MassHire Metro North Workforce Board

What MassHire Metro North Workforce Board does

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board (MNWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1995 that operates as one of sixteen statutorily designated Workforce Development Boards in Massachusetts under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The organization sets local workforce policy for 20 municipalities in the Metro North region, oversees a network of four MassHire Career Centers located in Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, and Woburn, and administers federal, state, municipal, and philanthropic funds for job training, employer recruitment services, youth workforce development, digital equity initiatives, and labor market data publication. Service recipients include job seekers and adult workers, employers across healthcare (74,395 regional workers), advanced manufacturing (48,222), retail (38,125), construction (24,466), and technology (12,099 software developers), youth aged 16-24, and specialized populations such as veterans, immigrants, people with disabilities, and older workers.

The organization delivers a portfolio of programs rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include MassHire Metro North Career Centers providing free career assessment and job search assistance, youth programs (Connecting Activities serving over 325 youth annually, YouthWorks serving over 300, and WIOA Youth Programs), employer services covering talent acquisition, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and layoff aversion (Mass BizWorks, Rapid Response, WorkShare), and specialized initiatives under the Work to Thrive umbrella including the NewBiz entrepreneurship program, Digital JEDI Consortium, and Workforce Resiliency Fund. Underlying technology is the state-wide MassHire JobQuest platform for job matching, supplemented by employer partner networks and the Metro North Regional STEM Network. The organization employs approximately 20+ staff across executive leadership, finance, strategy, workforce development, and communications functions.

MNWB's revenue model is grant-funded and donation-based with no fees charged to job seekers or employers. Primary funding flows from US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grants under WIOA and Massachusetts state workforce development appropriations, supplemented by municipal allocations (notably City of Somerville ARPA funds and Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund), competitive state grants (Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Executive Office of Economic Development), foundation grants (Cummings Foundation), and corporate donations (CVS Health). The go-to-market is relationship-driven across employers, schools, community-based organizations, and municipal partners rather than sales-led, with service delivery through in-person career centers, embedded school-based job coaches, partner organization locations, and digital navigators.

Name

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board

Legal name

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board

Website

https://masshiremetronorth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Workforce Development Board serving 20 municipalities in Massachusetts via four career centers, administering WIOA-funded employment, youth, and digital equity programs for job seekers, employers, and youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Career center services
• Youth employment programs
• Employer recruitment services
• WIOA workforce programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from US Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment and Training Administration grants and Massachusetts state workforce development funds under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Additional non-federal funded grants support specific programs.
2. Foundation and Corporate Donations: Receives philanthropic support from foundations (Cummings Foundation $225,000 grant) and corporate partners (CVS Health $50,000 donation) for specific workforce initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board provides free workforce development services to job seekers, employers, and youth across 20 municipalities in the Metro North Massachusetts region. Core offerings include job search and career assessment services at four MassHire Career Centers, employer recruitment and training support, youth internship and employment programs, and regional labor market data services, all funded by federal, state, municipal, and philanthropic sources.

Product overview

MassHire Metro North Workforce Board operates as a workforce development organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include MassHire Metro North Career Centers providing job search and employer services; youth programs (Connecting Activities, YouthWorks, WIOA Youth Programs); employer services (talent acquisition, training, layoff aversion); and specialized initiatives such as Work to Thrive (digital equity and entrepreneurship), the Metro North Regional STEM Network, and Regional Data Services. These services are delivered through career centers, partner organizations, and community programs across the Metro North region of Massachusetts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MassHire Metro North Career Centers (MNCC) Career centers providing employment services, career assessment, job training, and job search assistance for residents of the Metro North region; the Business Services team housed within works directly with employers to meet staffing needs at no cost.
• Employer Services Services for employers including talent acquisition, training for current workers (Workforce Training Fund, On-the-Job Training, Apprenticeships), and layoff aversion programs (Mass BizWorks, Rapid Response, WorkShare).
• Connecting Activities School-to-career employment program providing meaningful employment, internships, and work readiness training to youth each year, working within high schools in the region (over 325 youth served annually).
• YouthWorks Summer employment program providing meaningful and gainful employment to youth each year in the cities of Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere, and Somerville (over 300 youth served annually).
• WIOA Youth Programs Youth workforce development programs for low-income in-school and out-of-school youth providing educational services, exposure to employment, and additional supportive services, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
• Work to Thrive Initiative Initiative reaching individuals disconnected from traditional workforce development systems, comprising the NewBiz Entrepreneurship Program, Digital JEDI Consortium, Skill Building, and Workforce Resiliency Fund.
• Metro North Regional STEM Network Regional STEM network bringing together educators, students, employers, and communities to support Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council priorities, including STEM Week events and career exploration activities.
• Regional Data Services Labor market data services providing unemployment trends, in-demand occupations, job posting analysis, salary information, and occupation/industry projections to inform workforce development planning.
• NewBiz Entrepreneurship Program Entrepreneurship training program using the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) curriculum to help participants launch businesses, including youth-focused cohorts and programs for immigrants (pilot in Somerville with expansion to Malden).
• Digital JEDI Consortium Digital equity initiative providing digital navigators, device distribution, and digital literacy training to reduce digital inequities in workforce and career development for BIPOC, immigrant, and low-income communities in Metro North and North Shore regions.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bunker Hill Community College - Adult Education & Transition ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBunker Hill Community College offers DESE grant-funded programs to assist adults in developing English language proficiency, acquiring High School credentials (HiSET), and completing college program credits.
• Cambridge Community Learning CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree educational programs including English, citizenship, basic reading/writing/math, high school diploma preparation, college preparation, HHA training, CNA training, and workplace education at MIT.
• Massachusetts Department of Transitional AssistancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet basic needs, improve quality of life, and achieve economic self-sufficiency through direct economic assistance, food assistance (SNAP), and workforce training.
• Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversees the unemployment insurance program providing temporary income assistance to eligible workers and determines employer contributions to the UI program.
• The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free, year-round English classes to immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston to help them become successful workers, parents, and community members.
• Intergenerational Literacy Program/Chelsea Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides literacy instruction to adults and youth, connecting learners to resources to support their goals.
• Job CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16-24 with 10 industries and countless career opportunities.
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides rehabilitation and social services to Massachusetts residents who are blind, leading to independence and full community participation.
• MassAbilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps individuals with disabilities live and work independently. Responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living, and SSDI/SSI eligibility determination.
• SCALE (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides classes and support services to 1,200+ adult learners annually including basic reading, writing, math, English instruction, and high-school credentials. All classes are free.
• Senior Community Services Employment Program at Operation ABLE (SCSEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram for unemployed job seekers 55+ committed to finding employment. Covers Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Worcester Counties in MA and most of NH.
• Veterans Employment RepresentativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelops job and training opportunities for veterans, with special emphasis on veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• YMCA International Learning Center WoburncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh quality, affordable English classes taught by experienced faculty including advanced listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar. Six hours of instruction per week.
• YouthBuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChampions opportunity youth who aspire to improve their lives by building skills and resources through education, career preparation, and community leadership.
• CommonWealth CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilds upward mobility pathways for Massachusetts youth and adults to prepare for high demand careers, in concert with state and regional partners.
• English WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of immigrant leaders, labor unions, business and civic leaders, and educators working toward economic self-sufficiency and workforce integration for immigrants.
• Massachusetts Business RoundtableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide public affairs organization of CEOs and executives representing Massachusetts industry and business enterprise.
• Massachusetts Workforce AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates unified identity and voice for Massachusetts workforce development system, advocating for increased resources and influencing public policy.
• Workforce Training FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState fund financed by Massachusetts employers to provide resources to businesses and workers for training current and newly hired employees.
• Massachusetts Department of Career Services (MDCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency overseeing MassHire career services and workforce development system, providing policy guidance and coordination.
• Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (NAMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-region partnership of workforce development boards, community colleges, vocational technical schools, and One-Stop Career Centers facilitating advanced manufacturing workforce development strategy.
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunds Connecting Activities school-to-career initiative providing structured, paid and unpaid internship and employment opportunities for youth.
• La ColaborativacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Chelsea for Digital JEDI Consortium providing digital inclusion support and hosting community events.
• Welcome ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ESOL for Small Business Employees program supporting existing small businesses in Somerville.
• Commonwealth CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides YouthWorks funds for summer employment programs for youth in Metro North communities.
• Metro North STEM Network PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducators, students, employers, and communities supporting Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council priorities through STEM Week events and career exploration.
• National Association of Workforce BoardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents nearly 600 business-led Workforce Investment Boards nationally.
• National Association of Workforce Development ProfessionalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational voice for workforce development profession meeting individual professional development needs.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce development transformation through research, policy, and program design. Comparable as a workforce development intermediary, though JFF operates at national policy level rather than direct service delivery in a single region.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit operating workforce development programs across multiple states including career centers, job training, and placement services. Comparable in mission and service portfolio but at much greater scale and geographic breadth.

Direct peers

• CommonWealth Corporation: Massachusetts statewide nonprofit focused on youth and adult upward mobility pathways, including YouthWorks funding administration. Directly comparable as a Massachusetts workforce development partner and co-funder of youth programs serving the same populations as MNWB.
• MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board: Another of the 16 designated Workforce Development Boards in Massachusetts operating under WIOA. Directly comparable as a sister WDB providing the same workforce development, career center, and youth program services in a different region of the state.
• MassHire Boston Career Center: Sister Massachusetts Workforce Development Board serving the Boston area. Operates the same MassHire JobQuest platform, WIOA-funded programs, and career center network, making it a structurally identical peer organization.

Emerging players

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT workforce training and job placement. Comparable in providing targeted sector-based training for underserved populations, though focused specifically on technology careers.
• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing career training and job placement for young adults. Comparable in mission (youth workforce development) but operates as a direct service provider rather than a workforce board convener.

Others

• National Skills Coalition: National advocacy organization focused on skills training and workforce policy. Comparable as an ecosystem participant and peer advocacy organization, though focused on federal policy rather than direct regional service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MasshireMNWB

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MassHire Metro North Workforce Board