Problem
Many low-income individuals who do not speak English as their first language face several challenges from obtaining meaningful full-time positions with stable wages in key industry sectors or to excel in their careers.
Solution
Mayor Kim Driscoll helped create an occupational skills training program in Salem, Massachusetts aimed at low-income, unemployed or underemployed non-native English speakers that focuses first on key career skills (i.e. Microsoft Office and general computer skills) and then on specific emerging industry sectors. The City partnered with the regional Workforce Investment Board and Career Center, the community college system, local major healthcare employers (two major hospitals), and other community level stakeholders to help make this program a success . The program has already successfully matched many of these individuals to full-time employment in its first year and Mayor Driscoll is hopeful for expanding the program to reach more participants.