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Program
Through the Building Essential Skills through Training (BEST) Initiative, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pooled the talent, resources, and expertise of its education and training agencies to provide employers in various sectors with effective ways to improve productivity and the skills of their workforce. Created in 2001, BEST was transformed into BayStateWorks in 2004.
Need
In 2001 research conducted by MassINC showed that nearly one-third of Massachusetts workers lack the literacy, education, and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in today’s workplace. Employers report that lagging worker skills affect their productivity and success. Workers report that they lack opportunities for education and training to advance at their jobs.
Solution
Through a competitive bid process, workforce intermediaries were invited to partner with employers and education and training providers to devise education, training, career coaching, and career pathway solutions to increase employer productivity and worker skills levels for wage gains and career growth opportunities. Supervisors were also trained.
Impact
Over 2,700 workers received education, training, and career guidance, which led to significant wage increases. Participating companies reported gains in quality, retention, workplace morale, literacy, and communications skills. Supervisors reported improvement in participants’ confidence levels and overall job performance, and managers learned how to better manage and motivate a more highly skilled workforce.
