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MassHire GNB Youth Coordinators
Justin Grota, Jamilyn Soares, and Deven Robitaille |
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MassHire Greater New
Bedford Workforce Board 3rd Annual Youth Opportunity Expo
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Devin McLaughlin, Local Artist |
Peter Lonelle Walker of Wind Works |
Vendor Tables at the Youth Opportunity Expo |
Expo Participants enjoy frozen treats from Cool Licks |
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The MassHire Greater New Bedford Youth Team was pleased to
host their 3rd Annual Youth Opportunity Expo on May, 15 2024 at the
Fort Taber Community Center in New Bedford.
The Youth Opportunity Expo is designed to engage and inform
emerging leaders in the SouthCoast, ages 14 to 25, providing a diverse array of work
experiences, educational opportunities, and community resources, dedicated to helping
them build a sustainable future. This year’s event drew in over 150 youth and
young adults from the region.
The Expo opened up with an energetic outdoor presentation,
courtesy of WindWorks Co-Campaign Manager, Peter Lonelle Walker. Peter provided
a look into the growing and innovative industry of Offshore Wind while
highlighting the benefits of gaining meaningful knowledge and experiences
through career exploration.
The event included over 20 vendor tables inside the Fort Taber
Center, introducing attendees to a variety of community resources, employment
opportunities, and outlets into higher education. All were accompanied by cool
takeaways and impactful conversation.
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The MassHire Youth Team also partnered with local entertainer,
Bryan “DJ Fresco” Ribeiro, local artist, Devin McLaughlin who designed a live
paint display. On the Go Catering provided breakfast and lunch, and there were special
frozen treats courtesy of Cool Licks.
MassHire Greater New Bedford Youth Team believes in the power of
partnership and would like to thank all those who played a part in making this
year’s Youth Opportunity Expo a success!
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MassHire GNB Job Fair June 11, 2024 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Employers!
Is your business looking to hire? Don’t miss the opportunity to join us and a pool of talented job seekers. Register today!
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Job Seekers!
Don’t miss the opportunity to find your new job! Come dressed for success. Don’t forget copies of your resume! Register today!
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In our latest Partner Spotlight, we had the pleasure of
speaking with Lisa Jochim, Director of UMass Dartmouth Workers' Education Program
(WEP), a valued long-term MOU partner. Funded by the Adult and Community
Learning Services division of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE), WEP provides free adult education classes in Adult
Basic Education (ABE), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and ESOL
for Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
WEP
was first established in 1986 as part of the university’s College and Arts & Science's Labor Education Center to offer English language instruction and GED classes to union workers. Over time,
WEP has evolved to better serve the changing needs of the community and has
focused on developing adult literacy skills as a means for individuals pursuing
further education, career training, gainful employment, and achieving their
fullest potential.
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2023 WEP HiSET Graduation |
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WEP's ABE classes are available mornings or evenings and focus on attaining a
Massachusetts High School Equivalency Certificate by passing the HiSET or GED
test. With
several levels of remote and in-person ABE classes, programs are tailored to
target the individual's learning needs. WEP also
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offers several levels of adult ESOL
classes to address the varying needs of each student. The focus is for the
students to improve their English skills and progress to higher class levels,
secure employment, or further their education and training. An advisor meets with
students to explore the next steps in their education or career journey. All classes integrate technology skills as part of the curriculum. |
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WEP’s courses also include an ESOL for Certified Nurse
Assistant certification designed for English language learners interested in
becoming a CNA. ESOL is focused on improving speaking, listening, reading, and
writing. Students also have access to an advisor, and can test for their Massachusetts State Nurse Aide license upon completion.
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2024 WEP ESOL for CNA Graduation |
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Lisa shared that the UMass Dartmouth WEP programs are consistently top
rated in learning gains, attendance and retention, as well as successful high
school equivalency completions. Lisa felt that students have also benefited
from the State recently implementing free HiSET or GED testing for
Massachusetts residents which has removed a significant financial burden for
some students.
Lisa also values WEP's partnerships. She feels developing
community partners is important in gaining awareness of mutual services and
opportunities their students can access. Partners can provide referrals to each
other to better serve the individuals, and to leverage the expertise of various
organizations. Lisa noted that they had plans for the MassHire GNB
Career Center to visit the schools for info sessions about career readiness
services.
Do you or someone you know have an interest in continuing
adult education courses? If so, contact WEP. Enrollment is year-round, and students
can visit WEP’s office located at 800 Purchase Street in New Bedford, or by
phone at (508)
910-9004, or by registering online on WEP’s website www.umassd.edu/cas/workers-education.
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Now Enrolling for EMT Training! |
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Also in Healthcare Training: |
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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. |
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Updated Announcement of
the Southeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium
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May 2024
The
MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Development Board on behalf of Joe
Lopes, CEO is grateful for the support of the Southeast Region Workforce
Boards, that is MassHire Greater Brockton, CEO Jason Hunter, MassHire Bristol,
CEO Thomas Perreira, MassHire South Shore, Robert Cerasoli, Interim Executive
Director,
MassHire Cape & Islands, CEO Kara Galvin and AMC Chair, Mike Tamasi
President & CEO AccuRounds in their commitment to continue to assist us
with the growth of the region’s Manufacturing Collaborative.
The
collaborative is known as Southeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium or SAMC
(pronounced “samcee”). This partnership is a vital means of communication and allows
manufacturing, educational and workforce organizations the opportunity to unite
and develop strategies and policies that move the region’s advanced
manufacturing industry into the future.
For the past few years, The Center for
Advanced Manufacturing (CAM), a division of the Massachusetts Technology
Collaborative (Mass Tech Collaborative or MassTech) has provided us with
training funds to upskill job seekers in many manufacturing skills and
competencies that engaged employers have told us they needed.
The intent is to develop a fully
coordinated manufacturing training system that helps meet the needs of industry
across the state. MassTech is interested in supporting the development of a
skilled manufacturing workforce by supporting training programs that
address critical skills and talent supply gaps facing the state’s manufacturing
industry. We urge you to go to the website to find out what’s going on in the
Manufacturing world, what and where training is happening and most importantly
how you can find employees to fill your needs whether it be because of growth
or replacing retirees.
The consortium website, www.samcnetwork.org, continues to provide area manufacturers
access to information on training, business development and other resources,
and an opportunity to participate in advanced manufacturing efforts through a
regional forum.
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WHAT’S
COMING
We are adding a “Did You Know That the Federal Recovery-Ready
Workplace (RRW) Interagency Workgroup Has Published a Workplace Toolkit”
And a page dedicated to the Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) & the
Uniquely Abled Program (UAP)
Why? Because these are untapped populations that will fill your employment
gaps in the here and now and future
Here’s a teaser…
Statistics provided by The Uniquely Abled Project 17% of the US population is classified as
disabled. That equates to 40 million.
82% of those with a disability are not
employed vs. 35% for those without a disability.
The RRW Toolkit
Designed to help businesses and other employers prevent and
respond more effectively to substance misuse among employees, build their
workforces through hiring of people in recovery, and develop a
recovery-supportive workplace culture.
We’ll
give you a heads up when we’ve added these topics. The numbers and the need
cannot be disputed.
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Manufacturers throughout the Southeast are
able to register as a partner online at no cost. Registering
your company is a win-win. Make your company known. You can also provide a
video of what it’s like to work at your company. Registration includes a free
listing of your company logo and link back to your website.
If any employers are interested in taking a
more active role in the consortium, you can send a message through the website
or reach out directly to their regional SAMC Key Contact at https://www.samcnetwork.org/contact-us/.
We
ask for your continued assistance to promote SAMC at every turn by encouraging
area manufacturers to visit and register at www.samcnetwork.org/register.
Visit www.samcnetwork.org today.
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Uniquely Abled: One Solution to Staffing Needs
"Beyond limitations, growing your workforce through inclusive programs for
all abilities." |
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Are you
still struggling with having adequate staff to run your operations? The Uniquely Abled Project may offer your organization one solution.
The Uniquely Abled Project is an innovative
corporate and community partnership designed to create employment opportunities
for people with special needs by connecting their abilities to in-demand
positions. The program sets itself apart from other disability employment
programs by first engaging in a business dialogue with employers and then
developing exceptional solutions to meet staffing needs.
The Uniquely Abled Project’s remarkable partnerships with educators, autism experts, government, and social service agencies allows them to create programs that prepare, place, and offer continuous assistance to autistic persons looking for meaningful employment opportunities in a variety of sectors.
Championed by founder Ivan Rosenberg, the father of two children with autism, the Uniquely Abled Project aims to shift the paradigm of thinking from “disabled” to “uniquely abled” in the workplace. Uniquely Abled’s view is not for employers to hire individuals with autism as an act of charity or good citizenship, but because they can perform jobs exceptionally well.
Successful
programs have been implemented throughout the United States. Employers can
expect uniquely abled individuals to perform certain jobs even better than someone
who is neurotypical. Employers also have noted improved morale and productivity
throughout the organization with the inclusion of these diverse individuals. Participating
organizations also receive numerous financial benefits, like tax incentives and
other credits.
In summer 2023,
the Uniquely Abled Project arrived in Massachusetts’ South Shore through a partnership with MassHire
Southeast Region 6 Workforce Boards, Bridgewater State University, The Uniquely Abled Academy, and South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School. This Uniquely Abled Academy program
sponsored a cohort of students in Basic Manufacturing CNC training. Local
manufacturers can contact MassHire South Shore Career Center (https://masshiress.com/) to inquire about hiring these
qualified trainees. |
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South Shore Uniquely Abled Project in Basic Manufacturing CNC |
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To learn
more about this amazing program, follow some of the links below:
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Youth Apprenticeship Week took place May 5 to 11, 2024.
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In honor of Youth Apprenticeship Week, employees from the MassHire
Greater New Bedford Workforce Board attended the MassHire Youth Opportunity
Expo on May 15 at Fort Rodman in New Bedford to spread the word about the
benefits of Apprenticeship.
We spoke to many of the graduating Seniors from area high schools
about Registered Apprenticeship as an alternative to college. Some students
were not interested in attending college and were excited to hear about our
program and how it would lead to a great employment opportunity for them.
Our program is available to Youth over the age of 18, who
possess a High School diploma, GED or HiSET.
For more information, please contact Debbie Hartman,
Apprenticeship Program Manager at (774) 762-5061 or debbieh@mhgnb.com.
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Photos from the MassHire GNB Youth Opportunity Expo |
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New Bedford Highlighted at the International Partnering Forum Offshore Wind Energy Conference |
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New Bedford Ocean Cluster members and parnters. |
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In April, three members of MassHire GNB Workforce Board, along with members of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC), attended the International Partnering Forum (IPF) offshore wind energy conference in New Orleans hosted by the Oceantic Network.
The IPF conference is an exceptional event for
offshore wind energy, bringing together global leaders and businesses in the
supply chain. The forum offers unparalleled networking opportunities and provides relevant updates on industry topics such as technology, policy, safety, and siting.
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With over 350 exhibitors present at the forum, and a robust selection
of workshops and seminars, attendees gained insight on offshore wind projects
taking place across the globe. These detailed, niche projects will continue to grow in the upcoming years.
Our service delivery area, more specifically the city of New Bedford, was
heavily highlighted throughout the forum, as we gain significant traction in
the world of offshore wind.
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For this newsletter issue, we have chosen the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) as the featured resource. JAN offers free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. For 40 years, JAN has been helping customers nationally and globally with free personalized guidance, and technical support on job accommodations, ADA Title I, and self-employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Follow this link to learn more! >>>
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We hope that you found our newsletter to be 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.
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Submit your news or event!
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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.
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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
- Logo and photos in JPG, PNG or PDF format (if available)
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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 staff operated jointly by Equus Workforce Solutions® 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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
PERSONALITY
“I am your trusted partner in achieving your personal and business goals. I embrace your needs as my mission and offer a welcoming, professional experience at every point in our journey together. I believe in you as I do in myself. Things change quickly… I GET IT. You can always depend on me to offer guidance, resources, and support. If you want a job, seek to fortify your business for the long-term, or need a quick response to a pressing need, I can help. “Let’s get to work!”
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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.)
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