Updates on Boston jobs

Posted on October 29, 2015

The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD), formerly the Office of Jobs and Community Services, has released some updates regarding Boston jobs.

Highlights from the annual report include:

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.

OWD has since aligned its goals and strategies to leverage funding sources in order to address the Mayor’s citywide economic opportunity agenda, focusing on tackling income inequality.

“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.”