MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board News

SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER

05/20/22

The MassHire Connecting Activities program has had quite a start to the season!

On March 30th, the MassHire Youth Team along with over 300 area students and educators welcomed top motivational speaker, Jeremy Anderson, for a virtual discussion packed with purpose, promise and a push to look beyond their limits. During this impactful speech, Jeremy shared his experience of facing many academic and social challenges that led to failing classes and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Later, sharing what changed his worldview, who embraced him, and what altered his life choices.

With great enthusiasm, Jeremy reminded students and teachers of the importance of believing in themselves first, encouraging them to bring their lives to the next level through utilizing all the connections that are both within and around them.

Change starts with self, and Jeremy’s presentation certainly invoked a sense of passion in the pursuit of opportunity, self-assessment, and the importance of personal and professional growth.

This presentation was part of the MassHire Social Emotional Learning (SEL) series, designed to promote student engagement, education and wellbeing.

MassHire Youth Career Expo at the Kilburn Mill Event Center

Later in April, hundreds of high school students and their teachers gathered at the Kilburn Mill Event Center for the MassHire Youth Career Expo. A refreshing change of pace, the event gave students the opportunity to make connections face-to-face with over 30 of the region's top employers, colleges and organizations representing a variety of industries and skill levels.

The Expo not only featured vendor tables, but students were encouraged to tour the mill and visit some of the businesses housed at the 3-floor establishment.

“The Kilburn Mill is a great location for young people to explore their passions. There are countless small businesses that match many of their interests, whether it be health & wellness, creative arts or technology. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.” – Jamilyn Gordon

Learn more about MassHire GNB Youth Services. >>>

Download Flyer

Have you heard about the B.I.K.E. Committee?

In this newsletter edition, our spotlight focuses on a collaboration of partners who comprise the BizWorks Information and Knowledge Exchange, aka the B.I.K.E. Committee. To learn more, we interviewed Luis A. Hernández, Program Coordinator I, of the Rapid Response Team at the MassHire Department of Career Services (DCS) under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), and current Chair of the B.I.K.E. Committee.

Luis has been a B.I.K.E. Committee member since its formation about 6 years ago, and was recruited as the committee Chairperson nearly two years ago when the former Chair stepped down.

Originally, the DCS formed a group known as Expanding Business Engagement to analyze systems development and collect metrics to demonstrate what the State was doing to support businesses.

Subsequently, MassHire BizWorks created the B.I.K.E. Committee for this purpose, as well as to facilitate information exchange. Today, MassHire BizWorks' goal is to enhance and align all the business services offered by the State through its workforce development, economic and education agencies, as well as other partner entities that assist Massachusetts businesses throughout their business cycle. As part of this effort, BizWorks identified that the data results of these agencies' efforts would be beneficial in many areas, including assessing return on investments, eliminating duplication, assisting with planning, and enhancing marketing efforts.

BizWorks also knew the task of collecting data would be a challenge. The information is dispersed throughout agencies in varying programs, databases, and reporting cycles. BizWorks needed to identify a process that would allow capturing the results from all business services provided by the State along with a way to convey the data in a concise and useful manner. To achieve this, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was created that encompassed State workforce development, career services, and economic agencies, as well as educational institutions, and public/quasi-public entities that provide services to Massachusetts businesses. The State's Economic, Workforce Development and Education Secretaries all agreed and signed the MOA. As a result, the B.I.K.E. Committee was formed with members from these diverse entities.

The first task the B.I.K.E. Committee set out to do was collect 2014 business services data from the various offices. Next, it would assess, disseminate, and develop a method to present the data. BizWorks determined the best means to convey the info would be to create a dashboard, which is a visual means to display the data and provide information at-a-glance.

BizWorks had anticipated that data collection would be a formidable endeavor, but with perseverance the first 2014 BizWorks business services dashboard was created. Since then, the B.I.K.E. Committee has created additional dashboards in subsequent years. These dashboards highlight 8 key categories, ranging from the number of individuals and businesses served to grants awarded as well as jobs created and retained. Not only have these dashboards been utilized by BizWorks' Business Service Representatives for outreach to businesses; they have also served as quick references for many MassHire Career Centers and State workers.

Today, with some experience under their belt, the B.I.K.E. Committee is working to finalize the 2021 business services dashboard and exploring ideas for other dashboards, such as targeting specific audiences or highlighting other initiatives. They also are in the process of reissuing their MOA to incorporate many of the things they learned along the way and throughout the pandemic.

If you have any questions, would like more information about BizWorks, or if you are a State partner who loves data and communications and would consider becoming a B.I.K.E. Committee member, please reach out to Luis Hernández at (857) 262-9801 or luis.hernandez@detma.org.

Learn more about BizWorks. >>>

“Bridging” the Gap in Manufacturing Technician Training in Emerging Technologies

In 2020, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was awarded a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense's Manufacturing Technology Program (DoD ManTech) for a manufacturing technician training program that will serve as a national model. This effort, named MassBridge, is being led by the Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing along with a team of experts from MIT, community colleges, vocational high schools, and federal and state agencies.

The Department of Defense (DoD) funded the MassBridge project as a means to strengthen the U.S. industrial base. The function of MassBridge is to plan and develop advanced manufacturing programs for community colleges and vocational-technical high schools in Massachusetts. The DoD hopes that MassBridge, once successful, can serve as a model for efforts in other states. The goal of the MassBridge project is to develop and test a well-connected, state-based training and career pathway model - a “Bridge” for technicians that spans the gaps between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ state-wide advanced manufacturing programs and the needs of the Manufacturing USA Institutes.

The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, in partnership with three other Workforce Boards across the State, have been part of this effort since 2019 – developing a “Bridge” for Technicians.

Donna J. Ramos of the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board vocalized, “We knew what our employers needed, and this made great sense. Over the past three years, we spent long hours sitting around many tables at many meetings to provide manufacturing statistics and institutional knowledge about our regions manufacturing industry. From 2019 through early 2020 we were traveling to Westboro monthly for deep dive discussions and planning sessions before the pandemic disrupted those trips.” The four MassHire Workforce Boards collaborating in this effort are excited for the launch of the MassBridge awareness program and the implementation of new curriculum in our Community Colleges, Vocational Technical and High Schools. “It’s been a long haul, and it’s all about to pay off.”

The curriculum will be deployed through both vocational and academic high schools, as well as community colleges across Massachusetts, with connectivity to supporting universities to pave a pathway toward careers in Manufacturing USA technologies and local manufacturing jobs. Ultimately, this will create a stackable set of training programs available for other states to replicate.

What’s causing this technician training gap?

The nation is facing both short-term and long-term workforce challenges driven by demographics and instructional capacity issues such as:

A “gray wave” of retirements in key technical jobs overwhelming the talent pipeline
Vocational roles requiring a higher level of technical skills and training than in the past
Workers feeling “trapped” and increasingly “shutout” of mid-level jobs

Misconceptions about the nature of technical jobs – training requirements, learning pathways, salaries, career advancement, and employers – abound
Training capacity fragmented and inconsistent, capabilities limited in some regions, and availability constrained for access for adults seeking to enter the pipeline

To Learn More About the Initiative

The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, in partnership with the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) Co-Chair Mike Tamasi, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is hosting a second Informational Forum. The event name is “MassMakes – Building your talent pipeline”. We invite all manufacturers in the Southeast Region to attend to learn about new resources.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
June 21, 2022, 1:30PM to 2:30PM
Via ZOOM

The link to the forum will be posted on the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board website at https://masshiregreaternewbedford.com/ as well as the Southeastern Advanced Manufacturing Consortium website at https://www.samcnetwork.org/.
Please note: if you are a registered employer on the SAMC website you will automatically receive an invite.
Register now at https://www.samcnetwork.org/register/.

March 2021 Forum
The following recording provides discussions that took place in 2021 on the growing needs of advanced technician training for advanced manufacturing, photonics and integrated photonics, textiles & functional fabrics, and robotics industries for the Textiles & Functional Fabrics | Recording

Career Center

Corner

We bring you today's Career Center corner in the form of a recommendation from one of our long-time employer partners:

April 11. 2022

To whom it may concern,

It is my pleasure to be able to provide this letter of recommendation for our partners at the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center whom we've trusted with our priority business hiring needs and a valuable resource to ahead for more than 7 years.

As Human Resources Business Partner at ahead; I've been able to work alongside the center's staff on various recruitment projects. Whether it's using their spacious rooms for Industry Briefings, attending their special hiring events, or allowing us to set up in the Resource Area for exclusive Hiring Events, their support can only be described as "above & beyond". The entire staff and the Business Service Center team can only be described as a partnership, not a service.

In this new business atmosphere created by the Pandemic, recruiting requires creativity and consistency, and presents a whole new set of challenges where one can easily get side-tracked. Their staff knows exactly when we are in full swing as we ramp up to staff up for our peak season, and that we can depend on their call offering support for our Annual Open House hiring event.

Whether it’s creating flyers, posting our events, or attending the event in person at our facility, we can depend on them to help manage the applicants, which includes them providing interpreters for those in our community with language barriers seeking employment opportunities.

I would also like to express my gratitude for the other connections they've provided to us in the community. The partnerships that have formed over the years between ahead, such as ATR Program, and RISE Recovery Center have led to countless successful hires, a win/win for both the program participants and our company. The creativity and willingness to think outside the box allowed us to bring ahead to the people when they just weren't coming to us. They listened to our unique needs and connected us to our demographic; by taking our hiring events on the road to a local Spanish church, and an NB Housing Community Center for on-the-spot interviews and hiring opportunities.

In my role as a Director of the Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, and Member of their Business Development Committee, I have the advantage of learning about the various programs, grants, and funding. As the HR Business Partner for ahead, I am fortunate to be able to utilize these services -they area trusted and a valuable resource!

Sincerely,
Tracy L. Silvia
Human Resources Business Partner
Ahead

508-985-2332
Tracy.Silvia@aheadhg.com

Learn more about ahead. >>>

Learn more about MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center. >>>

ATTENTION HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS!
Coming in June & July:

MassHire Southeast Region 6 Workforce Boards will be holding two workshops on Culturally Responsive Care for Health and Human Services funded by the Healthcare Workforce Hubs Grant.

Save the date to attend one of these engaging and enlightening workshops presented by the Center for Health Impact. All regional healthcare employers are welcome to enroll their staff for this one-day workshop event.

"It was wonderful," an employer participant commented on our workshop held in March.

Save a Date!

Thursday, June 30
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
or
Wednesday, July 20
8:30 am to 3:30 pm

At Coastal Career Academy
Fall River, MA

Healthcare employers watch your inbox for registration information coming soon. Seats are limited. To preregister, contact Jacqueline Sylvia at 508.979.1504 x116 or jacqueline@mhgnb.com.

View Workshop Brochure

This project is funded by a Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grant (Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund FY’20 Appropriation) through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and is administered by the Commonwealth Corporation.

FREE Manufacturing Training Courses at Bristol Community College

Courses offered through Bristol Community College through funding from the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

Bristol Community College, MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, MassTech Collaborative

CAM – Professional Supervisor

Free
with Beth Carter

Next available session starts Jun 1, 2022 at 8:30 am

People at all levels of management face a number of challenges and responsibilities, especially under rapid workplace change. There is no more demanding role than that of a supervisor and this role continues to evolve. It is so much more than assigning or directing work. A supervisor’s success hinges on how effectively they can communicate and manage their team’s performance. High performing teams don’t just happen – they are made up of individuals who bring a broad spectrum of skills, talents and experiences to the workplace and are often developed one member at a time. To keep a team fully engaged, a supervisor must be able to manage change and communicate effectively. Changes that are negatively perceived by team members can disrupt morale and the flow of work. This course highlights how changes in the workplace and in society, have necessitated changes in how a professional supervisor leads and directs people to achieve greater business results and professional development.

CAM – Workplace ESOL

Free
with Mary Catherine Boehmer

Next available session starts Jun 1, 2022 at 10:15 am, runs for 9 weeks

The purpose of this class is to help improve English skills in listening, speaking and pronunciation, as they relate to employees’ work experience. The class will primarily focus on general communication in the workplace. After completing this course, students will be better able to say and write numbers; identify, name and discuss workplace tools and materials; understand and follow spoken and written workplace instructions; understand workplace schedules; give oral and written personal information; identify and report problems to supervisors; express ideas for improvements; discuss worksite performance with supervisors; read signs and directions at the worksite; refer to and understand written instructions including work orders, procedures manuals, employee evaluations, and safety materials; understand, discuss and respond appropriately to workplace safety protocols.

Objectives for this Class:

Students will be able to…

Describe their current job and their responsibilities
Understand fellow colleagues’ positions and how to work best as a team
Understand and explain health and safety procedures
Improve communication with colleagues and supervisors
Improve pronunciation
Give and follow more detailed directions at the plant
Read and comprehend simple work-related texts
Report and describe problems and quality issues

Class schedule:
June 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 22, 27, 29 No class June 20
July 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 No class July 4
Each class 3 hours and 15 minutes (10:15am to 1:30pm) except for the last class which will only be 2.5 hours 10:15am to 12:45pm

CAM – Effective Coaching & Mentoring

Free
with Beth Carter

Next available session starts Jul 14, 2022 at 9 am

Coaching/Mentoring skills are a crucial element of professional development. This training will focus on enhanced coaching/mentoring techniques across department. Class schedules are spaced appropriately to ensure learnings can be practiced between classes and report backs help to foster additional learning in the group. The Coaching and Mentoring trainings will further support new and emerging supervisors. This training also examines the ingredients of an effective mentoring program that focuses on coaching as the main strategy for people development

CAM – Human Resource Compliance for Supervisors

Free
with Monet Viens

Next available session starts Aug 11, 2022 at 8:30 am

Topics to be covered:

Understanding the role of the supervisor in supporting company policies
Creating a safe and productive work environment
Updates to Federal and State Laws
Sexual Harassment
Understanding I-9 & ICE
Affordable Care Act
Free speech in the workplace
Marijuana laws
Nationwide trends

CAM – Effective Communication & Team-Oriented Problem Solving in Manufacturing

Free
with Beth Carter

Next available session starts Sep 14, 2022 at 8:30 am

Bristol’s Effective Communication Team-Oriented Problem-Solving class will help participants do just that. This class will provide tools and techniques to help individuals thrive in a dynamic team environment. Several workstyle, listening and communication assessments will be used to assist participants in gaining a better understanding of themselves and their communication style as well as the style of others. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the importance of listening, non-verbal communication as well as adapting to changing cultural norms to support individual and team growth.

CAM – Principles of Lean Mfg., Six Sigma/Bus. Process Improvement

Free
with Joe Barckett

Next available session starts Sep 16, 2022 at 8:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Bristol’s Principles of Lean Manufacturing offers a solid introduction to Lean Six Sigma/Business Process Improvement training focuses on preparing individuals to develop efficient processes for faster delivery, increased productivity and more consistent quality. Participants will review the background and history of Lean and Six Sigma, learn about a basic process improvement flowchart and how to use the flowchart as a roadmap for the material covered as well as obtain a strong understanding of basic process improvement tools – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. (based on DMAIC) which include: project charters, process mapping, waste, value add, data types, and several charts and graphs. After this training, participants will have the tools to lead a simple process improvement project from start to finish.

CAM – Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

Free
with Paul Martin

Next available session starts Oct 18, 2022 at 9 am

This training is in concert with the methodology, symbology, and principles of the United States standards (principally ANSI Y14.5). Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances is a means of specifying the geometry or shape of a piece of hardware on an engineering drawing. It is used as a communication tool for the design of the manufacturing cycle.

Looking to Grow and Scale Your Business?
Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) can help.

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech (CAM), in partnership with the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, has launched the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP).

This grant program aims to co-invest in small- to medium-sized manufacturers to help coordinate and prepare our supply chain to respond to increasing demands and to spur new opportunities for growth.

The program will support manufacturers through investments up to $250,000 in capital infrastructure, to help spur new jobs, new markets and capabilities, and collaboration with ecosystem partners to help drive support, business connections and growth.

Priority will be given to projects that address key areas for growth in the manufacturing sector and align with emerging federal opportunities, including

Semiconductors
Battery technologies;
Additive manufacturing; and
Defense/aerospace.

Learn More & Apply

WHY SAMC?

SAMC focuses on connecting manufacturers with the resources for developing a sustainable, talented pipeline of employees. We achieve this by providing input on educating and training for your current and future workforce, and by identifying best practices in advanced manufacturing workforce activities.

Visit www.samcnetwork.org today.

MANUFACTURERS REGISTER FREE!

Visit SAMC's Calendar page for a complete list of training, workshops, seminars, meetings and industry events for the advanced manufacturing industry.

View Calendar now! >>>

MassHire GNB Career Center Receives “Rising Star” Award From the Jobs for Veterans State Grant

Congratulations to Matt Sutton, Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist and the team at MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center for receiving the 2021 Performance Incentive “Rising Star Award” from the Jobs for Veterans State Grant.

“I appreciate the kinds words and support, as always. However, I would like to stress, as does the award narrative, that this a MassHire New Bedford award, not a Matt Sutton award. Without a team that puts veteran job seekers first, success, quite simply, doesn’t happen. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing organization.”
— Matt

Matt Sutton, Veterans Employment Rep., MassHire GNB Career Center

Read the full story. >>>

Submit your news or event!

MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board accepts workforce and economic development related press releases and upcoming events for consideration.

All submissions are subject to approval by MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board.

Submitted items may appear in our next newsletter and/or be added to our website's news section or event calendar at any time. All press releases must be submitted in digital format and should contain the following information:

Organization name and contact information
Date of release
Press release headline
Press release copy
Photo, JPG file (if available)

Submit your news to info@masshiregreaternewbedford.com

Quick Links

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Website

SPRING'S FEATURED RESOURCE

Our featured resource is the Massachusetts Regional Labor Market Blueprints. Initiated through the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet, these Blueprints represent industry and occupational priorities in seven regions across the Commonwealth: Berkshire, Pioneer Valley, Central, Southeast, Cape, Greater Boston, and Northeast. These reports assist in evaluating demographic, labor pool, and talent pipeline considerations that impact workforce skill gaps in order to align workforce development initiatives with a region's priority industries and occupations.

See all the Massachusetts Regional Blueprints. >>>

View SE Region 6 Blueprint. >>>
View Region 6 2020 Update. >>>

Explore Workforce Resources on MassHire GNBWB Website!

We hope that you found our newsletter to be a useful and informative. Your views and feedback are very important to us. Please feel free to send an email to info@masshiregreaternewbedford.com with any comments, suggestions or questions you may have.

ABOUT US

The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board is a business-led, policy-setting board that oversees workforce development initiatives in the ten-community region stretching from Dartmouth to Wareham, MA. Appointed by New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, the Board is composed of business, civic, education, labor, and community leaders.

The workforce board oversees workforce development efforts in Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, and Wareham. The board oversees the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center operated jointly by The WorkPlace and the MassHire Division of Career Services (MDCS).

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board is one of 16 similar Boards in Massachusetts. Workforce Investment Boards direct federal, state, and private funding for educational and occupational skills programs.

In addition to responsibilities mandated under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), Boards have been called upon to play a major role in a variety of workforce initiatives, and to define the board’s goals based on local community needs.

ABOUT OUR CAREER CENTER

The MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center serves as a hub of activity focused on connecting job seekers and employers, to meet the employment and career advancement needs of individuals and the workforce needs of businesses. The Career Center is dedicated to providing high quality services in a professional and welcoming environment, including counseling, education, and technology to support job search, and labor market information and recruitment opportunities for businesses.

OUR MISSION
MassHire creates and sustains powerful connections between businesses and job seekers through a statewide network of employment professionals.

OUR VISION
MassHire envisions a better future for people and businesses of Massachusetts through meaningful work and sustainable growth.

OUR PROMISE
MassHire promises to champion prosperity, connecting employers with talent and job seekers with tools, services, and connections to achieve meaningful and sustained employment.

OUR VALUES

COLLABORATION
MassHire believes in the power of partnership and streamlined integration of services to achieve effective and timely results for those we serve.
RESPECT
MassHire is committed to understanding and valuing the diverse, unique requirements and professional goals of the businesses and people we serve.
RELIABILITY
MassHire creates trust and reliability by consistently delivering high quality professional services at each location and in every interaction.
INGENUITY
MassHire leverages flexibility, expertise, and knowledge to successfully meet our mission, regardless of new challenges and circumstances.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

Forward to a Friend

www.MassHireGreaterNewBedford.com

Copyright © 2022 MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board. All rights reserved.

MassHire Programs & Services are funded in part by US Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment and Training Administration grants as well as non-federal funded grants. (Additional details furnished upon request.)

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
fgapproved