Worcester Jobs Fund 2016 Year-End Review The Worcester Jobs Fund was created to better connect Worcester residents with good jobs made available through development projects and job expansion activities. The effort prepares residents for employment in viable long-term career paths where there is an immediate workforce need through activities such as job training, job recruitment, and related services. The Fund focuses on providing training and services to individuals with previous obstacles to employment, including veterans, single parents, people of color, people with a past felony conviction, women, people with disabilities, and low-income residents. Strong community outreach shares opportunities with local residents and case management is provided throughout training to promote participant success. Applicants who are not accepted into the program are connected with local services or alternative employment opportunities as applicable. The Fund is administratively housed within the Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board and is guided by a committee comprising representatives from the Worcester Community Labor Coalition, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Office of Economic Development, Workforce Central Career Center and the Worcester Public Schools. The Fund consists of a $100,000 annual City tax levy appropriation for each of its first three years. In addition to these funds, the Worcester Redevelopment Authority gifted $100,000 of the proceeds of its sale of a parcel of land in Washington Square to the Fund. The committee was also able to successfully obtain a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and an allocation from the state legislature, collectively in excess of $187,000, for use in job training. The Fund consistently leverages federal and state workforce development resources, including the services provided by the Workforce Central Career Center, to enhance and support their programming as well. The vision for the Worcester Jobs Fund began during 2014 when Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. formed a planning team to develop recommendations for the administrative structure and programmatic uses of the Fund. The workgroup was coordinated by the City s Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and included leadership from the Central MA Workforce Investment Board (CMWIB), Workforce Central Career Center, the Worcester Public Schools, and several representatives from the Worcester Community Labor Coalition. The planning team met numerous times, discussed the project with area stakeholders, and researched several potential design models before developing a set of recommendations to City Manager Augustus. Submitted recommendations were incorporated into the final framework for the Fund s administration and use. Guiding documents, including Operating Principles and a Project Summary, were developed to ensure best practices and alignment with key stakeholder groups. A job description was developed and after a thorough selection process, a Program Director was hired in April 2016. The Fund has also begun developing standard practices for engaging with local employers, including those receiving Tax Incremental Financing plans, to develop stronger pathways for local residents to find quality employment.
During 2016, the Worcester Jobs Fund developed and implemented four new state-certified, preapprenticeship training programs for Building Trades, Diesel Technicians, Community Health Workers and Class A Commercial Drivers. The Fund also developed a new Class B Commercial Drivers Training Program. Pre-Apprentice Training Programs Established in Massachusetts During 2016 The five training programs enrolled a total of 36 low-income individuals with potential barriers to employment, including 11 women and 27 individuals of color. All participants were offered support services in concert with services available through Workforce Central Career Centers including case management, career counseling and placement assistance both during and following training. Worcester Jobs Fund Participant Demographics March 2016-September 2016 Asian 3% Currently, the Worcester Jobs Fund is implementing a second cycle of diesel technician preapprenticeship training and preparing for additional cycles of building trades and commercial drivers. The Worcester Jobs Fund is also developing a new training program in industrial food production in response to the expanding employment opportunities available with local companies, including Table Talk Pies.
Completed Training Programs: The Worcester Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program completed its first cycle of training June 20 - August 12, 2016. A total of 11 participants enrolled in the cohort including 5 women and 9 individuals of color. Participants received hands-on instruction from a wide range of building trades apprenticeship instructors both at their respective training locations and at Worcester Technical High School including bricklayers, painters, laborers, sheet metal workers, heat and frost insulators, roofers, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, elevator constructors, and operating engineers. Classroom training focused on topics such as blueprint reading, construction math, and industry credentials including First Aid & CPR and OSHA 10. The 7 graduates of the program successfully improved their Construction Aptitude Test Scores by an average of 20%. Three participants successfully completed an additional 2-week road construction training provided by the UMass-Amherst Transportation Center and the MA Dept. of Transportation. Two graduates are already working full-time on active job sites as apprentices (with Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 4 and Carpenters Local 107). Two additional graduates were interviewed for apprenticeships and were highly ranked (New England Laborers and Elevator Constructors Local 41). Two graduates are expected to be interviewed by the New England Carpenters in December 2016. The Diesel Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program was established at South Community High School and enrolled a total of 7 participants, including 5 individuals of color. This training program was strongly supported by Tri-State Truck Center, LLC in collaboration with their state-certified Registered Apprenticeship program. The program occurred March 28- May 27, 2016 and provided training in shop safety, diesel theory, computer technology, brakes, engines, fuel systems, preventative & maintenance skills, and pre-employment skills. This program produced 6 graduates, including three who began formal diesel technician apprenticeships with Tri-State Truck Center in October 2016. Two additional graduates attained full-time employment in the field. Community Health Worker Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program was established with the Center for Health Impact. A total of 8 participants, including 5 women and 6 individuals of color, attended the program between April 9-May 25, 2016. Six participants graduated from the course and received certificates of completion. Training included 48 hours of instruction in professional customer service delivery, communication, and care coordination skills relevant to the community health worker field. Following graduation, 5 participants secured employment in the health care field and 1 graduate is pursuing further education. The Commercial Driver s License Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program was established with Teamsters Locals 25 & 170 and enrolled 6 participants. Participants included 1 female and 5 individuals of color with each receiving an average of 175 hours of instruction operating a combination vehicle. Training was conducted May 9-June 30, 2016 and comprised of classroom, parking lot, and driving components. All 6 participants received certificates of course completion and three successfully earned their CDL Class A Licenses. Five graduates have secured employment in the transportation industry and 1 has secured part-time employment.
The CDL Class B Training Program enrolled a total of 4 Worcester residents in the CDL Class B training provided by DirtyGirl Disposal Inc. The training program included 2 individuals of color and occurred May 23-September 30, 2016. The focus of the training was to provide individual instruction in pre-trip, airbrakes, maneuvers, and road driving in preparation for the CDL Class B Road Test. Three participants successfully completed the training and 2 passed the CDL B Road Test and earned their licenses. Both drivers are eagerly awaiting the next cycle of hiring through the Department of Public Works & Parks for a chance to be employed through the City of Worcester. Current and Future Initiatives The Diesel Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program began a second cycle of 9 participants at South Community High School. This expanded, 10-week training is being provided October 11-December 22, 2016 to nine Worcester residents of color who were selected due to their strong interest in building careers as diesel technicians. The CDL Class B Training Program is organizing a second cycle of training to be provided on the new training course at the Worcester Regional Transit Authority by Parker Professional Driving School. This training has enrolled 6 Worcester residents of color, including one female, and is scheduled to begin December 13, 2016. Future cycles of CDL Class B Training are also being developed to begin in March 2017. An Industrial Food Production Training Program is being developed as a potential new training program due to expansion of local companies, such as Table Talk Pies. The South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Center has agreed to host the training free of charge and assist with recruitment of local candidates both in the South Worcester neighborhood and across the City. The training is projected to begin in early 2017 and include fundamental training in food safety, employee health, food storage, process controls, employability skills, and life skills. It is anticipated that the training will utilize an online curriculum through classroom facilitation and allow participants to earn a certificate from Cornell University in Good Manufacturing Practices. The Worcester Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is expected to enroll a second cycle of up to 15 participants in early April. Information Sessions for this session will be conducted during December, January, and February. A Youth Employment Analysis is being conducted through a partnership with Clark University to study the impact of Worcester s youth employment efforts through a retrospective, comparative study. The research focuses on mapping the current labor market and employment efforts available to youth in Worcester and identifying areas in which service gaps are present. The research is being led by Laurie Ross, PhD, and Ramon Borges-Mendez, PhD, with some support from graduate students at Clark University. Employer Engagement and Career Pathways Development has become an integral part of the vision for the Worcester Jobs Fund in the future. The Worcester Jobs Fund has begun discussions with several local employers to better understand their hiring needs and connect them to well-qualified local residents. Additionally, the Fund has begun working with local organizations to promote the expansion of apprenticeship programs. Discussions have included Seven Hills Foundation, early childcare providers, and the City of Worcester s Department of Public Works & Parks.
Participant Highlights CDL Class A Graduate Celebrates New Employment and US Citizenship! During November 2016, one Worcester resident graduate of the Worcester Jobs Fund had a lot to celebrate! Dorian first immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic 9 years ago in pursuit of economic opportunity. He always had a passion for driving and a dream to become a truck driver. When he learned that the Worcester Jobs Fund was offering free Commercial Driver s License trainings he jumped at the opportunity. At the time, he was working two, low-wage jobs and struggling to provide for his young family. From the start of the training in May, he demonstrated a clear eagerness to learn and an appreciation for the opportunity before him. Over the summer he completed 160 hours of instruction with the Teamsters Local 25 Training Fund while balancing two jobs and an infant at home. During August, Dorian successfully passed the Commercial Driver s License Road Test and earned his CDL Class A License. He started applying for local job opportunities during September and was soon offered a position at Safway Services, LLC driving for $22.50 per hour. The position allowed Dorian to work one job for 40 hours per week and finally have the time to spend with his young 9-month old daughter. Safway was highly impressed by the level of skill Dorian had and waived the 90-day probationary period. During the first week of November, Dorian became a permanent employee at Safway and a member of the Teamsters Union. On top of his employment success, Dorian also passed the U.S. citizenship test and became an American citizen during the same week! Dorian is proud to look back over the last 9 years and see all of the progress he has made for himself and his family. He is also excited about the career before him and has a goal to learn something new every day. Whether it is the name of a piece on the truck or learning a more truckfriendly route within Boston, Dorian recognizes he has a lot left to learn and is grateful for his supportive co-workers who are helping him through this journey. Dorian and his family recognize that this would not have been made possible without the staff at the Worcester Jobs Fund, Central MA Workforce Investment Board, and Workforce Central Career Center and to show their appreciation his family made a Tres Leches cake to share with the staff! Dorian continues to communicate with staff and provides updates on his progress.
Worcester Building Pathways Graduate Celebrates National Women in Apprenticeship Day! Kaela is off to a great start in her new job and has been matched with an experienced female carpenter who is providing her mentorship and instruction. When asked what it is like to be a female apprentice Kaela stated, It s empowering and exciting. It s great to know that I am making a difference and can inspire other girls to do the same. Kaela is receiving instruction from Cleo, a 10-year tradeswoman with the Carpenters Local 107. Cleo is enjoying training her first apprentice and loves working on different things every day. She has fun working on projects and seeing the whole crew involved. Cleo has noticed that during recent years she has been seeing an increase in tradeswomen and was once on a job with four female construction workers! The two women are enjoying working together on the jobsite and are both committed to encouraging more women to join the building trades. On Thursday November 17 th, 2016 one female graduate of the Worcester Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is able to observe National Women in Apprenticeship Day as a newly indentured apprentice! Kaela, age 18, graduated from Worcester Technical High School s welding program in June 2016 and knew she wanted to explore more of the building trades before starting her career as a tradeswoman. With her experience in welding and her strong aptitude for the building trades, Kaela impressed many of her instructors throughout her 8 weeks with the Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. By the end of the program, she knew that carpentry was the best fit for her skills and applied with the New England Carpenter s Training Fund. During November, she became an indentured apprentice with the Carpenters Local 107 and began working with SPS New England on a Department of Transportation road project. As a first year apprentice, Kaela is earning approximately $19.00 per hour! This job is very fitting for a Building Pathways graduate because this training program is made possible through funding from the Department of Transportation and the Worcester Jobs Fund.