"All we can do is try to get people reattached to the labor force as soon as we can," Acosta said. The governor's plan includes $1 billion for housing construction and homeownership supports, $450 million for economic development and $240 million for workforce training. The administration is also emailing benefit recipients to connect them with workforce training and job placement programs. Skills training, tech schoolsJim Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said the Legislature should use ARPA funds to improve "essential skills" training and eliminate the waiting list for admission into the state's vocational and technical high schools. David Podell, president of Massachusetts Bay Community College, said community colleges are uniquely positioned to absorb some of the workforce training needs.

Source: MetroXpress August 02, 2021 03:00 UTC