1.1   Design and develop a cohesive, coordinated workforce development system with clear leadership (four action items)

Contact: Mary Beth Campbell

1.1.1 Build a coordinated system with clear leadership that meaningfully includes all “middle skills” education and workforce training providers, such as community colleges and other higher education institutions, vocational-technical schools, workforce investment boards, community-based organizations and unions, together with coordinated participation by employers, and that directs funding to the most effective providers for each workforce need

CY2012 Progress:

  • Director of Workforce Development – A new position was created to coordinate efforts across secretariats – Executive Offices of Economic Development, Education, and Labor and Workforce Development. This position was filled by Marybeth Campbell.
  • Strategic Plan – Secretaries Bialecki, Reville, and Goldstein developed a strategic plan for building a robust workforce
  • Career Pathways Committee – this Committee was created within the Mass Workforce Investment Board to identify and scale career pathway models and develop statewide practice for regional strategic planning. The Committee is comprised of the Workforce Investment Board, community college, state university, K-12, vocational schools, labor, CBO and business leaders.
  • Leadership – Governor Patrick hosted the first meeting of the Commonwealth’s community college Board Chairs to discuss the implementation of the community college plan. The fifteen newly-appointed Chairs will partner with the Administration to create a more integrated, effective community college system responsive to both local and statewide employer needs that gives community colleges additional capacity to expand student access to high-quality, relevant educational and training programs.

1.1.2 Develop and build awareness of education and workforce training pathways that provide continuing “stackable” opportunities for additional achievement, from internship, apprenticeship, certificate and licensure programs through associate, bachelor’s and advanced degree programs--building on current pathways initiatives within our education and workforce training sectors

CY2012 Progress:

  • The US Department of Labor issued a $20 Million grant to 15 Community Colleges to create collaborative, statewide change in the delivery system of education and training programs for workers eligible under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. This program will enroll 4,000 students and place 2,800 in employment over three years.
  • Massachusetts joined the Pathways to Prosperity network to design 6-year career pathways in three key regional labor markets beginning with 9th grade through attainment of a degree or certificate and employment with participating business.
  • MA Association of Vocational Administrators and MA Executive Office of Community Colleges recently signed six new statewide articulation agreements to allow vocational students to enroll at any community college and be awarded credits for work completed at the vocational high school level. It also supports a seamless continuum of education for students while streamlining the agreement process.
  • Lieutenant Governor announced Massachusetts received a $300,000 national grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help current and future nurses seeking to advance their academic preparation within the nursing profession to enhance the Administration’s overall plan to support jobs, education and workforce development and helps to address the growing demands and challenges of the health care environment currently facing the country. The Board of Higher Education endorsed Nursing and Allied Health Workforce Plan.

1.1.3 Develop consistent evaluation and accountability measures within the coordinated system to assess the quality and effectiveness of programs, including performance incentives

CY2012 Progress:

  • Measuring the Business Impact of Workforce Development – Commonwealth Corporation’s report examines the challenges and opportunities of measuring the impact of workforce development programs on employers.
  • Interagency Policy and Performance Team – This team comprised of a cross section of key stakeholders focused on alignment of state and regional priorities and designing career pathways to meet business and worker needs.
  • The FY13 Community College Funding Formula Requirement includes:
    • Accurate enrollment data for each college
    • Operational goals and requirements
    • Institutional performance with clearly defined metrics
    • Relationship of allocation formula to state initiatives relative to innovation and institutional action supporting workforce development

1.1.4 Protect and maintain full funding of currently well-performing programs such as the Workforce Training Fund

CY2012 Progress:

  • Workforce Training Fund established as a Trust thereby maintaining full funding explicitly workforce training activities.
  • Awards were made to 87 companies in January 2013.