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Eastern Bank Foundation Announces Career-Focused English Proficiency Programs to Expand Workforce Opportunity

New pilot programs in Greater Brockton and the North Shore will connect English language learning directly to careers, supported by a new public-private Vocational ESOL Resource Center

BOSTON, MA — November 9, 2026 — Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, today announced the implementation of Career-Focused English Proficiency (CFEP) programs in Greater Brockton and the North Shore, bringing together English language instruction, workforce preparation, employer engagement and support services to help adult English language learners prepare for employment and advance in their careers.

“Language skills can open doors to employment and advancement, but too many talented people remain on the sidelines or underemployed because traditional systems do not adequately connect English learning with the realities of the workplace,” said Turahn Dorsey, President and CEO of Eastern Bank Foundation. “Career-Focused English Proficiency is designed to build those connections and accelerated pathways to sustainable careers. By bringing educators, workforce organizations, community partners and employers together, we can help people develop the English, digital and career-readiness skills they need to succeed while helping employers connect with an increasingly important source of talent.”

The Foundation also announced a public-private partnership with Commonwealth Corporation Foundation to establish a Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Resource Center, which will provide professional development, technical assistance, curriculum resources and other support to organizations delivering career-focused English programs. The resource center will draw on established tools and best practices as well as innovations from the CFEP programs.

“Despite strong labor market demand, many people remain unemployed or underemployed because of barriers including language proficiency, credential recognition and disconnects between workers' experience and employers' hiring practices,” said Alanna Mallon, Executive Director of Commonwealth Corporation Foundation. “This relationship provides an opportunity to demonstrate what the public and private sectors can accomplish together—helping workers build the skills they need to advance while helping employers recognize and access the talent already present in our communities.”

Together, the investments speak to the progress of Eastern Bank Foundation's $10 million, three-year Career-Focused English Proficiency Initiative, launched in 2025 to build stronger connections among English language learning, workforce development and employer needs.

English Learning Connected to Careers
The Career-Focused English Proficiency (CFEP) goes beyond traditional instruction by teaching English the way learners will use it: on the job and as they prepare for careers. Participants build English proficiency and career-readiness skills alongside career coaching, mentoring, employer connections and job-placement assistance. The model is designed to address two interconnected challenges: employers seeking qualified workers, and skilled adults whose experience goes unrecognized because of language and other barriers.

Greater Brockton and the North Shore were selected as pilot program areas for their strong adult education and workforce networks, engaged community partners, diverse multilingual populations and employer demand.

Greater Brockton Career-Focused English Proficiency Program
In Greater Brockton, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions is leading CFEP implementation in collaboration with employers, educators, workforce organizations and community-based partners. The program creates pathways into high-demand industries including healthcare, manufacturing, clean energy and construction, with instruction tied to English language and other skills participants will use on the job.

Partners include Haitian Community Partners Foundation, the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, The Literacy Center, NEI General Contracting, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, educational and workforce development providers, community-based organizations and regional employers.

“NeighborWorks Housing Solutions is proud to lead the Greater Brockton implementation of this important initiative,” said Robert Corley, Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. “This work is about more than English language learning. It is about creating stronger pathways to employment, stability and economic mobility for residents and families across the community.”

For information, visit www.nhsmass.org. 

North Shore Career-Focused English Proficiency Program
The Essex County Community Foundation and MassHire North Shore Workforce Board are leading a new regional workforce initiative that integrates CFEP directly into occupational training pathways – helping residents build English-language and job skills at the same time, accelerate access to careers and strengthen long-term community wealth.

“This is about much more than learning English. It’s about helping people build the skills, confidence and connections they need to get into good jobs that pay a living wage and build a better future,” said Stratton Lloyd, President & CEO of Essex County Community Foundation. “This work builds on seven years of organizations across the North Shore coming together and figuring out how to do workforce development better. By bringing ESOL directly into career pathways, we can help people learn, work and move forward at the same time. That’s not just good workforce development—it’s a key part of building community wealth.”

The program will integrate career-focused ESOL instruction with career coaching, employer engagement, recruitment and job-placement support, helping participants strengthen their English while preparing for jobs and advancement in the regional economy.

Key partners include MassHire North Shore Workforce Board, North Shore Community Action Programs, North Shore Community College, Pathways, Inc., and other community, education and workforce organizations.

For information, visit MassHire North Shore Workforce Board.

Photo Caption: A recent ESL Electro-Mechanical Assembly Program held at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, offered as part of its NightHawks Adult Education Program, placed nine out of nine students in manufacturing sector jobs.

About Eastern Bank Foundation
Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, supports grassroots community solutions and collaborates with community-led organizations working to build economic inclusion, mobility and social justice in four focus areas: advancing equity in the small business ecosystem, enriching early childhood development, securing safe and affordable housing, and promoting workforce development. Because the roots of social and economic injustice run deep, we employ a variety of approaches—including philanthropy, employee volunteerism and collaboration—to strengthen the communities we serve. Learn more here.

Media Contact:
Andrea Goodman
Eastern Bank Foundation
[email protected]
781-598-7847
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