Inspired by the successful implementation of a similar model in San Antonio and supported by research at Harvard Business School,* Roxbury Worx is designed to increase workforce participation by historically underrepresented groups and open up pathways to high-road jobs. The exponential positive impact of this program will extend beyond an increase in each individual's socioeconomic status to greater family stability, increased wealth, and the shared prosperity of the entire community.

Within Roxbury, middle-skill workers with some college but no Bachelor's degree make up close to 25% of the total population aged 25 and older. Hidden workers, those who are under or unemployed but looking, include immigrants (15.2%), caregivers (27.3%) and previously incarcerated individuals, all of whom are overrepresented in the Roxbury community compared to the City of Boston and Commonwealth as a whole.** It is our goal to connect these residents with the tools they need to elevate their socioeconomic status through meaningful employment. Jobs in life sciences/biotech, healthcare and green/blue tech were selected for this purpose due to the scale of the opportunity in these sectors and public investments. TACC's role in the workforce development ecosystem has been convening the Roxbury Worx partners, documenting community perspectives—including barriers and opportunities—and building local awareness through the Roxbury Worx Conference and other activities (e.g., networking, workshops, advertising), recruiting applicants for job training programs, and collaborating with Roxbury-serving organizations to foster a more inclusive ecosystem.

*Sources: Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent (2021), and Bridge the Gap: Rebuilding America's Middle Skills (2014).

**Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey, BPDA Research Division Analysis.