October 2024 Employment Overview

Construction gained 300 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 7,700 were added.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 800 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,300 were lost.

Education and Health Services lost 1,700 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 16,800 were added.

Government lost 1,000 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 5,800 were added.

Manufacturing gained 300 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 3,000 were lost.

Financial Activities gained 1,300 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 3000 were added.

Professional, Scientific, and Business Services lost over 100 jobs-the-month. Over-the-year,3,600 were added.

Other Services gained 100 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 2,100 were added.

Information lost 200 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 3,800 were lost.

Leisure and Hospitality gained 1,600 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 7,700 were added.

Detailed labor market information is available here.

Updates from D.C.

With the 2024 election in the rear view, the impacts of the election are starting to come to light in Washington as Republicans will now control the White House and Congress. While there is still much up in the air, these are the items the MWA are tracking and their potential impact to the workforce Development system. The main message is, there is much that is unknown:

Budget Reconciliation

Through the Republican majority, the House and Senate can advance significant tax, spending, and budget legislation under the budget reconciliation process, which requires only a fifty-vote majority in the Senate. This process can only deal with budgetary items, and not substantive legislation. Within the first months of the new Congress, it is likely that the focus will be on moving a budget reconciliation vehicle, including massive spending and tax cut packages. Legislation passed under the Biden administration could be on the chopping block and ideas lauded by President-elect Trump such as tariffs are on the table during budget reconciliation.

FY25 Appropriations

The most likely outcome, given the incoming Republican majority, is that Congress will extend FY24 funding through a continuing resolution through the next fiscal year. This would likely mean significant cuts to funding priorities pushed by Democrats. MWA is working with our federal partners to monitor appropriations, including Labor and Workforce Development spending proposals.

WIOA Reauthorization

With the Biden Administration on its way out, it is unlikely that there will be legislative vehicles available to Congress to pass WIOA Reauthorization prior to the new year. The Senate has still yet to release a new draft after initial drafts circulated over the summer. MWA is working with our federal partners to monitor any changes to the situation, as well as monitoring committee composition and membership headed into the new Congress. Conversations with the Massachusetts federal delegation and national conversations with our federal partners and national workforce colleagues will be of the utmost importance as we head into the new year.

RESEA Legislation Passed

Congress passed the BRIDGE for Workers Act to provide RESEA to all UI claimants. The BRIDGE for Workers Act clarifies that reemployment services can be provided to all UI claimants, not just those most likely to exhaust their benefits. This legislation comes after legislation amending RESEA in 2018 was interpreted by the Dept. of Labor as limiting RESEA services to only those UI claimants whose benefits were likely to be exhausted. This interpretation had been addressed through appropriations; however, this legislation codified the change into permanent statute.

First Annual

WIOA Lead Elected Official Summit

The MWA in coordination with our regional workforce boards hosted a summit focused on the role of Lead Elected Officials within the workforce development system. Presentations were made by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Greg Bunn and a panel of workforce development professionals. The panel included a broad spectrum of key positions within our system. The MWA will continue to convene our partners to enhance our mission.

Co-Hosts Included:

Tony Mazzucco, General Manager Town of Norwood/LEO of

Metro South/West Workforce Region

Metro South/West Workforce Board

Massachusetts Workforce Association

Massachusetts Municipal Association

Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development

Workforce Board Chairs and Directors

Panel members pictured above from left to right are: Kara Galvin-O'Donnell, Executive Director of the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board, Colleen Moran, Board Chair, Masshire Metro North Workforce Board, Alysia Ordway, Undersecretary, Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development, Tony Mazzucco, Norwood Town Manager & LEO for Metro South/West Region, Cole Angley, Executive Director, MWA, Greg Bunn, Executive Director, Metro South/West Workforce Board