What is a sector strategy?
Challenges
Elements of the Industry Sector Strategy Response
Example
What Is a Sector Strategy?
The sector strategy approach, or employer-driven partnership as it is sometimes called, has been successful as a workforce development intervention in MA that meets the workforce needs of employers while creating access for workers to good jobs. MA was recognized this past summer by the National Governors Association as one of five leading states in the nation advancing the sector-based approach.
The sector approach targets critical industries that are experiencing worker and\or skill shortages. Through partnerships (of invested employers, unions, workforce investment boards, one-stop career centers, adult basic education providers, community based organizations, community colleges and other institutions of higher education, and other training and service providers) education, training, and other supports customized to meet the needs of the of the industry's employers and workers are created. The sector-based approach has been used successfully in Massachusetts in the healthcare industry to address the direct care worker needs of long term care (Extended Career Ladder Initiative-ECCLI) and to reduce the nursing shortage (Nursing Career Ladder Initiative-NUCLI), and to tackle the workforce needs of manufacturing, biotechnology, financial services, and other industries through the BEST and BayStateWorks initiatives.
The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund is currently being launched and will use the sector-based approach. Employers have realized cost savings, seen productivity improve, experienced reduced turnover, and gained needed skilled employees. Workers have gained good paying jobs, experienced opportunities for advancement, and seen increased wages. Best practices learned through case studies and evaluation of each initiative have informed improvements to subsequent projects. Over $25 million, primarily from employer contributions, have been leveraged to serve as support beyond the public investments in these sector-based projects.
A Sector Strategy:
- Sector initiatives are targeted to a specific industry – with solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of the industry.
- The goal is to create education, training, and other supports customized to the workplace that fit the needs of the industry employers and workers to promote skill attainment and career advancement.
- There is involvement of an intermediary with deep knowledge of the industry that facilitates partnership development and solution-generation.
- Many sector initiatives provide strategies for improving the employability and career path development for low-income, low-skilled workers.
- Systemic change is created that benefits both employers and workers.
Challenges
Skills Gap
Massachusetts is experiencing a "skills gap" that will prevent our current businesses from thriving, and will deter new businesses from locating here. Many employers are searching for skilled workers or looking for ways to upgrade the skills of their current workers in order to be productive and competitive in a global marketplace. At the same time, there are far too many unemployed and underemployed workers without the skills they need to be productive in the labor market
Rapid Change
As technological advances create an ever-changing economic environment and competition from other states and countries has never been tougher, Massachusetts must build a worker pipeline that is highly skilled and able to respond to workplace changes as they occur.
Low Literacy and Math Levels
Current data indicate that only three of every four students who begin ninth grade graduate from high school four years later. Even though the MCAS ensures that high school graduates have basic literacy and math competencies, student skill levels are often far below those needed to be successful in our knowledge-based economy.
Elements of the Industry Sector Strategy Response
Partnerships
We believe in the power of partnership. The issues of workforce development are complex and multi-faceted, and touch a multitude of sectors and individuals. Partnerships of invested stakeholders bring together the variety of perspectives needed to fully understand problems and the resources necessary to create sustainable solutions.
Innovative program model development based on data, research, and evaluation
Massachusetts must be able to prioritize the use of limited resources and ensure a significant return on the investment of those resources. Innovation based on the cycle of research, program model development, evaluation, identifying and sharing learning, and improving the program model based on what has been learned (and then beginning the cycle again) is crucial.
Use of public funds to leverage private and philanthropic funds
Public funds are precious and scarce. They should be used to their fullest potential to leverage private resources for workforce development. Industry sector strategies are designed to use public funding to leverage private and philanthropic funds.
Example
Industry Sector Spotlight
BayStateWorks
Community Work Services (Lead Partner)
Hotel & Hospitality “At Your Service” Project
Project Focus:
This Boston-based initiative has been designed to successfully prepare individuals who have been homeless for careers in the hotel industry.
Collaborators:
Massachusetts Lodging Association’s Education Foundation, Boston Private Industry, Job Net, Roger Saunders Lodging Institute, Holiday Inn Express, Shawmut Inn, Royal Sonesta, Onyx Hotel, Bullfinch Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Hampton Inn and Suites, Best Western, Park Plaza, The Westin, Pine Street Inn – Women’s Inn, Anchor Inn, the Men’s Health Program, Holy Family and the Men’s Unit, Kit Clarke Senior Services - Cardinal Medeiros Center, Home Start – Boston and Cambridge , Boston Public Health Commission Homeless Services – Long Island, Woods Mullen and Project Soar, Salvation Army South End Corps– Harbor Light, Family Services Bureau, Friends of the Shattuck – Shattuck Shelter, Impact Employment Services, Roxbury Multi-Service Center – Family House Shelter, American Red Cross of Mass Bay – International Social Services, Justice Resource Institute – Sidney Borum Clinic, Youth on Fire, Wayside Youth and Family Services – Short Stop, United Homes Adult Services – Pilgrim Shelter, Up and Out, Shelter Inc, Step, Inc., Span Inc., Rosie’s Place, First Academy, Kingston House, Cambridge Multi-Service Center, Families in Transition, Health Care for the Homeless, Boston Municipal Medical Center, Dimock Community Health Center, STEP, Inc., St. Francis House, Project Place, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and Impact Employment.
Project Goals:
- 40 participants will be placed in employment
- Participants will earn an average of $8.25 per hour with benefits for working 32 hours or more
- 70% will be still working at 12 months post placement
- 30% will have received a promotion or wage increase at 12 months post placement
Enrollment Goals:
- 60 unemployed, homeless individuals
Project Design:
The participants will be offered the following services: case management, vocational skills training, job
readiness training and activities, mentoring, job placement, follow-up services. Support services through
collaboration with other service providers.
The key program features include:
- Industry-Based Curriculum designed by the American Lodging and Hotel Association
- Placement and follow up to ensure successful job match and long-term retention
- Established career path in industry with many opportunities for growth and advancement
- Support services including: intensive case management for up to 12 months post placement, on the job mentors and referrals to needed services
- Strong partners including Community Work Services, Massachusetts Lodging Association’s Education Foundation, Boston Private Industry, Job Net (One-Stop) and 10 Boston area Hotels
- Project leverages many existing resources and relationships with other community based organizations to alleviate gaps in services and ensure access to all needed supports.
- A committed employer team will participate in the development, delivery and oversight of program.
