Rapid Response Layoff AversionBusiness Services Helping Businesses throughout

Rapid Response Layoff Aversion/Business Services Helping Businesses throughout their Business Cycle !! Ensuring Businesses know and understand all of the options and advantages we bring to the table ! Building Business relationships one business at a time !!! Charles D. Baker, Governor Ronald L. Walker, II, Secretary Alice Sweeney, Director

What is the function of Rapid Response ? • To provide Information and services for companies and employees that are effected by business transitions. • To offer Layoff Aversion strategies • To connect other services / agencies that can assist in these transitions • To provide direct services for both business and employees • Act as a gateway into the One Stop System

What is Rapid Response It is NOT event-driven! It is a pro-active approach to planning for and managing economic transitions. Rapid Response requires: • Ongoing efforts to build relationships with employers and other community stakeholders • Knowledge of labor market trends and economic forecasts • Strategic planning, data gathering and analysis designed to anticipate, prepare for, and manage economic transition • Understanding workforce assets and needs • Convening, facilitating, and brokering connections, networks, and partners • Planning for and responding to layoffs, minimizing their impacts wherever possible

One Statewide Team Rapid Response Locations • Boston • Leominster • Lawrence • Brockton • Cambridge • North Hampton • AFL/CIO Union Staff

Rapid Response Consistency is the key • All RR staff are cross trained in all business services, Unemployment Assistance services, Career Center services, WIA/ WIOA • Consistent workshop materials • Statewide reporting RR Business services system (MOSES) • By-weekly RR coordinator meetings • Biz. Works involvement

Rapid Response initiated programs • Response to company closures and layoffs • Layoff Aversion/ Company matching • Rapid Response (RR) Set Aside • National Emergency Grants • Trade Adjustment Assistance

Pro-active Rapid Response Networking and early warning systems “Strategies for aversion that start with the first contact” (what does this mean? ) • Never acknowledging that the event will result in layoff or closure - explore and review all options with all parties involved. • When explaining options relate real time examples • Make sure Rapid Response staff understand all of the available options and when to broker activities

Tracking of Rapid Response services • All Company information and services • All employee registration and services • MOSES system Massachusetts One Stop Employment System • TAA/RR/NEG - system

Department of Career Services Rapid Response Set Aside Funding

Set Aside Funds • Allows Rapid Response 25% funds to be utilized for additional assistance to local area’s experiencing events that substantially increase the number of unemployed individuals • Direct services to participants (such as, intensive and training services) if there are not adequate local funds available

Utilization of Set-Aside Funds • Funds for a layoff or layoffs that would be to small to apply for a National Emergency Grant (NEG) • For use as a bridge while waiting for NEG funds to arrive • Assistance with Trade related companies

Quick Turnaround Funding • Once a proposal is approved the field is notified immediately • In addition, the goal of the set aside process is that funding is issued within a two week time frame.

Grant Tracking • All programmatic grant information is captured on the Massachusetts One-Stop Employment system (MOSES) • All fiscal information is tracked separately through the finance department (FSR’s)

Mass Biz. Works Connecting business to state and federal resources to meet business needs www. mass. gov/lwd/employmen

Expanding Business Engagement The Expanding Business Engagement (EBE) Initiative was a federal initiative commenced in June 2012 and involved thirteen states. States that participated in the Initiative focused on the goal of improving program performance through the delivery of enhanced business-focused services stemming from a statewide business engagement strategic plan. Colorado Florida Indiana Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Montana New Jersey North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina

Mass Biz. Works Flow Chart

Mass Biz. Works Providing Services Throughout the Business Cycle

Contact www. mass. gov/bizworks@detma. org 800 -252 -1591 Direct Contact: Ken Messina, Business Services Manager kmessina@detma. org 617 -626 -5703 We can help you. 25