Employer Workforce and Labor Resources

Interested in attracting talent? Want to upskill existing workers to drive productivity and innovation? This webpage offers a menu of resources to support business strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent and resources to maintain a safe and healthy workplace in Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

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Attract and Find Talent

Find qualified talent on MassHire JobQuest

Our MassHire JobQuest is designed to make it easier for employers to search for skilled talent. As the largest job bank in Massachusetts, it links employers with skilled professionals and connects jobseekers with opportunities posted by employers. As an employer, you can:

  • Find qualified candidates for your job openings
  • Post job vacancies directly to attract potential candidates
  • Register for recruitment events or job fairs at MassHire Career Centers

Create a free account today!

Connect with a Regional Market Maker

Market Makers are your matchmakers! Each Market Maker is deeply knowledgeable about the latest trends, training programs and resources, and industry demands in your specific region. Their mission is to guide you through Massachusetts’ expansive workforce network, facilitating connections to valuable resources for talent acquisition or employee training. Click here to meet your Market Maker.

Retain Talent

Upskill Existing and New Workers to drive productivity and innovation

No matter the size of your business, the Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) is here to train existing and new workers.

Among popular training categories includes:

  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
  • Project Management
  • Leadership & Management Skills 

Mitigate layoffs effectively

Rapid Response provides valuable assistance to help companies prevent or manage layoffs for their employees. These services are completely free for businesses. With dedicated local teams spread across the state who possess in-depth knowledge about local labor markets, Rapid Response can effectively support employees in transitioning back to work faster, alleviating the stress associated with job loss.

Develop Talent

Launch a Registered Apprenticeship Program

Combining on-the-job training with related classroom instruction is a proven model now scaled in the construction and building trades and an increasingly growing approach for in-demand, high growth industries. Known as Registered Apprenticeship, these effective models builds the skill and competency of workers and is expanding to growing industries like advanced manufacturing, early childhood education, finance, and health care and human services. Interested employers can take the first step by attending an Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship Sponsorship webinar. Have questions? Contact apprenticeship@mass.gov for more information. 

Grow your workforce with skilled, diverse untapped talent

Anchored by sector workforce needs, Workforce Success Grants through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) aim to close the skills gaps for untapped talent to meet the hiring demands of employers by sector, spanning industries such as Healthcare, Information Technology, Transportation, Life Sciences, and Education, among others.

Prepare technical skills for adult-learners

The Career Technical Initiative (CTI) transforms vocational technical high schools into Career Technical Institutes, running an evening shift to train adults with technical skills in-demand for construction and manufacturing jobs. 

As an employer, participate by working with vocational technical schools to shape the learning curriculum or hire trainees after graduation. 

Empower youth and young adults

As part of the Healey-Driscoll Administrations youth agenda’, YouthWorks is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults in achieving meaningful employment outcomes. Through valuable resources, mentorship, and opportunities, participants ages 14 to 25 years old acquire the skills and experiences essential for success in today's workforce.

Hiring Untapped Talent

By tapping into previously overlooked talent pools, your workforce gains access to a broader range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. This enables you to fill critical roles more efficiently and build a resilient and adaptable workforce.

Among strategies to build the workforce for Massachusetts employers, join the Healey-Driscoll Administration to match new arrivals who are work-ready with employment opportunities. Ready to hire? Connect with us for next steps

We provide grants through the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program to community organizations that support job training and placement programs for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. 

Individuals with disabilities have one of the highest barriers to employment among underrepresented groups in the workforce. The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities Program is designed to counter those barriers by providing employment opportunities for those individuals.

Ensure Safety in the Workplace

Detect and prevent workplace accidents

The On-Site Consultation Program provided by the Department of Labor Standards (DLS) is an invaluable resource for businesses focusing on addressing health and safety concerns. This program is entirely free, confidential, and operates independently from state and federal enforcement activities. DLS consultants will conduct a thorough walkthrough and survey of your workplace, assisting you in identifying hazards, recommending control measures, and presenting solutions for addressing safety or health issues. Additionally, they offer training and education for you and your employees. Schedule your complimentary safety consultation today!

Promote safety in the workplace

Foster a workplace culture dedicated to safeguarding the health and safety of your employees. The Workplace Safety Grant, offered by the Department of Industrial Accidents, helps employers reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers and promote safe and healthy conditions in the workplace through training, education, and other preventative measures.

Employers will find that implementing safety and health programs helps:

  • Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
  • Improve compliance with laws and regulations
  • Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums
  • Engage workers
  • Enhance their social responsibility goal

Analyze Labor Market Data

Review latest unemployment and jobs data

Labor market data can help you analyze tends and typical salaries across various professions and industries, helping you make informed decisions about workforce planning and compensation strategies. 

Review latest unemployment and jobs data or analyze workforce equity dashboards

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