Baker-Polito Administration Receives $2.9 million Federal Grant to Grow Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts

麻州州長勞工及人力發展辦公室昨（9）日宣佈，聯邦政府撥給麻州290萬元，在高成長工業界，擴大實習機會。

            美國勞工部的這“美國學徒補助款（American Apprenticeship Grant）”，將可讓麻州幫助300人在諸如醫療護理，科技，先進製造等快速成長行業獲得實習、培訓機會。

            該筆經費將支持麻州學徒計畫（Massachusetts Apprenticeship Initiative, 簡稱MAI) ，增加前述行業的實習，或實習前機會。在2015年內，麻州有7,500人登記參加實習。

            麻州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）表示，在麻州許多雇主掙扎著要找到具有技能的工作者來填補空缺時，這筆補助款可讓更多麻州人在急需人手的業界，獲得工作機會。

            美國勞工部共發出1億75000萬元給全美46州，擴辦各州的學徒實習計畫。

            查理貝克上任州長後，設立了人力技能局（Workforce Skills Cabinet），由勞工及人力發展卿Ronald Walker二世統領。該組織成員還包括麻州教育卿James Peyser，住宅及經濟發展卿艾許（Jay Ash.）。

圖片說明：

            麻州州長查理貝克夫婦7日到機場迎接奧巴馬總統。（圖由州長辦公室提供)

Baker-Polito Administration Receives $2.9 million Federal Grant to Grow Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015…The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded a $2.9 million federal grant to expand apprenticeship opportunities in high-growth industries in Massachusetts.

The American Apprenticeship Grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor, will enable the state to help 300 residents gain apprenticeship training in industries with a growing demand for new employees, such as healthcare, technology and advanced manufacturing.

The funds will support the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI) to increase the number of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in those industries. There are more than 7,500 registered apprentices in the state in 2015.

“As many employers in Massachusetts struggle to find the skilled labor to fill available jobs, this grant will enable training for individuals in high-demand industries and provide more job opportunities for the people of the Commonwealth,” Governor Charlie Baker said.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $175 million in American Apprenticeship Grants to 46 awardees across the nation to expand apprenticeships in high-growth industries. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will use the grant to build upon apprenticeship opportunities and address the skills gap for underserved residents.  

“Our team worked incredibly hard to be awarded one of these highly competitive grants. These funds will help us in our mission to meet employers’ demands for highly-skilled workers so they can continue to grow their businesses. Businesses cannot grow if they cannot find enough skilled workers,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker, II, who chairs the Workforce Skills Cabinet.

Created by the Governor through an executive order, the Workforce Skills Cabinet’s goal is to align education, economic and workforce development programs and policies to increase opportunities for training and employment for residents while helping businesses meet their growth needs. The Cabinet consists of Secretary Walker, Education Secretary James Peyser and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.