July 22, 2010
BOSTON — State Representative Jen Benson yesterday joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in restoring $12.5 million to the Workforce Training Fund which provides employers with grants aimed at educating and training existing members of the workforce as well as new hires.
"My goal is to help our local businesses retain and hire new employees," said Benson. "Fully funding the Workforce Training Fund helps workers expand their skills and gives employers the financial assistance needed to train new employees."
In order to reinstate the $12.5 million in funding, the House overrode a gubernatorial veto. The legislature's conference committee budget which passed last month provided $24 million for the Workforce Training Fund. The House's veto override restored the funding for Workforce Training grants to the level of $24 million.
Through the beginning of this year, more than $175 million in grants have been awarded to train almost a quarter-million workers through the Workforce Training Fund.
