SECTION 1. Chapter 23H of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 11 the following:-

Section 12.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to invest in and equip low-income, hard to place, out of work adults with job readiness skills and entry-level career competencies toward securing unsubsidized jobs.  The Department of Workforce Development shall coordinate with Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) on the New Careers transitional employment program, an employer-driven, competency-based approach to promoting employment in high-growth industry areas.  The Department shall assist ABCD to identify entry-level criteria, career ladders, and meaningful credentials.   The ABCD New Careers Program combines skills training case management, paid on-the-job experience, and college coursework in growing career fields that offer opportunities to move up the career ladder, including Early Childhood Education, Community Health Work, Elder Care, Medical Office Technology, and other emerging industries.

The Department shall work with ABCD New Careers program to apply a consistent framework across the targeted industry areas, including individual assessment and service planning, “soft skills” job readiness, industry-recognized certifications, college credits toward a career-related degree, paid work experience, integration of classroom training and on-the-job experience,  intensive job development, case management, work supports, and wraparound services for the development of the overall family.