Gov. Maura Healey appointed a labor and workforce improvement secretary with ties to former Boston mayor and present U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and previous Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick.
The new secretary, Lauren Jones, lives in Boston and is at the moment the chief vp of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, based on a Wednesday announcement from Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.
Jones was communications director for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development beneath former Gov. Patrick, and “created and led” a enterprise technique unit for Walsh’s Office of Community Development, “supporting business attraction and employer engagement in the city of Boston,” throughout his time as mayor, the assertion stated.
“Massachusetts is facing a serious workforce shortage, and it’s negatively impacting our workers, employers and economic competitiveness,” Healey stated in a press release.
“Lauren Jones has a proven track record of collaborating with business and labor to expand workforce development opportunities, attract new businesses to our state, and give both workers and employers the support they need.”
Jones has greater than 17 years of expertise working in native and state authorities, nonprofits and the personal sector, with a spotlight in workforce improvement. In her present function, she leads workforce improvement coverage and technique for the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.
During her time with Boston-based nonprofit Apprenti, she labored with firms to domesticate and diversify tech expertise within the Bay State, by registered apprenticeships, Healey’s workplace stated.
Prior to working for Walsh, Jones held a number of roles within the Patrick-Murray administration, along with her stint as labor and workforce improvement spokesperson.
She was coverage and communications director for former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and senior program supervisor of the financial improvement incentive program within the Office of Business Development, Healey’s workplace stated.
“Finding skilled talent for in-demand roles is among the greatest challenges impacting Massachusetts’ economy,” Jones stated in a press release.
“We need to harness the full potential of our community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs and untapped talent to train the next generation of workers who will drive our economy, and we need to make sure those workers’ rights are protected along the way.”
Jones’ point out of neighborhood faculties references considered one of Healey’s Inauguration Day bulletins: that she would search to make free neighborhood faculties for adults 25 and older.
As a part of her present function, Jones co-chairs the Workforce Solutions Group and is a board member for the Massachusetts Workforce Association and the Executive Committee for the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education.
She serves on the board of advisors for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Boston Private Industry Council, and is a previous member of the Future of Work Commission.
Jones has a grasp’s diploma in public administration from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s diploma in political science from Providence College.
Mike Doheny, undersecretary of labor for Gov. Charlie Baker, will proceed as appearing labor and workforce improvement secretary till Jones is sworn in.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”