Report on workforce development looks at Boston jobs
Posted on November 8, 2015
A new report from the local Workforce Development Center has shed light on the state of Boston jobs.
The new report reviews OWD’s successes from July 2014 through June 2015. The office operates and funds a variety of initiatives to support upward financial mobility for individuals and families in Boston.
Some of its signature offerings include the Office of Financial Empowerment, Boston’s one-stop career centers, employment programs for hard-to-reach youth, children’s literacy programs, and the Boston Tax Help Coalition. OWD also helps manage the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, which is funded by fees associated with private development projects and provides grants to nonprofit collaboratives such as SkillWorks and English for New Bostonians.
“We have made it a priority to advocate for innovative policies and programs that provide career ladders for all of our residents,” said Mayor Walsh. “From concerned residents and workforce development experts alike, I’ve often heard that existing programs could be more helpful indirectly leading to good jobs. OWD’s reorganization will create more opportunities for Boston’s residents and employers.”
SkillWorks, which received $350,000 in funding through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, was able to leverage additional financial resources in order to serve over 1,000 limited English speakers to improve their language skills and employment opportunities.
Youth Options Unlimited, an education, and employment program that works with hard-to-reach youth provided case management services to 377 young people and placed 88 youth in private employment positions.
The children’s literacy program ReadBoston gave away 60,000 new books to young readers across the city, and WriteBoston served 535 high school students with its deep learning through writing model.
The Boston Tax Help Coalition was able to prove 12,291 residents with free tax preparation services that resulted in approximately $23 million in refunds for Boston families.