BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker says his upcoming state budget request will include $5 million to address chronic unemployment.
The program announced Monday includes the creation of an economic opportunity fund to provide job training and career opportunities for people who face barriers to employment. It would also expand a job training program statewide that began in Hampden County for ex-prison inmates.
Baker asked a task force last year to examine why certain segments of the population, including minority groups, the disabled and recently-returned veterans, have unemployment rates well above the statewide 4.7 percent average.
The Republican unveiled the program at the offices of Year Up, a Boston nonprofit that helps provide skills training and internships for young urban adults.
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Baker will submit his budget for the next fiscal year on Wednesday.
“Since taking office, our administration has focused on reaching individuals and families across the Commonwealth who have felt they have not been able to take advantage of or experience our state’s many economic strengths,” said Baker. “By building the capacity of community-based organizations and others who already have the expertise and experience working with individuals who face higher unemployment rates, we can to enable more people to find and keep jobs and support their families.
“There are still too many individuals for whom employment opportunities are infrequent or currently unattainable even in strong economic times for our Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “With these recommendations, we are going to empower those most involved within their communities and reach even more people in a meaningful way.”
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Walker chaired the Task Force that advised the Governor, consisting of administration officials, business leaders, educators, community-based organization representatives, and economic experts, who traveled around the state to listen to residents who face continued unemployment.
“Whatever their barriers, we realize certain people need a hands-on touch when it comes to job seeking and more attention than the federally-funded career centers are able to give them,” Secretary Walker said. “One of the recommendations from the Task Force is to build a Massachusetts-based public workforce system by leveraging community-based organizations, which can meet the specific needs of the target populations.”
