Hundreds of thousands of unemployed Massachusetts residents have seen their unemployment benefits end or cut and an eviction moratorium designed to protect them has been lifted.
So what’s the good news?
Our state Legislature got a huge gift from Congress and President Biden with $5.3 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to deal with the impact of the pandemic on the economy and public health.
With the Delta variant circulating and a corresponding increase in COVID-19 cases, many parents have been unable or reluctant to get child care. School and daycare reopenings in September are expected to help, but many unemployed workers will require training and upskilling to get new jobs or enter new industries.
The accommodation and food-service sectors, which employ many workers of color and immigrants, have been devastated by the prolonged pandemic. In addition, workers in those sectors are more likely to have limited English proficiency and lack access to a computer or high-speed internet at home.
So how can some of that $5.3 billion be appropriated by the Legislature this fall to help people get good-paying jobs and meet the needs of employers for skilled workers?
First, by expanding technical training and work-based learning with increased funding for current effective programs like health care training and IUE-CWA Local 201’s E-Team Machinist Training Program in Lynn. Adult evening job-training programs held at vocational schools also need funding.
Second, by adding money for English for Work education so immigrants can get better-paying jobs. Pathways Inc., formerly Operation Bootstrap in Lynn, is an example of an effective program.
We also need to fund people with WiFi and computer tablets so they have digital access.
Many jobs today require online applications and many community college and other training courses are done online. We also need additional funding to MassHire Career centers that help people find jobs, prepare resumes, and prepare for interviews. The MassHire North Shore Career Center in Salem provides this training.
Lastly, we also need “work supports” to address transportation, housing, food security, child care, financial and career coaching, and the technology needs of those accessing training and career services.
The Workforce Solutions Group, including labor, business, and community groups, is formulating an agenda to meet these needs. Our legislators have a chance this fall to put some of that $5.3 billion towards these types of jobs programs to help many tens of thousands and help employers too.
Lew Finfer is with the Massachusetts Communities Action Network and he serves on the Workforce Solutions Group’s executive team.
