The Maryland Department of Labor has announced that 63 employers have received grant awards from the Jobs That Build Employer fund. The $15 million investment aims to boost workforce retention by funding in-house support programs and payroll incentives for more than 2,600 workers in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Launched on October 14, 2022, Jobs That Build is supported in part by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and it prioritizes employee support programs and payroll incentives as keys to increasing competitiveness to attract and retain the most qualified workers.
The Maryland Department of Labor conducted outreach to eligible employers from every region in the state and encouraged interested employers to apply for grants of up to $10,000 per employee. Examples of support programs implemented under the grant include helping employees pay for transportation, childcare, or housing, and paid training.
Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu emphasized the importance of the Jobs That Build program in Maryland’s post-pandemic economy. “Federal and state investment in construction and infrastructure projects has created tremendous demand for workers in Maryland’s post-pandemic economy,” she said. “Employers are finding that traditional strategies for building the talent pipeline, such as training and good wages, are not always enough. The Jobs that Build program has supported businesses to launch new and innovative strategies to attract and retain workers.”
The Maryland Department of Labor is pleased with the results of the program, stating that it has helped businesses launch new and innovative strategies to attract and retain workers. Secretary Wu noted that traditional methods such as training and good wages are not always sufficient to attract and retain employees, and Jobs That Build helps fill that gap.
According to the Maryland Department of Labor, the grant awards will provide a significant boost to the state’s economy, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. The Jobs That Build program is expected to create more job opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sectors and help Maryland businesses remain competitive in the post-pandemic labor market.
The Maryland Department of Labor encourages other states to adopt similar initiatives to boost workforce retention and address labor shortages. With the pandemic continuing to affect the job market, programs like Jobs That Build can make a significant difference in retaining workers in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Maryland’s Jobs That Build program is an excellent example of how government can work with businesses to address labor shortages and boost workforce retention. By investing in in-house support programs and payroll incentives, the program provides a framework for businesses to attract and retain the most qualified workers. With continued investment and support, Jobs That Build can make a significant impact on the state’s economy and help create a brighter future for workers in Maryland.