Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the city received a $23 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.
The grant will help fund a Regional Workforce Training System that will focus on training and job placement for 4,618 high-quality positions in niche markets like healthcare, sustainable energy and childcare, according to an Aug. 17 Commerce Department news release.
“This important funding will connect participating residents with more than 4,000 living wage jobs and crucial support services. This grant will accelerate our work to make Boston a city for everyone and connect our residents with opportunities in healthcare, childcare and clean energy," Wu said, according to the release. “I’m grateful to the Biden administration for their partnership and our Office of Workforce Development team for their leadership in securing this critical grant.”
Partners brought together by the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development are organizations that assist incumbent workers, community college students, BIPOC individuals and jobless, underemployed and incumbent workers in the Greater Boston region, the release reported.
More than 100 local employers will participate during the three years of the grant period to connect workers to training and career pathways in childcare, healthcare and clean energy industries, beginning in October 2022, according to the release.
“Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, this EDA Good Jobs Challenge grant is delivering for thousands of Bostonians and their families across several crucial industries,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said in the release. “Ensuring the placement of underrepresented populations into quality, good-paying jobs ensures the success of individuals, the community, and the local economy.”
