Workforce Development
Ensuring the full participation of all Boston residents in the City's economic vitality and future.
The 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 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.
Life Sciences Workforce Development Initiative
Training and placing residents in Life Science careers.
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.
Summer Learn and Earn
Boston youth can earn a stipend while taking a college-level course for credit over the summer.
Boston Youth Service Network
Providing education, training, and employment pathways for at-risk youth.
Immigrant-Serving Workforce Development Programs and Organizations
Immigrant ResourcesAdult Literacy Initiative
The Adult Literacy Initiative is a collection of adult literacy programs that provide adult learners with a wide range of services, including basic literacy skills classes, high school equivalency exam preparation, college preparation, and English language classes for non-native speakers.
Massachusetts Adult Literacy Help Desk
The Massachusetts Adult Literacy Help Desk connects adult learners with the programs and services they need to learn, grow, and achieve their personal, professional, and community goals.
African Bridge Network
The Immigrant Fellowship Program is a paid 10-week internship with healthcare and finance employers to help skilled immigrants transition into professional careers. Work authorization is required.
BEST Hospitality
The Introduction to Hospitality, Housekeeping Pre-Apprenticeship provides high-quality hotel jobs training and wrap-around services. Work authorization is required.
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Jewish Vocational Service
The Caring for Our Seniors, Nurse's Aid Training & Pharmacy Technician training prepares participants for careers in healthcare. Work authorization is required.
Mujeres Unidas Avanzando
The Clinical Medical Assistant Program helps English Language Learners complete a Medical Assistant Training (CMA) program. Work authorization is required.
The Jamaica Plain Community Centers Adult Learning Program
The Certified Nursing Assistant Certification for English Language Learners helps residents pursue CNA and CPR credentials while improving their English language proficiency. Work authorization is required.
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
The ESOL for Customer Service program integrates ESOL instruction with general workplace and industry-specific skills and includes career counseling and case management services. Work authorization is required. In-process work authorizations are accepted between January and April.
Haitian American Multi-Service Center/Catholic Charities
The ESOL for Human Services & Healthcare program provides ESOL classes and job training for healthcare and human services careers. Work authorization is not required.
Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI)
The ESOL for Workforce program provides low-level English speakers with ESOL instruction, career-focused classes, computer skills, and financial literacy classes in healthcare. The program serves and supports primarily recent Haitian immigrants to Boston. Work authorization is required.
Rian Immigrant Center
The Rian Immigrant Center empowers immigrant and refugee families from over 120 countries with a comprehensive range of support services, including online ESOL, digital literacy classes, career coaching, and citizenship tutoring. Languages: Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, English, Filipino, French, German, Haitian Creole, Irish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center Inc.,
The Asian Elder Drop-In Service is a social services program for low-income seniors with limited English proficiency. It provides economic, housing, and health insurance status support. Bilingual and bicultural assistance is available in person and remotely. Languages: Chinese, English.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
GBLS provides free legal assistance to families and individuals living in poverty to help them assert their rights and secure the most basic necessities of life. Languages: Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Vietnamese.
La Alianza Hispana, Inc.
La Alianza Hispana provides educational, health, financial literacy, work readiness support, and recreational activities to low-income Latino seniors and disabled individuals. It serves primarily new immigrants with limited English, education level, and work experience. Languages: English, Spanish.
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)
MAPS provides health and social services to Brazilian, Cabo Verdean, Portuguese, and other Portuguese-speaking communities. Languages: English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Vietnamese.
Somali Development Center
The Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency (RESS) program provides employment training and support to African refugees and immigrants (ages 16-60) including job readiness, job placement, legal assistance, financial literacy classes, and ESOL classes/referrals. Languages: Amharic, English, Somali.
Contact
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43 Hawkins Street
Boston, MA 02114 -
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
