PRESS STATEMENT: State Launches $1.4 Million Workplace Education Fund

“Our departments have made common cause for adults to learn in the workplace,” Secretary Bump said.  Workplace-based classes, she added, are “one of the most effective ways of learning for entry level workers.” The education department became involved, Secretary Reville said, because the Patrick administration realized that “we’ve got to broaden our boundaries.  It means creating opportunities around the clock. It means creating opportunities not just for children, but for adults and the businesses that employ them.”

 

These adults include a vital yet underserved community in Massachusetts – immigrants. Speaking after the event, Claudia Green, Workforce Development Director at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), noted, “Immigrants make up almost one of every five workers in the Commonwealth. They have kept Massachusetts growing -- immigrants are the only force countervailing the native-born exodus. And yet our immigrant labor force is underutilized: seven out of ten immigrant workers lack the necessary skills, including English proficiency, to succeed in the knowledge-based economy. Most come to the US to make a better life for their family; we owe it to ourselves as a Commonwealth, and a nation, to smooth the path.”

 

As of today, 17,000 Massachusetts immigrants are on waiting lists for state-funded English classes. This new fund will help ease that strain, as well as providing an alternative education route for immigrants whose time and resources are strained. To address this need, Green heads the English Works Campaign, an independent state-wide coalition of business, labor, education and community leaders that seek to create new educational opportunities for Massachusetts’ hardworking immigrant community. Over the next few weeks, the English works campaign will bring news of this workplace fund to communities across the commonwealth with the following presentations:

 

 

 

New Bedford/Fall River: Monday, November 9th 11:00am at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang. Co-sponsored by the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc., Bristol Workforce Investment Board, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Labor Council of Southeastern MA.

 

Pioneer Valley: Tuesday, November 10th, 10:15am, Northampton Senior Center, with Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins. Co-sponsored by the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Holyoke Works, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, the Franklin Hampshire Workforce Regional Employment Board, Juntos Collaborative, SABES West, and others.

 

Berkshires: Thurs. November 12th, 10:00am at the Berkshires Regional Employment Board Office in Pittsfield. Co-sponsored by Berkshires Regional Employment Board, Berkshire Immigrant Center, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Labor Council, SABES West.

Merrimack Valley: Friday, November 13th, 9:00am at Middlesex Community College in Lowell. Co-sponsored by the Merrimack and Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Boards, the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Amesbury Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation, Inc.

 

Brockton: Monday, November 23rd at 10:00am with Mayor James E. Harrington. Co-sponsored by the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board and others.

 

Boston: to be confirmed

 

Cape Cod and North Shore: November events being planned by the Workforce Solutions Group (WSG), details to follow