Forum for 21st Century Focuses on Workforce Development in Massachusetts

By Jeanne Wallace-Buckley

On November 19, the twentieth Forum for the 21st Century examined “The Future of Workforce Development in Massachusetts.” The event was co-sponsored by UMass Boston, MassINC, Commonwealth Corporation, the John F. Kennedy Library, and media partner WGBH. The event brought together players from the worlds of business, labor, higher education, government, and community-based organizations.

Martha Kanter, president of De Anza College in California, opened with a presentation detailing lessons to be learned from California, which has put in place a formal system of economic and workforce development through legislation and public policies. “It is critical to understand that work and school are integral,” said Kanter, a widely recognized leader in innovative collaborations between education and business for the purpose of economic and workforce development.

This point was echoed by Massachusetts AFL-CIO president Robert Haynes, a former university trustee and alumnus, who noted, “What we are really talking about here is people, and providing economic security to citizens.” In order to meet the needs of both workers and business, there must be a “broad range of educational venues,” from English as a Second Language (ESL) to university degree programs.

The other distinguished panelists responded to Kanter’s presentation and lessons to be learned from California. Janice Bourque, executive director of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, reiterated the importance of educators and industry collaborating to develop curricula. David Hartleb, president of Northern Essex Community College, commented that it was important to create collaborations between community-based organizations (CBOs) and community colleges that clearly define their goals and missions.

Those community-based organizations “are on the front line, working directly with the community,” explained Darnell Williams, president and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. “We make vital contributions, yet we’re not represented at the table in essential discussions on workforce development.”

“Learn to earn” was how Representative Peter Larkin, house chairman of the Joint Committee on Education, Arts, and Humanities in the Massachusetts Legislature summarized the role of education in workforce development. He also advocated providing “opportunities for lifelong learning.”

Rounding out the panelists’ comments was Stephen Tocco, chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. “Two-thirds of the Massachusetts workforce was educated in public education—that’s where the rubber meets the road,” he said. “Yet we are the most severely impacted in budget cuts.”

He went on to say that the funding of public higher education must be seen as an investment in workforce development, with level funding to prevent the system from “lurching” in response to economic cycles.

The Forum for the 21st Century: Shaping Boston’s Future series was launched in 1996 by Hubie Jones, special assistant to the chancellor for urban affairs, and has served to “focus public discourse on the social and economic development challenges facing Boston” presently and in the future.

“The forums have been good public conversations about the issues and challenges facing Boston,” said Jones. “This is not just about people in a room—it is about broader access to the issues and information.”

WGBH will rebroadcast the forum on January 26 at 6 p.m.

Image: Hubie Jones, the organizer of the event and Chancellor Gora’s special assistant for urban affairs, and one of the forum speakers, Tripp Jones, executive director of MassInc (Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth) meet together during the forum. (Photo by Harry Brett)

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