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Workforce Development

Ensuring the full participation of all Boston residents in the City's economic vitality and future.

The Office of Workforce Development (OWD) works toward the full participation of all Boston residents in the city’s economic vitality and future. It connects low-income residents with job training and employment opportunities. It also promotes lifelong literacy and educational pathways.

OWD focuses on competitive workforce development initiatives and policies. These initiatives aim to put Boston’s youth and adults on career paths toward economic security. OWD stresses the importance of collaboration with the City’s workforce development and education initiatives. The emphasis is on empowering Bostonians to fulfill their educational and employment aspirations.

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Immigrant-Serving Workforce Development Programs and Organizations

Immigrant Resources

Adult Literacy Initiative

The Adult Literacy Initiative is a collection of adult literacy programs that provide adult learners with a wide range of services, including basic literacy skills classes, high school equivalency exam preparation, college preparation, and English language classes for non-native speakers.

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Massachusetts Adult Literacy Help Desk 

The Massachusetts Adult Literacy Help Desk connects adult learners with the programs and services they need to learn, grow, and achieve their personal, professional, and community goals.

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African Bridge Network 

The Immigrant Fellowship Program is a paid 10-week internship with healthcare and finance employers to help skilled immigrants transition into professional careers. Work authorization is required.

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BEST Hospitality

The Introduction to Hospitality, Housekeeping Pre-Apprenticeship provides high-quality hotel jobs training and wrap-around services. Work authorization is required.

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Jewish Vocational Service

The Caring for Our Seniors, Nurse's Aid Training & Pharmacy Technician training prepares participants for careers in healthcare. Work authorization is required.

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Mujeres Unidas Avanzando 

The Clinical Medical Assistant Program helps English Language Learners complete a Medical Assistant Training (CMA) program. Work authorization is required.

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The Jamaica Plain Community Centers Adult Learning Program

The Certified Nursing Assistant Certification for English Language Learners helps residents pursue CNA and CPR credentials while improving their English language proficiency. Work authorization is required.

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Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

The ESOL for Customer Service program integrates ESOL instruction with general workplace and industry-specific skills and includes career counseling and case management services. Work authorization is required. In-process work authorizations are accepted between January and April.

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Haitian American Multi-Service Center/Catholic Charities

The ESOL for Human Services & Healthcare program provides ESOL classes and job training for healthcare and human services careers. Work authorization is not required.

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Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI)

The ESOL for Workforce program provides low-level English speakers with ESOL instruction, career-focused classes, computer skills, and financial literacy classes in healthcare. The program serves and supports primarily recent Haitian immigrants to Boston. Work authorization is required.

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Rian Immigrant Center

The Rian Immigrant Center empowers immigrant and refugee families from over 120 countries with a comprehensive range of support services, including online ESOL, digital literacy classes, career coaching, and citizenship tutoring. Languages: Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, English, Filipino, French, German, Haitian Creole, Irish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.

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Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center Inc.,

The Asian Elder Drop-In Service is a social services program for low-income seniors with limited English proficiency. It provides economic, housing, and health insurance status support. Bilingual and bicultural assistance is available in person and remotely. Languages: Chinese, English.

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Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)

GBLS provides free legal assistance to families and individuals living in poverty to help them assert their rights and secure the most basic necessities of life. Languages: Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Vietnamese.

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La Alianza Hispana, Inc.

La Alianza Hispana provides educational, health, financial literacy, work readiness support, and recreational activities to low-income Latino seniors and disabled individuals. It serves primarily new immigrants with limited English, education level, and work experience. Languages: English, Spanish.

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Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)

MAPS provides health and social services to Brazilian, Cabo Verdean, Portuguese, and other Portuguese-speaking communities. Languages: English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Vietnamese.

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Somali Development Center 

The Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency (RESS) program provides employment training and support to African refugees and immigrants (ages 16-60) including job readiness, job placement, legal assistance, financial literacy classes, and ESOL classes/referrals. Languages: Amharic, English, Somali.

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Partner Forms

Forms

The Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) Program Guide is a handbook for contracted service providers to implement NJT Job Training Services. It includes:

  • a description of NJT
  • grant requirements
  • best practices for programs
  • procedures
  • a basic timeline for procedures during the grant period
  • a glossary of acronyms, and
  • information on data collection.

All sample forms and informational documents are included within the handbook. Please use this handbook as a resource for questions concerning NJT procedures regarding your program contract.

If you have additional questions, contact Anna Sherr, Senior Program Manager for NJT, at anna.sherr@boston.gov.

View the NJT Program Guide

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