Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Nearly $14.4M for Youth Jobs; Launches YES Initiative

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Press Release

Press Release Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Nearly $14.4 Million for Youth Jobs; Launches YES Initiative to Expand Youth Employment and Skills Training

Youth Employment and Skills (YES) Initiative creates an umbrella for youth jobs and skills programs

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For immediate release: 4/13/2026
- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

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Media Contact

Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications

Online

Email Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications at eolwdpress@mass.gov

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Video: Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2026 YouthWorks Grants

Skip this video Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2026 YouthWorks Grants. You skipped the video, Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2026 YouthWorks Grants. Springfield — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nearly $14.4 million to hire 3,786 youth and young adults for summer and year-round jobs through the state’s YouthWorks program. The administration also launched the Youth Employment and Skills (YES) initiative, designed to connect employers with opportunities to support youth employment and skills development across Massachusetts. Employers and can visit mass.gov/YES to learn how to get involved and help build a statewide network dedicated to supporting youth employment.

Since 2023, nearly 19,000 youth and young adults gained employment through YouthWorks, administered by Commonwealth Corporation and in partnership with MassHire regional workforce boards, local community-based organizations, municipalities, and employers for job placements from camp counselors to IT to communications.

“We’re connecting almost 3,800 young people to jobs and skills training across Massachusetts at a time when employers need talent and young people are looking for opportunity,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re bringing those together by creating real pathways to work, skills, and success. These experiences help young people build their future while helping businesses grow and compete. That’s why we’re saying yes to youth jobs and yes to the future of our economy.”

“We want to remind young people and employers that Yes, Massachusetts is the best place to build talent, gain skills, and start a career,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration appreciates its partnerships with local workforce boards and employers working to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of today’s economy and the future.”

Lt. Governor Driscoll and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones announced the YouthWorks grants and YES Initiative during a youth employment roundtable in Springfield. The YES initiative builds on the momentum of the Gateway Youth Employment Pilot, launched in December 2025, which has encouraged MassHire regional workforce boards to engage with more than 560 employers, including approximately 40 new employers who pledged to hire youth this summer in Pittsfield, Springfield, Holyoke, Taunton, Fall River, Salem, and Lynn. Employers interested in hiring or employers with plans to hire this summer are encouraged to visit www.mass.gov/YES to join the administration’s YES Initiative.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is excited to launch YES, tapping programs like YouthWorks and other initiatives to encourage more employers to hire youth as we grow Massachusetts’ talent pipeline,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “By collaborating with MassHire, local workforce partners, and area employers, we are identifying best practices and effective connections to give young people early exposure in our workforce and regional economies across the Commonwealth. We hope more employers will join us in saying YES to youth employment and skill building."

For summer 2026 and school year 2027, the 16 MassHire regional workforce boards across the state will receive nearly $14.4 million in grants. The grants will fund paid, short-term work placements throughout the year at public, private, and nonprofit work sites, with the highest engagement expected during the summer months. Participants will receive essential job readiness training, mentorship, and the opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals in their areas of interest. Additionally, participants will be guided on how to further their education and career pathways.

“We are deeply grateful for the commitment of our grantees and employer partners who invest their time and expertise to create meaningful workforce development experiences that help young people across the state build confidence, skills and pathways towards their future career goals,” said Molly Jacobson, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation.

Statements of Support

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno:

“I know a lot of young people out there who want to work, be productive, help out their families, earn and save some money, get an idea of what being part of the workforce means, and see what opportunities are out there. We all remember our first jobs and what they meant to us, that feeling of responsibility and self-worth that is fostered with good employment that matches your skillset. These opportunities are important and they benefit our students, young people, and local employers too. I am grateful for the continued collaboration from Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, and MassHire on empowering our youth and strengthening our future workforce.”

Peter Farkas, President & CEO, MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board:

“The importance of YouthWorks and the EOLWD Summer Youth Employment Initiative cannot be overstated, as they provide young people with critical early work experience, skill development, and exposure to career pathways. Over the past four years, the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board has connected more than 3,400 youth with local employers and aims to serve 980 more this year. By investing in these programs, we are strengthening our workforce pipeline and supporting the long-term economic vitality of Hampden County.”

Cole Angley, Executive Director, Massachusetts Workforce Association:

“Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration & Sec. Jones for their investment and placing a priority on youth employment. These investments connect youth to their first experience in the workforce and helps build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s economy.”

The grant recipients and youths to be served include:

MassHire Berkshire

Berkshire Training and Employment, Inc. will provide participants with hands-on learning and placements, including automotive and welding, through partnerships with employers in the region— $345,600 to engage 50 youth.

MassHire Boston

The City of Boston Office of Workforce Development will provide youth placements across multiple sectors. They will leverage their robust partner ecosystem to create meaningful industry pathways, so youths can build skills and experience over multiple years — $2,520,000 to engage 504 youth.

MassHire Bristol

Bristol County Training Consortium will connect youth, especially those facing barriers, to paid work experiences, career exploration, and postsecondary pathways — $950,400 to engage 171 youth.

MassHire Brockton

The Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board will implement career readiness programs and certifications that expand access to paid jobs, including the Aerial Lift Training Program — $691,200 to engage 325 youth.

MassHire Cape Cod

The MassHire Cape Cod & Islands Workforce Boardswill work with ArtWorks, a youth-focused initiative that connects young adults to career pathways in the arts, reinforcing a sense of belonging and increasing retention. Many students participate in ArtWorks, which enables youth to build strong artist portfolios for college and future career opportunities — $144,000 to engage 84 youth.

MassHire Central

The MassHire Central Region Workforce Board’s programming focuses on industry exposure, mentorship, real-world experience, networking, and career exploration opportunities. Through a coalition of community partners, they will provide work experience in industries ranging from advanced manufacturing to government to financial services—$1,296,000 to engage 375 youth.

MassHire Franklin Hampshire

The Franklin Hampshire Employment and Training Consortium, in partnership with Greenfield Community College and MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center, will provide youth with workforce training programs for credential attainment in industries such as Early Childhood Education, Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Manufacturing, and HVAC— $338,400 to engage 125 youth.

MassHire Greater Lowell

The City of Lowell, through MassHire Lowell Career Center, will work with Greater Lowell Technical High School to implement the Certified Nursing Assistant training program and provide certifications in high-demand industries like healthcare, general construction, and IT/Green energy — $662,400 to engage 180 youth.

MassHire Greater New Bedford

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board will support placement in the clean energy sector, project-based learning in robotics, early childcare and development, and carpentry apprenticeship. They will intentionally engage older youth in aligned summer youth employment opportunities — $648,000 to engage 200 youth.

MassHire Hampden County

The MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Inc. will focus on their peer leader development program, significantly expanding the organizational capacity to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed career readiness programming. This enhanced capacity will ensure that participating youth receive consistent, meaningful support that advances their academic, social, and workforce success — $1,872,000 to engage 500 youth.

MassHire Merrimack Valley

MassHire Merrimack Valley will continue to provide young participants with service, project-based learning, and subsidized work experiences across various industries including STEM, Education, Performing Arts, and Finance.  These activities assist youth in developing confidence, job, and life skills. It promotes equity, financial empowerment, and career pathways opportunities while allowing youth to contribute to their community —$1,022,400 to engage 300 youth.

MassHire Metro North

The Metro North Regional Employment Board will focus on Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, STEM, Green Tech and Biotech, Urban Farming, and Climate Resiliency through partnerships with community organizations — $1,468,800 to engage 295 youth.

MassHire Metro Southwest

The Metro South/West MassHire Regional Workforce Board is emphasizing their programming on behavioral health, in addition to CPR and First Aid, and will offer Entrepreneurship, Community Health, and Teen Mental Health First Aid certifications to youth — $662,400 to engage 155 youth.

MassHire North Central

The MassHire North Central Workforce Board, Inc., supports the service-learning and job placement of youth in education, film and media, and healthcare positions. Through a partnership with Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) they will offer free transportation for youth in programming as a support service — $273,600 to engage 55 youth.

MassHire North Shore

The MassHire North Shore Workforce Board will partner with a wide range of organizations, including but not limited to the Cities of Lynn & Salem, NSCDC, Peabody Access TV, Leap4Education to support training and workforce learning opportunities across multiple career pathways for participants— $878,400 to engage 300 youth.

MassHire South Shore

MassHire South Shore Workforce Board and its partners, including Quincy, Randolph, and Middleborough, provide a continuum of career support, from college-credit courses and internships to wraparound services.  Participants will be prepared for careers in high-demand industries including healthcare, advanced manufacturing — $612,720 to engage 167 youth.

Media Contact

Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications

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Online

Email Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications at eolwdpress@mass.gov

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Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development builds a skilled workforce, connects talent to opportunity, supports those facing job loss or injury, and ensures safe workplaces.

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Media Contact

Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications

Online

Email Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications at eolwdpress@mass.gov

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Related

Youth Employment and Skills Initiative

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