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Commonwealth Corporation details training programs that funnel workers to small businesses; asks for continued support
Summary
Commonwealth Corporation officials outlined workforce training programs that support small businesses, including the Workforce Training Fund, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and the Career Technical Initiative, and reported $130 million in grants awarded in fiscal 2024.
Commonwealth Corporation officials told the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business that state-administered workforce programs are helping small businesses train and hire workers but will need continued legislative support.
Tom Hooper, vice president of sector pathways at Commonwealth Corporation (ComCorp), provided program details and results. "In fiscal year 2024, Com Corp awarded over $130,000,000 in grants," Hooper said, adding that ARPA funds had increased capacity for several programs and reached tens of thousands of participants.
Hooper described three related workforce initiatives: the Workforce Training Fund, which provides employer-directed training and grant assistance; the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF), which funds short-term sector-based training and industry credentials; and the Career Technical Initiative (CTI), which expands vocational training for adults ("after dark") through regional vocational schools. He said in fiscal 2024 ComCorp approved more than 2,600 Workforce Training Fund grants that helped roughly 1,400 small businesses train more than 16,500 incumbent workers.
Hooper said the WCTF and CTI work with employers, community colleges, workforce boards and community organizations to create pipelines into high-demand sectors such as health care, manufacturing and the skilled trades. "In June 2024, Monte Tech graduated 53 adult students who completed training in electrical, plumbing, HVAC and carpentry," he said as an example of outcomes from CTI funding.
The witness also detailed supports for jobseekers with barriers to employment, including returning citizens and people with disabilities. He noted programs that partner with corrections, employers and training providers to place graduates in IT and health-care roles.
Committee members asked whether federal funding volatility would affect ComCorp programming. Hooper said ARPA-funded grants are largely obligated, reducing near-term exposure, but he urged continued state support to sustain pipelines and employer partnerships.
No committee votes were taken during the informational presentation, but members requested follow-up materials on FY25 and FY26 funding expectations and regional program performance.
