For Immediate Release

June 30, 2010

Contact: Alison Harris, EOLWD, 617-626-7121

Patrick-Murray Administration Distributes $2 Million for On-the-Job

Education Training

Grants released to 11 organizations across MA, more than

600 individuals will be trained

BOSTON – Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Governor Deval Patrick today

announced that La Alianza Hispana will receive $140,306 in funding from
the Learn at Work program to provide workplace educational services to
low-literacy and low English proficiency workers.

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Joanne F. Goldstein,

was on site today at La Alianza Hispana along with officials from Morgan
Memorial Goodwill Industries to announce the grant. La Alianza Hispana
is one of 11 organizations statewide that will receive funding as part of a
$2 million grant distribution. Thanks to these funds, 629 individuals across
Massachusetts will receive training over the next three years.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has allocated

$1,600,000 in workforce training and American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to support Learn at Work. The program,
launched last November, is also supplemented by $400,000 from the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Learn at Work
promotes public-private partnerships across industries throughout the
Commonwealth that specifically focus on workplace Basic Skills and
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for youths and adult age
workers. Participants must be 16 and older, employed and not enrolled in
high school. Classes can include adult basic education (reading, writing
and computation below high school diploma level), ESOL education, and
may also offer basic computer instruction.

"Through Learn at Work, we are creating partnerships with business,

educators and labor organizations and bringing valuable educational
opportunities directly to the workplace," said Governor Patrick. "This
program matters for employees and employers alike and promises to
make our workforce and our economy stronger."
"We appreciate the recommendation by the Workforce Investment Board
to create the Learn at Work program," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy
Murray. "These grants will not only improve the efficiency and workplace
environment for many employers, but will also provide critical skills to
support the training and development of their employees."

The grants range from approximately $100,000-225,000 and have been

directed to the following organizations:

• Asian American Civic Association - Boston, $221,398

• Community Learning Center - Cambridge & Medford, $193,303

• 1199 SEIU TUF - Saugus & Wakefield, $102,376

• Jewish Vocational Service-Boston Metro North & North Shore

communities, $225,000

• La Alianza Hispana - Boston, $140,306

• Quincy Asian Resources- Quincy & Rockland, $185,765

• Russian Community Association - Lynn, $225,000

• UMass Amherst Labor Management Workplace Education -

Springfield, $225,000

• UMass Dartmouth Worker Education Program - Assonet,

$170,355

• UMass Memorial Health Care -Worcester, $155,617

• Worker Education Program - Carver, $157,788

These organizations and their employer partners will offer work-based

programs in and around the communities they serve.

"These investments are a big help for hundreds in our state looking to give
their careers a boost and for employers who will benefit from having a
more skilled, diverse workforce, and it's all happening because of the
Recovery Act," said Senator John Kerry.

A committee comprised of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce

Development, Executive Office of Education, Massachusetts Workforce
Investment Board, the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education and staff from both the Workforce Investment Act Association of
MA and the MA Workforce Board Association selected the grant
recipients. In order to be eligible to receive funding, applicants had to
include at least one employer and one provider of adult basic education
services acting in partnership. Grant recipients developed a curriculum
that addresses workers' job-related English, writing, reading,
communication or math needs, as well as their personal goals.

"The Learn at Work program is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's

overall efforts to give workers the tools they need to succeed in the
workplace," said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne
Goldstein. "The program provides incumbent workers with the access to
basic skill development programs, which lead to improved performance."

Secretary of Education Paul Reville said, "Employers and employees will

both benefit greatly from the access to instruction and support powered by
these grants. A highly educated, highly talented workforce is the key to our
economic vitality and our success as a Commonwealth."

“Workforce and job training programs are a key for many workers to better
their skills and further their personal economic dreams” said Senator
Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Jamaica Plain). “In these difficult fiscal times, it is
crucial that we as a state continue to fund job training programs to do our
part in stimulating the economy. I commend the Patrick-Murray
Administration for their continued commitment and I applaud La Alianza
Hispana for their dedication in bettering our community.”

“La Alianza is so proud to be one of the organizations receiving this

funding for the Learn at Work program," said Janet Collazo, Executive
Director, La Alianza Hispana, Inc. "We are thrilled to be able to provide
these services in the Latino community, knowing that improving one's
English speaking skills is a critical first step in becoming more competitive
in the work force. With this funding, we will be opening a world of
opportunity to so many Latino workers."

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/eolwd.

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