- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Investing in Massachusetts means reimagining the workforce and investing in young people – both in and outside of the classroom – to ensure young people today gain the skills needed for successful jobs of the future. In June, we announced an investment of $34 million in state funded grants to support hiring 7,655 youth in summer and year-round employment through the YouthWorks program.
We know that youth were among the demographics impacted most significantly by the pandemic - from educational learning loss to increased unemployment rates. Pre-pandemic, unemployment rates among 16–19-year-olds was 10% - triple the statewide rate and consistent with historical patterns for this age group. In March 2021, the unemployment rate for this age group peaked at 21.3%. As of May 2023, the youth unemployment rate dropped to 8.6%, lower than the pre-pandemic levels.
Fueling the Commonwealth’s workers of today and tomorrow takes collaboration between MassHire regional workforce boards and the network of local hiring partners, who have opened their doors to provide young workers with hands-on learning and work experience while also benefitting our local economies.
Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) provides meaningful job placements for young workers. This past summer, WCAC placed 611 young workers ages 14-25 at over 78 employer sites across Worcester. Through these placements, young people gained experience in various industries – from human services and non-profit, facilities and maintenance, arts and communications, and burgeoning STEM pathways.
“WCAC’s YouthWorks program empowers the Commonwealth’s future workforce to build a network of peers and mentors that support their aspirations, and engaging young people in positive work experiences, mentorship support, and work-readiness skills ensures their success and supports a stronger precinct engagement and growth.”
Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY) provides youth with professional development and paid internship experiences in fields such as education, healthcare, STEM, and business. Young workers learn about new career pathways, build important skills, cultivate professional networks, and contribute to their communities, all while earning an income.
“WPY recognizes the need to strengthen and diversify the educators and mental healthcare professionals of tomorrow, knowing that students are more likely to thrive, in and out of the classroom, when they see themselves represented by their teachers; DESE has a stated goal of increasing the percentage of diverse educators in our state from 8% to 25% by 2030.”
Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc. works diligently on building self-awareness, increasing employability skills, identifying local resources, financial literacy, and community service for young workers. They believe in providing youth in the Merrimack Valley with jobs in their community, eliminating any transportation barrier to getting to work.
“We feel it is very important to invest in our youth to ensure they become productive members of society and engage in exciting careers. We want our teens to not only survive but thrive! We want them to explore their strengths, values, and interests to plan for their future.”
Within the Healey-Driscoll Administration's investment in workforce development, $16.2 million will subsidize wages and facilitate the career development of at-risk youth through the YouthWorks program during the fiscal year 2024. YouthWorks opens doors for young people to gain real-world work experience and the opportunity to explore potential career pathways. When we invest in Massachusetts’ next generation of talent, we all win.
Thank you to our guest contributors from Worcester Community Action Council, Waltham Partnership for Youth, and Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc.
