Dear MWA Members,

2020 was a year like no other. We were confronted with a public health crisis that challenged us professionally and personally in ways we could have hardly imagined just one year ago. Like you, MWA was forced to pivot overnight and find new ways to show value while continuing to advocate, lead, and convene on behalf of the Massachusetts workforce system.

In this first Quarterly Voice of 2021, read below to learn more about what we accomplished together in 2020. While we miss in-person events, the lessons learned from our virtual convenings over the past 12 months will serve us well as we think of new ways to engage, learn, and convene with one another.

Thank you for all that you do for people and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Best,

Tonja Mettlach
Raija Vaisanen
ADVOCATE
MWA advocates for public policies and resources to support our members in meeting the talent needs of local businesses and connecting job seekers to employment and career pathways.
State and Federal Legislative Advocacy
Throughout 2020, MWA was busy advocating for various workforce legislation and more funding for the workforce system.

Our collective efforts included:
  • Over 20 state and federal meetings with staff and legislators, both in person and virtual
  • Two in person State House briefings on MassHire Career Centers and AVTE legislation
  • 5 virtual Workforce Conversations with state and federal legislators and other officials; and
  • Securing an additional $1 million for MassHire Career Centers in the FY21 budget
Advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels in 2021 will continue to be a top priority for MWA. Ensuring the workforce system has the resources it needs to effectively serve the number of businesses and job seekers who will need assistance in the months and years to come remains a top priority for MWA and our members. 
Op-Ed in Boston Business Journal Promotes Workforce Investment
MWA’s Associate Director, Raija Vaisanen, had an op-ed published in the Boston Business Journal on March 10th titled “Invest in Workforce Now to Ensure Equitable Economic Recovery.” You can find a copy of the article on our blog here with a link to the BBJ version (may be behind a paywall). 
LEAD
MWA is a thought-leader for workforce development, sharing best practices and elevating our members’ local expertise and strengths statewide and nationwide.
MWA 2020 Salary Survey

MWA developed, launched and analyzed its first salary survey to help members understand salaries and benefits for several job categories: Workforce Board Executive Director, Career Center Director, Chief Fiscal Manager/CFO, Youth Manager, and Frontline staff (i.e. Business Service Representatives, Career Specialists, etc.). MWA received near full participation and shared results in early February. Feedback has been positive so far, with several members saying they had already used it to evaluate current positions within their organizations. MWA will likely repeat the survey every 3-5 years.
CONVENE
MWA convenes our members for strategic partnership development,
peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.
Since the start of the pandemic, MWA also hosted:
MWA Quarterly Networking Returns Virtually with Trivia!
MWA is pleased to offer members a way to gather informally and have some fun, even in this virtual environment. Friday, March 19th from 4:30 - 5:45PM we'll gather via Zoom and have a Trivia Host join us to facilitate some good natured competition among friends and colleagues. Click here to register.
Comings and Goings
MWA welcomes the following new members:

  • Lisa Vermette, Ph.D., Director of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council
  • Brian Norris, Interim Executive Director of the MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board, previously of the Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium
  • Paul Ventresca, Interim Director of the MassHire North Shore Career Center

BOARD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Two Seats Open on MWA Board
MWA is always looking for nominations for our Board of Directors, and we will be looking in particular to fill two open seats this June. Our 15-member Board is composed of knowledgeable leaders from business, nonprofit, labor, and the workforce system. The Board is private sector-led and helps guide the strategic direction of the organization. A description of what this work entails can be found here.

If you know anyone who would be a good fit from your region to work with us, please fill out a brief nomination form telling us about them here. Feel free to contact Tonja or Raija with any questions.
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