This year, the MassHire YouthWorks Summer internship program was a success. This was 6-week program providing approximately 275 local youth career exploration and workforce development opportunities. Participants ranged from age 14 to 25 years old. This year participants entered internships where they gained first-hand experience in team collaboration, leadership development, working with the public and a working knowledge of different career paths they may be interested in pursuing.
In many cases, top performing youth build relationships with our worksite hosts and are also offered a job during the school year.
Much of the program’s success is attributed to our wonderful partners that were willing to host our youth participant employees. These local businesses and organizations willingly stepped forward to serve as mentors who coached our interns on how to gain success in their specific industry, provided basic work skills, development training and further guided our young population in conducting industry specific tasks. The program offered our young aspiring professionals first-hand exposure to potential careers. An invaluable advantage for a young person when crafting their professional self. Read more. >>>
New Bedford Boys & Girls Club:
“We have 10 excellent MassHire Summer employees working at the Boys and Girls Club. Eight of these employees serve as counselors. They are instrumental in interacting with the children, playing games with them, supervising the children while playing indoors and outdoors, eating lunch and playing on the computer. Also, these counselors are vital in monitoring the children on field trips like the recent trip to the Museum of Science. In addition, two other MassHire YouthWorks participants serve as maintenance workers and perform custodial duties and play an important role in helping maintain and keeping the building and grounds clean.”
Are you curious or wondering how to get involved with the MassHire Summer Youthworks internship program?
If you and your organization would like to participate next year and align yourself with some of the best examples our community has to offer, please contact MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center Youth Department to pre-register for next summer by calling 508-990-4000. Online registration for worksite hosts will begin in February, a registration link will be posted on our website.
News Release U.S. Department of Labor | July 11, 2023
US Department of Labor Awards $800K to Support Disaster-Relief Jobs, Training in Massachusetts to Continue State’s Opioid Crisis Response
Incremental award to support Bristol, Plymouth counties
WASHINGTON – To support efforts to address Massachusetts’ continuing opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $800,000 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to support employment and training services and disaster-relief jobs for workers in Bristol and Plymouth counties.
The National Dislocated Worker Grant funding will enable Massachusetts to continue to address the harmful impacts from the opioid crisis on the local workforce by continuing disaster-relief employment positions for community health workers, peer navigators, recovery specialists and recovery coaches. The project also provides employment and training services to people affected by the opioid crisis with a focus on training formerly incarcerated people in high-demand occupations in the maritime trade industry.
In 2022, Massachusetts reported a 2.5 percent increase in opioid-related deaths over the previous year.
In July 2021, the department announced the award of up to $2,368,337 to Massachusetts with an initial award of $800,000.
The award announced today brings the total amount funded to date to $1.6 million.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling Massachusetts to request this funding.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, and supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants provide funding to states and local communities to increase their ability to serve dislocated workers after large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.
U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).
Partner Spotlight
The NBPS Adult/Continuing Education Division offers grant-funded programs that provide free basic skills learning as well as high school equivalency diplomas. The basic skill programs include four levels of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education in reading, writing, and math, and Pre-Adult Secondary
As a key partner in our workforce development efforts, this edition puts the New Bedford Public Schools (NBPS) Division of Adult/Continuing Education & Summer School in the spotlight. We spoke with Bernice Jensen, Manager, to learn more about the programs offered and the benefits Adult/Continuing Education provides to our community. After working in retail management for 18 years, Bernice began her career in continuing education services in 1999 and now oversees a variety of adult learning programs.
NBPS Division of Adult/Continuing Education & Summer School Mission Statement:
To provide adult learners with the opportunities to develop the skills necessary to realize achievable goals and make informed decisions as they exercise their rights and responsibilities as learners, family members and citizens.
Education. Adult Secondary Education provides HiSET and GED preparation and testing, along with a morning Adult High School Diploma Program. Depending on the program, classes are available mornings and/or evenings at various locations in New Bedford. Tuition/fee-based programs includes the High School Evening Extension Program.
All participants are eligible for free support services
ranging from educational and career
advising, volunteer tutors, computer-assisted instruction, leadership
opportunities and more.
The NBPS Adult/Continuing Education Division also serves as
an official testing center for high school equivalency exams (GED and HiSET)
with computer or paper-based testing available in English or Spanish.
Additionally, the Adult/Continuing Education Division serves as an official
PearonVue testing center, offering testing for over 100 industry recognized
credentials in over 100 different certifications.
Bernice Jensen, Manager
NBPS
Adult/Continuing Education Division
Bernice’s long-term perspective has given her a true appreciation for the value of continuing education. Bernice sees adult education as providing second, third and even fourth chances for individuals to overcome life circumstances—such as illness, need to work, or even lack of interest—that interfere with educational attainment. Bernice also has seen how adult education can be a benefit to families, and entire communities. Bernice compared this to “ripples in a pond” and recalled many instances of a person seeing a relative or neighbor accomplish their goals and then they gain the confidence to also try and do the same. This in turn uplifts entire communities by improving individual skills and earning potential, while providing a larger
worker pool for employers and upward mobility for residents.
Bernice also stated that partnership with other
community-based and government agencies was essential for success and allow
them to provide a better safety net for students. Bernice felt there was no
downside to partnerships because it enabled them to solve problems and provide
access to resources like the women’s health and crisis centers. Partnering
with MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center provided their students an
additional location to receive educational and career advising services.
For more information, call the NBPS Adult Education
Information Center at 508 997-4511 Ext. 33550 / 33551, or visit https://adulted.newbedfordschools.org/.
Orientation: 10/30/23
Start Date: 11/6/23
End Date: 1/30/24
To sign up for more information when it becomes available, call (508) 990-4000 and ask for Zubair Ahmad Ulfat or email ZubairAhmad.Ulfat@masshiregnbcc.com.
Carpentry Training & Job Placement
MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board
and Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical
High School have joined efforts to help increase
the number of qualified skilled Tradespersons at no cost to eligible applicants.
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 SAMC's calendar page for a complete list of training, workshops, seminars, meetings and industry events for the advanced manufacturing industry. View calendar now! >>>
L. to R. Keith Oliveira, Trainer (Quality Control Electrician-works with Brian), Jane McArdle, Debbie Hartman (MassHire), Joel Varilus, Benjimen Benique, Devin Pinckney, Jeffrey Millette and Brian MacPherson, Mentor.
MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board is pleased to acknowledge the Solar Electrician Apprentices at Trinity Solar in Wareham.
Jeffrey Millette Jr., Devin Pinckney and Joel Varilus have just completed the first year of their four-year Registered Apprenticeship Program. Benjimen Benique will complete his first year this October.
For information about how you or your organization can participate in Registered Apprenticeships, contact Debbie at 508-979-1504 x121, email debbieh@mhgnb.com, or Matt at 508-979-1504 x117, email matt@mhgnb.com.
Gunnar Hexum completes Political Science Internship at MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board.
Four years of retirement was more than enough, more than enough! Healthy and strong, I always wanted to study law and public policy, so I decided to return to school. Why not now? I thought it necessary to do some cognitive conditioning and regain the academic discipline to
complete the UMass Dartmouth combined Juris Doctor & Master of Public Policy (JD/MPP) credential.
I decided to take 10 Political Science courses and expect to start Law School in Fall 2024. Preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a steep climb, however as healthy as can be—use it or lose it. One of those 10 credits was an internship at MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, which Joe Lopes and Jacqueline Sylvia were kind enough to allow me to assist with the upcoming regional healthcare grant.
Apparently, I am but 1 in 6 seniors aspiring to return to school. Interestingly, modern financial aid does not require a senior to report many assets, such as equity and retirement income. Financial aid/scholarships are very generous. Being around the “kids” is terrific. Nearly all are very talented, welcoming, and like to cut holes in a new pair of jeans, the style of today—who knew? The professors are comparative youngins, yet nevertheless very accommodating.
It was inspiring as well to observe the staff at MHGNBWB, as they are hard workers. With broken down air-conditioning, a broken elevator, I never once heard a complaint. Joe kept an adept posture, staff cooperation was palpable, and competence coupled with positive attitudes apparent. Thank you to all, hope to work with you again sometime.
—Gunnar Hexum
Thank you, Gunnar for your support and willingness to go above and beyond to support our goals. You truly demonstrate that professional development is a lifelong endeavor.
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
Logo and photos in JPG, PNG or PDF format (if available)
Established in 1920 by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Women's Bureau is the only federal agency representing the needs of wage-earning women in the public policy process. The Women's Bureau's mission is:
"Women in the workforce are vital to the nation's economic security. The Women's Bureau champions policies and standards that safeguard the interests of working women, advocates for the equality and economic security of women and their families, and promotes quality work environments." Learn more at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb.
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 email 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 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 US
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.
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!”
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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