Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce - eCapeChamber
Workforce development & training

The Cape Cod Chamber is committed to promoting workforce development as a critical component of the region's economic health. Efforts encourage educational opportunities and entrepreneurial support with a goal of job creation, job retention and more year round employment.

Workforce development is one of the cornerstones of economic development. It is about educating employees, assisting entrepreneurs, and addressing critical factors, like transportation, affordable housing, health care, and child care, that enable people to work and advance in their careers. With the large number of small businesses in the region, the Chamber plays a critical role in collecting information on training and education needs and connecting these needs with providers.

H2B Workers: Since the federal government has tightened immigration restrictions as a reaction to 9/11, the Chamber has been working to inform both our legislators and our businesses about the impact this has on our seasonal workforce.  This has included gathering statistical information to support the Cape's position, working with our legislative delegation on strategies that might influence the U.S. Congress, and getting information out to our businesses through special emails and workshops.  For information on the H2B issue, please click here.  Click here for the findings of a Commonwealth Corp. / Workforce Investment Board report that documents the seasonal temporary labor needs of Cape & Islands businesses.

Click here for a September 2009 update on the new H2B Rules.

Our Workforce Development Committee has surveyed the hospitality industry about training needs; brought in Johnson and Wales University for on site training for supervisors; assisted Cape Cod Community College in developing the hospitality center; and created small business educational seminars. Some initiatives are industry specific, while training for front line supervisors is more generic, and reflects the reality of helping local businesses support their own workforce in the most effective ways-on site.

Workforce development is about more than hiring and training the right workers.  It is about connecting resources for area businesses from a wide range of providers and funding streams to support productive workplaces. With Coastal Community Capital, the Chamber has created the EntreCenter, a central point of contact and information for entrepreneurs in the region.   Building a future workforce by connecting to our youth is another important component of our work, supporting the local School to Careers Partnership, and area high schools to build career awareness about local opportunities.

Other links:
Cape & Islands Workforce Investment Board Blueprint (2002 version)
Cape & Islands Workforce Investment Board Blueprint (2005 version)
10 Tips for College Students interested in working on Cape Cod
Reminders for Businesses on Wages and Benefits Laws for the Business Owner
Cape & Islands Workforce Investment Board 55+ Program
Cape Cod Community College - Workforce Education Resource Center
Lower Cape Summer Host Housing Program for J-1 International Student Workers