Greater Springfield employment challenges: findings of employer survey and interviews

Benton, Marques; Browne, Lynn E.; Chakrabarti, Prabal; Green, DeAnna; Kodrzycki, Yolanda; Munoz, Ana Patricia; Plasse, David; Walker, Richard; Zhao, Bo

Discussion Paper

Greater Springfield employment challenges: findings of employer survey and interviews

Abstract: This paper presents the findings from in-depth interviews and a survey of employers in the Greater Springfield area regarding (a) employment opportunities for entry-level workers with limited skills and (b) barriers that residents of Springfield's low-income neighborhoods face in accessing these jobs. The survey and interviews indicate that entry-level jobs that do not require college are available in the Springfield area. However, even entry-level jobs require the ability to perform a variety of tasks, and many applicants lack the skills needed to perform these jobs or have work readiness problems. Lack of prior experience and the absence of referral networks limit access to these jobs for residents of Springfield's low-income neighborhoods.

Keywords: Cities and towns - Massachusetts; Labor market - Massachusetts;