ARTICLE PROVIDED BY LCTV

 The City of Lynn is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a Workforce Development Plan that will support the existing workforce within the City  and growing industries in the region.

The goal is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the City’s workforce and the regional labor market in order to create pathways for employment in industries targeted for growth. The City is also interested in better understanding and developing solutions to the barriers Lynn residents face related to employment access and advancement. Among the barriers that have been identified include lack of access to childcare and transportation, English fluency, and immigrants’ non-transferrable credentials.

The Workforce Development Plan Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the following organizations: MassHire North Shore, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute/Lynn Public Schools, North Shore Community College, North Shore Latino Business Association, EforAll/EparaTodos, Lynn Community Health Center, Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce, North Shore Labor Council/E-Team Machinist Program, New Lynn Coalition – Lynn Community Enrichment Program, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO), and Pathways.

The plan will link local workforce development resources and the regional labor market, identify goals and actions the City and partners can take to facilitate workforce development, and prepare residents to take advantage of opportunities for career advancement.

As part of this plan, the City aims to provide accessible and equitable opportunities to existing workers, particularly individuals earning lower wages and immigrants/non-native English speakers, as well as young adults (ages 14-26) to enter priority industries. The priority industries in the Workforce Development Plan include health care, technology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, construction, education, and life sciences.