1. Business Resources for Workforce Development

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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