Hiring

Hiring Workers

People are the key resource for most businesses. Successful hiring is a specific initiative that is extremely relevant in creating a quality organization that is able to meet the demands of a tight labor market. Don’t wait until you have a need. Put a strategy in place that allows a continuous flow of quality people seeking employment. Hiring quickly and hiring well are the two main goals.

There is no generally accepted “best” way to recruit prospective employees. It is important to remember that recruitment needs to be continuous, personal, and active, but also fair and open. Advertise, but advertise wisely. Developing relationships with a range of programs, centers, charitable organizations, schools and churches can result in potential non-traditional recruiting sources. Adopting these simple strategies can help you move from being a traditional recruiter to a progressive one, allowing you to recruit smarter, not harder. By thinking out of the box, far-sighted businesses are recruiting the talent they need to meet demand head-on.

Winning Strategies:

• Accessing Career Centers to pre-screen and hire job applicants.
• Working with service providers to create a customized pre-training program.
• Using temporary agencies to screen potential employees.
• Partnering with churches and charitable organizations to find employees.

Employer Hiring Incentives:

The following incentives are available to employers hiring individuals transitioning off of welfare and those from other targeted populations. For more information on how to access the incentives, please consult your tax advisor.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit that encourages private sector employers to hire eight targeted groups of job seekers. This incentive can save your business up to 40 percent of qualified wages in federal income taxes to a maximum of $2,400 per employee working more than 400 hours for their first year of employment. These employer tax credits are an important tool in a diverse toolbox of flexible strategies designed to help people gain on-the-job experience and move from welfare to work.

Welfare to Work Tax Credit (WTWTC)

The Welfare to Work Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit that encourages businesses to hire long-term welfare recipients. Employers can get tax credits as high as 35% for the first year of employment and 50% for the second year of employment. To qualify, new hires must be employed at least 400 hours or 180 days.

How to apply for the WOTC and the WTWTC: To apply for either the Work Opportunity Tax Credit or the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit, employers should complete a pre-screening notice (IRS Form 8850) before hiring a qualified applicant, and must complete ETA Form 9061 or 9062 from the employee if he/she has already been conditionally certified by the state, and a one-page form to document the employees eligibility. The required forms and instructions can also be obtained by calling a Fax-On Demand Service at 1-877-828-2050. For IRS Form 8850, request Document Number 103; For ETA Form 9061, request Document Number 104. For more information call the Massachusetts WOTC Coordinator at(617) 626-5363 or visit www.uses.doleta.gov/wtw.asp.

For more information on these incentives and other workforce related issues please contact:

MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board
34 School Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 584-3234

MassHire Greater Brockton Career Center
34 School Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 513-3400

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Metro South Hiring Resources

One Stop Career Centers

The One-Stop Career Center System, with more than 35 career centers and 5 satellites in the Commonwealth, is the mandated system for the delivery of workforce services to jobseekers and businesses. This regional system is overseen by the business-led Workforce Investment Boards (WIB) who work in partnership with Chief Elected Officials (CEO).

MassHire Greater Brockton Career Center
34 School Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 513-3400

Private Non-Profit Agencies

These agencies are established to match your job opening with qualified applicants. As service providers, they work with entry-level workers to prepare them for the workforce. Their services typically include job-readiness and life skills training, employer-centered training, and job placement.

For more information about specific non-profit agencies please contact:

Helpline
47 West Elm Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: (508) 584-4357
Fax: (508) 587-2309

Workforce Development Programs

Technical colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs offered at local education institutions take a very active role in placing their graduates in suitable jobs. Many offer full-time placement as well as internships and part-time placements.

Employment Agencies

Many employment agencies exist in the region that can match your job opening with qualified applicants. Visit the chambers business directory and find many qualified employment agencies to help you with the process. Simply select the appropriate category or contact the Metro South Chamber of Commerce directly at (508) 586-0500 ext. 221 for a referral to a qualified member in your community.