Workforce Development
Ensuring the full participation of all Boston residents in the City's economic vitality and future.
The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) works toward the full participation of all Boston residents in the city’s economic vitality and future. It connects low-income residents with job training and employment opportunities. It also promotes lifelong literacy and educational pathways.
OWD focuses on competitive workforce development initiatives and policies. These initiatives aim to put Boston’s youth and adults on career paths toward economic security. OWD stresses the importance of collaboration with the city’s workforce development and education initiatives. The emphasis is on empowering Bostonians to fulfill their educational and employment aspirations.
Contact
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43 Hawkins Street
Boston, MA 02114 -
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Education Programs
ReadBoston
An early childhood literacy program that sets young children on the path to reading success.
Tuition Free Community College (TFCC) Plan
TFCC helps income-eligible residents afford college.
Digital Literacy Initiative (DigLit)
An initiative designed to increase the digital skills and resiliency of Boston residents.
Adult Literacy Initiative (ALI)
ALI is a consortium of adult education programs in the City of Boston.
Job Training and Hiring Programs
City Academy
The training pipeline for Boston residents provides access to entry-level City positions. These jobs offer good wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
Good Jobs Metro Boston Coalition
Connecting residents to quality, good-paying job opportunities in child care, clean energy, and healthcare.
Greater Boston Equitable Apprenticeship Pathways
Greater Boston Equitable Apprenticeship Pathways connects Boston residents to pre-apprenticeships programs.
Youth Programs
Youth Options Unlimited (YOU)
YOU provides case management and job readiness programming to court involved and at-risk young people.
PowerCorpsBOS
The program offers young people training, career readiness support, and connections to employers in the green industry.
Rising Together
This coordinated effort increases employment among youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Summer Learn and Earn
Boston youth can earn a stipend while taking a college-level course for credit over the summer.
Grantmaking
The Office of Workforce Development supports many organizations in the City of Boston through a variety of funding sources.
Learn moreUpcoming Events
EventsPartner Forms
FormsThe Living Wage Ordinance was passed by the Boston City Council and approved by the Mayor on September 4, 1998. The purpose of this Ordinance is to assure that employees of vendors who contract with the City to provide services earn an hourly wage that is sufficient for a family of four to live on or above the poverty line. The current living wage is $16.38 an hour and will stay in effect until June 30, 2023. The living wage is subject to an increase each July 1.
The Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) Program Guide is a handbook for contracted service providers to implement NJT Job Training Services. It includes:
- a description of NJT
- grant requirements
- best practices for programs
- procedures
- a basic timeline for procedures during the grant period
- a glossary of acronyms, and
- information on data collection.
All sample forms and informational documents are included within the handbook. Please use this handbook as a resource for questions concerning NJT procedures regarding your program contract.
If you have additional questions, contact Anna Sherr, Senior Program Manager for NJT, at anna.sherr@boston.gov.
