Baker Administration Launches Jobs Program for Private Employers
Last week, Governor Baker and his administration launched HireNow, a workforce development program designed to provide private employers with the financial resources to immediately hire and train new employees.
HireNow aims to address hiring challenges faced by employers brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of today, there are approximately 200,000 open available across the Bay State. The program is supported by $50 million in American Rescue Plan funds and streamlines the funds directly to employers so they can hire workers immediately and train them at virtually no extra expense.
The program will provide eligible employers, (i.e., private for-profit or non-profit companies) with a $4,000 grant-per-employee to be used to cover the costs of training, or, as a sign-on bonus. Employers may be approved for a total of 100 employees ($400,000 in state funding) through this program. All funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and are available until December 31st, 2022, or until funds are exhausted.
Of note, local, state, and federal government jobs are excluded. Employees must remain with the company for at least 60 days for employers to receive funding and must be Massachusetts residents.
Employers can click here to register as a HireNow employer. Once registration is complete, employers can apply for a grant for each new employee hired, once that employee has been employed for at least 60 days by that organization.
For more information on this, or any other employment and labor law matter, please contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm LLP; (413) 586-2288. We know business matters!
