MassHire

MassHire
Name	MassHire
Type	Workforce development network
Founded	1998
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts
Region served	Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Leader title	Executive Director
Parent organization	Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

MassHire is the statewide network of workforce development boards, career centers, and related programs serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It coordinates local workforce development boards, One-Stop Career Centers, vocational training, and employment services to link jobseekers with employers across metropolitan areas such as Boston, Worcester, Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Lowell, Massachusetts. MassHire operates within a regulatory and funding framework shaped by federal laws such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and state agencies including the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

History

MassHire traces its organizational lineage to federal workforce reforms including the JOBS Training Partnership Act and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, evolving through policy shifts under administrations like those of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Massachusetts initiatives in the 1990s involved collaborations with entities such as the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance and regional economic development organizations like Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Subsequent realignments under governors including Mitt Romney (governor) and Deval Patrick emphasized regional labor markets, prompting the consolidation of local career centers and the adoption of the MassHire brand during the tenure of officials from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Major programmatic developments aligned MassHire with federal discretionary grants from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Labor and recovery funding following economic shocks like the Great Recession.

Structure and Organization

The MassHire network comprises regional workforce boards, municipal municipalities, and nonprofit partners, coordinating with institutions such as Community Colleges of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and vocational high schools like Springfield Central High School for training pipelines. Governance involves appointed board members drawn from employers, labor unions including the Service Employees International Union, and community-based organizations like Catholic Charities USA affiliates and Workforce Solutions Group partners. Operational oversight links to statewide agencies such as the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services on supportive services and to local governments in cities such as Cambridge, Massachusetts and New Bedford, Massachusetts for sector strategies. The organizational model mirrors best practices documented by entities like the National Association of Workforce Boards and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Services and Programs

MassHire delivers services including career counseling, job listings, résumé assistance, and employer recruitment support, working alongside private sector recruiters such as ManpowerGroup and Adecco Group and technology platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. Training programs span occupational areas tied to employers including Massachusetts General Hospital, manufacturing firms like General Electric (regional operations), and technology companies such as Akamai Technologies and Raytheon Technologies. Sector partnerships address healthcare pathways with institutions like Brigham and Women's Hospital, life sciences apprenticeships with Biogen, and culinary training connected to hospitality groups like Northeastern University’s hospitality programs. Youth services align with initiatives such as AmeriCorps and summer employment coordinated with municipalities and nonprofits like Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources for MassHire include federal allocations from the U.S. Department of Labor, state appropriations via the Massachusetts Legislature, philanthropic grants from foundations like the Barr Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation, and employer contributions coordinated with chambers such as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Partnerships extend to educational institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and the Massachusetts Bay Community College, as well as labor organizations like the AFL–CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Collaborative grants have been pursued with regional economic development agencies such as MassDevelopment and workforce intermediaries like Jobs for the Future.

Impact and Performance

Evaluations of MassHire-affiliated programs often reference metrics used by the U.S. Government Accountability Office and performance frameworks adopted from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Outcomes reported by local workforce boards compare employment placement rates, credential attainment, and earnings changes, with case studies involving partnerships with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and manufacturing employers showing varied sectoral success. Impact assessments have been performed by academic partners at institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School, Tufts University, and Johns Hopkins University labor centers, and by nonprofits like the Urban Institute. Regional labor market changes measured against data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance show correlations with MassHire activity in areas including healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics have pointed to issues echoed in reports by watchdogs such as the Massachusetts Auditor and commentary in outlets like the Boston Globe regarding inconsistent service quality across local career centers and procurement controversies involving contractors linked to firms such as national staffing agencies. Labor advocates including chapters of the Service Employees International Union and community groups like Community Action Programs have raised concerns about program accessibility for marginalized populations served by agencies such as the Department of Transitional Assistance. Debates have also involved the allocation of federal funds under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the transparency of partnerships with private training providers like for-profit career colleges and corporations referenced in investigations by entities such as the National Consumer Law Center.

Category:Workforce development in Massachusetts