North Shore WIB nets $210G in fed funds

LYNN – The North Shore Workforce Investment Board, which oversees career centers in Lynn and Salem, received $210,000 in federal monies earlier this month as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus plan.Gov. Deval Patrick announced that over $3.2 million in ARRA grants were awarded to help Massachusetts residents advance in healthcare careers. One in every seven jobs in Massachusetts is in healthcare or social assistance.”The effect of federal stimulus dollars cannot be minimized as our residents, our businesses and consumers benefit from partnerships such as the training grants we are announcing today,” said Patrick. “The healthcare industry is a large part of the economic engine in Massachusetts and my administration is working overtime to ensure that our workforce has every chance to become competitive in this field.”Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray said the funds support workforce training, which mutually benefits businesses statewide looking to fill job vacancies with skilled employees.The ARRA funds have been awarded to 16 Workforce Investment Boards that have partnered with healthcare businesses and community colleges to provide training to both unemployed and incumbent workers to prepare for health careers.Through the programs, participants can gain credits toward associates degree programs or more advanced certificates. Regional partners in the programs develop curriculum targeted to labor needs in their regions so that people can obtain in-demand degrees and certifications such as: registered nurse, certified nurse assistant, clinical lab assistant, emergency medical technician, exercise science, home health aide, hospice care, licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, medical billing and coding, paramedic, ophthalmology technician, personal care attendant, pharmacy technician and phlebotomy and surgical technician.”I’m pleased that the North Shore Workforce Investment Board in Salem, which was designated a high-performing board by the state and continues to do great work, will be the recipient of these federal funds,” said U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat and member of the Committee on Education and Labor. “Our residents who are currently without work or in need of re-training may benefit through possible employment in the burgeoning healthcare sector because of these educational partnerships.”ARRA grants to the various workforce investment boards averaged $200,000.