Business Resources for Workforce Development

Mission Statement The goal of Mass BizWorks initiative is to enhance and align the services offered to Massachusetts businesses through state workforce development, economic development, and education entities in order to help Massachusetts businesses grow and thrive. In order to achieve this goal, we will: • build strong relationships across agencies and with businesses • develop standard staff business service knowledge and competencies across relevant state agencies • coordinate and link resources and information

Providing Services Throughout the Business Cycle Benefits Businesses Throughout the Business Cycle Worker training/retraining Access to qualified workers Access to business expansion strategies and resources Alternatives to layoffs, Options for downsizing Business retention strategies and resources Worker transition and reemployment Recovery Prosperity Peak Economy Trough Trough Contraction Expansion Business Cycle Time

Statewide One-Stop Career Center System Recruiting and Hiring We work to meet the needs of businesses (Demand 2.0) by providing: job postings job fairs/recruitments labor market information job matching on-the-job training For more information, visit mass.gov/jobquest/employers

For more information, visit mass.gov/dcs/ojt On-the-Job Training program (OJT) A program funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) allows employers to be reimbursed a percentage of the new hire wages during training. Employer benefits include hiring a trainee for a full-time position, supporting the development, and implementation of a training plan and monthly wage reimbursement. Contact your local One-Stop Career Center for funding availability. For more information, visit mass.gov/dcs/ojt

For more information, visit mass.gov/dcs/wotc Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Tax credit for hiring Veterans and other targeted groups No limit on the number of new hires who can qualify $1,200 to $9,600 depending on employee hired SAVINGS between: o 25% - 40% of 1st year wages (tax credit) o 25% - 50% of 2nd year wages (tax credit) up to maximum credit For more information, visit mass.gov/dcs/wotc

Massachusetts Community College System 15 Colleges with campuses statewide across the Commonwealth. Contract training services for businesses to train incumbent workers. Customized training curriculum to meet individual business needs. Reasonable cost structure compared to private training institutions. For more information, visit mass.edu/campuses/phecamuses.asp

Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) Training, consultation, and workplace safety A unit of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education which offers programs such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) in reading, writing, and computation. These programs improve employees’ basic skills, improve productivity and customer interaction and help workers move into higher skilled and higher paying jobs. Employers may partner with an ESOL/ABE program and apply for funding through a Workforce Training Fund Program or an ACLS grant. For more information visit: doe.mass.edu

Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) Must pay into unemployment trust fund to qualify General Grants Competitive application process Grants up to $250,000 Cash or in-kind match (dollar for dollar) 24 month training duration (maximum) Express Grants (companies with 100 or fewer employees) $30,000 maximum grant per company $3,000 maximum cost per trainee 24 month duration (maximum) “Off the shelf” pre-approved training programs Simplified application process Direct Access Program Addresses smaller-scale training needs by making training slots available free-of-charge to businesses that are eligible for the Workforce Training Fund (18 different programs) For more information, visit workforcetrainingfund.org

Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) Apprenticeship Program A program to promote, develop and service registered apprenticeship programs to assist employers building and retaining a dynamic, self-empowered workforce. The employer benefits include return on investment (ROI), increasing productivity, safety, as well as replenishing and retaining a skilled workforce, and instilling company values and procedures. For more information, visit mass.gov/das

Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) Safety Grant Program Benefits all types of businesses. Grants up to $25,000 awarded each fiscal year (July 1st – June 30th). Promote safe and healthy conditions in the workplace safety training. For more information, visit mass.gov/dia/safety

For more information visit, mass.gov/dols/consult OSHA Consultation Program Program that identifies potential health/safety hazards at worksites Completely separate from federal OSHA inspections and enforcement efforts Provides training and education for employers/employees Helps qualified businesses gain membership into the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) All private businesses are eligible, with priority to small (250 or< employee/worksite) or (500 or < employees nationwide) employers in high-hazard industries For more information visit, mass.gov/dols/consult

For more information, please visit mass.gov/dcs/rapidresponse Rapid Response Team (part of the Department of Career Services) Assists companies to avert layoffs by: Connecting to WorkShare program Connecting companies with incumbent worker training resources to help them remain competitive Connecting affected workers prior to layoffs with jobs via on-site job fairs and individual referrals Responds to layoffs, company closings, and natural disasters by quickly coordinating convenient, confidential, complimentary services including: Business needs assessments and connection to appropriate resources to reduce financial burden to company and affected workers On-site outplacement services: resume preparation, career counseling, classes on job search topics (e.g. Interviewing, LinkedIn), targeted on-site job fairs and job referrals Guidance on applying for unemployment benefits Connection to education/training resources Works with Massachusetts AFL-CIO to coordinate services for union employees slated to lose their jobs Connects growing companies in need of talent with skilled and/or recently trained workers Drives and promotes the Mass BizWorks initiative to facilitate ease of access for businesses to federal, state, and local resources, enabling them to leverage their budgets in any business cycle. For more information, please visit mass.gov/dcs/rapidresponse

Unemployment Insurance Programs Employers play an important role in providing these benefits as they fund the UI programs, which serve as a resource for unemployed workers seeking benefits. Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs provide Massachusetts workers with valuable benefits – temporary income protection during periods of unemployment and uncertainty. For more information, please visit mass.gov/dua

For more information, visit mass.gov/dua.workshare Workshare Program The WorkShare Program allows businesses to maintain their skilled workforce in an entire organization, department, or even a small unit to share reduced work hours while also collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits to supplement their reduced wages. For more information, visit mass.gov/dua.workshare

Economic Development Incentive Program Massachusetts Office of Business Development Economic Development Incentive Program Access to resources, expertise and incentive programs for businesses expanding or relocating to Massachusetts. MOBD offers the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) which is a tax-incentive program designed to foster full-time job creation and stimulate business growth throughout the Commonwealth. Participating companies may receive state and local tax incentives in exchange for full-time job creation, retention, and private investment commitments. For more information, visit mass.gov/mobd

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership MASSMEP offers a comprehensive set of resources, services, and support grouped into three core areas of expertise designed to help deliver positive, measurable, and sustainable growth to your company’s top and bottom lines: Operational excellence Provides an array of training services such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement systems, quality, Training Within Industry (TWI), ISO certification, etc. Workforce strategies Assess and obtain critical workforce training needed for next-generation manufacturing. Innovative growth solutions Helps manufacturers with business and operational planning workshops; product design, development, and commercialization consulting; sales strategies; financial planning, and more. For more information, visit massmep.org

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Provides a centralized resource at the state level that offers working capital, loan guarantees, and targeted technical assistance to solve specific financial and operational problems. For more information, visit mcdfc.com

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses by providing one-to-one free comprehensive and confidential services, focusing on business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance, as well as strategic, marketing, and operational analysis. For more information, visit msdbc.org

For more information, visit mass.development.com Offers a wide range of financing programs and real estate development services: Financing Tax-exempt bonds, commercial loans, and loan guarantees Real Estate Services Development expertise, market, technical studies, and assistance with seeking potential matching funds. For more information, visit mass.development.com

Massachusetts Operational Services Division Helps government and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing opportunities for commerce between the two entities. OSD offers the following resources and programs to businesses: The COMMBUYS Market Center Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Support and other opportunities For more information, visit mass.gov/osd

For more information, visit mass.gov/lwd/eolwd/mwib Workforce Development Boards WDB’s lead the workforce development system through regional policy and oversight responsibilities for multiple federal and state funding streams as well as programs associated with all aspects of workforce development. Conduct labor market studies to identify trends and develop innovative partnerships and strategies so that business and job seekers stay ahead of the curve. For more information, visit mass.gov/lwd/eolwd/mwib

U.S. Small Business Administration For more information, visit sba.gov An independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Access to Capital Entrepreneurial Development Government Contracting Advocacy For more information, visit sba.gov

Business Resources for Workforce Development Thank You For more information, visit mass.gov/bizworks