent on Congress meeting between now and the end of the year.
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MWA Welcomes Kara O'Donnell-Galvin to it's
Board of Directors
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kara, Executive Director of the Cape and Islands Workforce Board as a Workforce Board Representative. We are confident that Kara's insights and over twenty years experience in Workforce Development will help us navigate challenges and seize new opportunities ahead. MWA's full list of Board of Director's can be found here.
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Save the date! Thursday, November 7th 8-10 AM
Join us for a morning of networking and learn from experts about strategies and best practices to support caregivers in the workplace.
Keynote: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones & Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh
When: Thursday, November 7th 8-10am
Where: In Person-
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Innovation Center is located on the 2nd floor at:
101 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02199
Register here.
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Congratulations to Pamela Wojtkowski, MassHire Berkshire Career Center's newest Executive Director!
Pam recently served as the Career Center's Manager of Programs and has over 25 years experience in Workforce Development.
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& Veterans Inc. Host a Department of Labor Training Program
On Tuesday, September 17th, local veterans took advantage of the Off-Base Transition Training Program, offered for the first time to Western Mass Veterans, Reservists, Guardsman and Spouses. This opportunity to learn how to take control of their employment goals, consisted of a career exploration workshop focused on interest profiling, skills matching, and labor market information. A second workshop detailed the federal hiring process, civil service and resources to help land a federal job.
The event was made possible through a partnership with Veterans Inc. and the Veterans’ Employment & Training Service of the United States Department of Labor.
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The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Presents: |
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE SECTOR | |
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There are so many job postings and funding announcements, we moved our News from Around the Sector section to our website, where you can access the news, jobs, funding announcements and more anytime throughout the month. Go to: www.massworkforce.com/around-the-sector.
Here is a just sample of the events, funding opportunities, jobs, and more posted on our website:
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Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest workforce news and updates. | | | | |
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