Mayor Sokhary Chau | Mayor Sokhary Chau official website
Mayor Sokhary Chau | Mayor Sokhary Chau official website
MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board announced today they have been awarded a $200,000 grant for the FY23 Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program. Awarded by the Commonwealth Corporation, the program is an initiative to improve workforce outcomes among individuals returning to their communities after incarceration (i.e. returning citizens).
With this funding, the program will offer participants (ages 25+) one-on-one soft skills, career readiness training, and financial coaching at MassHire Lowell Career Center. Upon completion, the participants will transition into jobs in two High Priority industries in the Greater Lowell Region: social services, as re-entry coaches and outreach workers; or manufacturing, as machine operators.
MassHire is collaborating with business partners at THRIVE Communities and the Billerica House of Correction to offer re-entry citizens a smooth referral process, assist them with driver licensing and IDs, and provide transportation to and from training, as well as personal and group case management.
“MassHire works diligently to support all residents who can enter the workplace,” said Kevin Coughlin, Executive Director of the MassHire Workforce Board. “Our local economy depends on providing training for all who wish to gain a working experience.”
Shannon Norton, MassHire Lowell Career Center Executive Director, said, “Our model of providing occupational training combined with paid work experience is proven to make a difference for returning citizens. We look forward to working with our training and community partners.”
“THRIVE Communities is proud to collaborate with MassHire Greater Lowell and their Career Center on this exciting initiative!” Said Kim Yeasir, Chief Empowerment Officer at THRIVE Communities. “We see this opportunity as a win-win for Lowell community members and employers, and we are grateful for the multifaceted support of the Commonwealth Corporation.”
MassHire is centered in Lowell, MA and serves the communities of Lowell, Dracut, Billerica, Tewksbury, Chelmsford, Dunstable, Tyngsborough, and Westford. Its mission is to provide the public and private sectors with job training and placement into jobs within the Greater Lowell region.
Original source can be found here.
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