Worcester, MA, Aug 14, 2020 - The MassHire Central Region Workforce Board (MCRWB) was awarded a $225,000 grant to provide training and placement services that will help meet the regions' growing demand forCommercial Driver’s License (CDL) operators by preparing approximately 45 unemployed or underemployed participants for these high-priority, living wage positions. MCRWB was one of nine grantees to earn a chunk of the $2 million available from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD)." JobGet is proud to be the official job board partner for this CDL Training & Job Placement program.

One of nine grantees to earn a chunk of the $2 million available from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), the MCRWB’s application represents a public-private partnership that includes the City of Worcester Human Resources Department, Polar Beverages, Schneider Trucking, Advantage Truck Group, Highway Driver Leasing (Woman-Owned Business), Atlas Distributing, Inc., Guild of St. Agnes, Trucking Association ofMassachusetts, MassHire Career Center Worcester, MassHire North Central Career Center, New England Tractor Trailer Training School, Inc., JobGet, Worcester Jobs Fund, Worcester Community Action Council, United Way of CentralMassachusetts, United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Community Health Network, DTA Worcester Transitional Assistance Office, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.

"We know there will not be a one-to-one correlation between the jobs that people left and the jobs to which they return because of the COVID-19 shock," said EOLWD Secretary Rosalin Acosta. "Investing in programs like these is critical to helping workers and companies adapt to this ‘new normal."

Named for state Sen. Kenneth J. Donnelly, the Workforce Success Grants are funded through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF), which invests in programs that serve Massachusetts residents whose life experiences and circumstances make it difficult for them to succeed in employment without targeted support. Commonwealth Corporation administers the WCTF on behalf of the EOLWD.

"This important project builds on the success of the Worcester Jobs Fund and our ongoing efforts to provide all Worcester residents with the skills they need for good jobs with a living wage, including jobs in the City’s Department of Public Works," said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr.

The Worcester Jobs Fund currently offers free CDL training for eligible City of Worcester residents; this new project will align with that initiative.

JobGet is a mobile app that helps employers and job seekers connect instantly. Employers can hire as quickly as 24 hours, and job seekers can receive job offers as quickly as 24 hours through instant messaging or video interviews. JobGet is the 2019 Global Winner of the MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge, as well as the 2019 Gold Winner of MassChallenge. The platform works closely with the Mayor's Office of Economic Development as well as hundreds of local organizations and schools.

The MassHire Central Region Workforce Board (MCRWB) is a public/private partnership that serves the needs of diverse employers and job seekers by developing, coordinating, and implementing job readiness and career enhancement strategies, tactics, programs, and activities. With our partners, we identify and leverage community resources to promote economic robustness in the 38 cities and towns we serve.