The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS) is the primary agency responsible for the growth and development of Workforce Development in Massachusetts. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, MDCS works with the State Workforce Advisory Committee (SWAC), which includes a number of state agencies who are required to participate with EOLWD, MDCS to fulfill the mission, vision and goals of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). These designated agencies not only work to fulfill the mission but also work to strengthen the partnerships that support our mutually shared customers – job seekers and employers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The SWAC includes representatives from the following agencies:
- Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Adult Community Learning Services (ACLS)
- Department of Transitional Assistance
- Department of Unemployment Assistance
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
- Job Corps
- MassAbility
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
- MassHire Department of Career Services
- Youth Build Coalition
Over the course of several meetings of the SWAC, it became apparent that local area staff and managers across our respective agencies were unclear about the depth and breadth of available services across the workforce partner network. A subcommittee was convened to explore these issues. Subsequently, a cross-agency survey of staff and managers of all partner agencies reveled that may individuals within the system did not fully understand the services and specific programs offered by their peers from agency partners. Workforce University was designed to improve inter-agency communication and to provide information, resources and technical assistance to our staff and managers across our respective agencies.
Workforce University is a resource for staff to learn about the various services and special programs of the Workforce Development partner collaborations. In one location all of the agency information is incorporated on this site including descriptions of services, benefits, eligibility requirements, local office locations, contact information and more.
Moving forward we will continue to expand the training offerings to assist and expand the knowledge base of the workforce development system to include workshops and communities of practice with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.