History and Statement of Purpose

History:The Massachusetts Workforce Alliance (MWA) was originally formed in mid-2000 and became a coalition of ten practitioner coalitions representing over 400 Massachusetts community based, non-profit and other workforce development organizations. In 2007, MWA merged with one of its founding members, the Boston Workforce Development Coalition (BWDC),  and began accepting organizational and individual members in addition to the traditional coalition members. MWA is committed to working collaboratively with all organizations which initiate, support, administer, and implement policies and programs that expand resources to support effective education, training, and employment services for low income Massachusetts residents.

Statement of Purpose: MWA orginally came together as a response to the shift in government policy and public dialogue away from serving the poor, at the same time that there were dramatic changes in the economy and labor market. As a result, significant numbers of Massachusetts residents do not have a realistic opportunity of obtaining decent jobs with family sustaining wages. In addition, community based, non-profit organizations (CBOs) are particularly threatened in this environment, along with the communities they serve. MWA works to change this by clarifying what is happening in workforce development, demonstrating how current policies adversely affect many communities and employers, and working with low income communities towards long term solutions.

MWA focuses attention and resources on the long term interests and current needs of low income communities by working at a statewide policy and advocacy level to:

1. Change the face of the workforce development system;
2. Develop legislation, public funding, and administrative practices which support delivery of effective education, training, & employment services accessible to Massachusetts' low income communities;
3. Build awareness both of the labor market needs of low income residents and critical public policy issues within low income communities, CBOs providing workforce development services, workforce development system stakeholders, and the general public;
4. Build a comprehensive and effective workforce development system capable of meeting the varying labor market needs of low income residents and also capable of meeting the hiring needs of Massachusetts employers;
5. Continuously develop and apply high standards and goals for publicly funded workforce development systems and programs; and
6. Support and enhance the role of CBOs and other organizations which provide effective workforce development services to residents of low income communities.