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April 28, 2025
Dear Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz,
The Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills (MBCS), a coalition of 27 diverse business organizations that support strengthening workforce skills development programs and policies, appreciates the House’s continued prioritization of reskilling our workforce of today and tomorrow by allocating critical funds throughout the state budget. MBCS is encouraged to see significant investments in skills development, which includes line items that will create work-based learning opportunities, support essential skills development, and enhance Career Vocational/Technical Education (CVTE). As you begin debate on the FY26 budget, the coalition offers the below priorities for your consideration.
Experiential Learning
Employers embrace experiential learning models because they are proven ways to strengthen both essential and job-specific skills. Learn-and-earn models like internships and apprenticeships benefit employees who develop skills in a real work environment. Employers also benefit because they can train employees with specific skills for their industry or job needs. School-to-career connecting activities are public-private partnerships that provide on-the-job learning opportunities for students. The coalition urges maintaining level funding for Registered Apprenticeship Expansions (7003-0151), and School-to-Career Connecting Activities to match FY25 funding levels.
Essential Skills Development
Essential skills, also known as non-technical skills, are critical for career success. The coalition supports funding YouthBuild, the state’s program that prepares students to enter the workforce and develop essential skills for a successful career and requests the House adopt Amendment #312 (Moran) to increase funding to $3M.
Enhance CVTE
CVTE is an effective method for training our next generation of talent with the skills they need to be successful in the workforce. We would ask that you continue your critical investments by restoring the Innovation Pathways Expansion (7027-0020) to its FY25 level.
We were grateful for the House’s $50M investment into CVTE expansion (1596-2513) included in excess surtax funding bill (H.4010). This funding increases student access to CVTE by expanding existing capacity. As you are aware, the demand for seats at our Vocational-Technical schools has continued to far outpace current capacity limits, and the additional funding found within this budget (7035-0001) will help prepare our students for in-demand jobs in all regions of the Commonwealth. We would ask that you increase funding for this important line item to $5M by adopting Amendment #1166 (Sousa).
Support our Career Technical Institutes
Increasing funding for Career Technical Institutes will extend additional CVTE opportunities to adult learners by building out industry recognized credentialing pathways in technical and trade fields. This benefits both program participants and employers who are seeking talent amid a shortage of workers. The coalition urges you to increase funding for this item by adopting Amendment #807 (Fluker-Reid).
Thank you for prioritizing the workforce and employees of today and tomorrow. The coalition looks forward to being a resource as the Legislature continues to prioritize skills development and attainment.
Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills
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