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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Holyoke's resources for employment and training are exceptional and growing, and continue to be integral parts of the community's economic development strategy. The Holyoke Employment Partnership (HEP), staffed and housed at the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, has coordinated and advocated for workforce development resources since its founding in 1987. Through the work of the Partnership, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce has been designated a WINS (Workforce Innovation Networks) partner by the U S. Chamber. With funding from the Ford Foundation, the Chamber is working closely with the Chambers of Durham, N.C. and El Paso, TX to bring about creative solutions to workforce issues in local communities. With a commitment to assisting local businesses in the training of employees, the Partnership was the initiator and organizer of the Western Mass Skills Summit held at Holyoke Community College in October, 2002 for several hundred business and organization representatives. HEP is also the creator of Working Knowledge, the workforce development program funded through the U. S. Chamber and other partners. Most recently, HEP completed a community audit, funded by a U. S. Labor Department grant. The results of that audit have already brought additional resources into the community.

The key resources for both employers and job-seekers are Hampden County's award-winning One-Stop Career Centers. CareerPoint, located in Holyoke, was created by a group of business and education partners under the leadership of the Holyoke Employment Partnership. FutureWorks, located in Springfield, is also a non-profit organization. Both centers provide an outstanding array of services aimed at creating a quality workforce for the employers of Hampden County.