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A
Message from the Executive Director/CEO, Michael W Santos
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Dear Community Members, Partners, and Workforce Leaders,
As we embark on the summer season, I’m filled with both pride and gratitude for the continued progress we’re making together to strengthen our regional workforce. Summer brings with it a renewed sense of energy, growth, and opportunity—and here at the Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, we are seizing the moment to forge ahead with purpose and momentum.
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Michael W Santos, Executive Director/CEO |
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Over the past year, and especially in recent months, we have made meaningful
strides in advancing our core priorities: organizational development,
operational effectiveness, and strategic growth. These efforts are laying a
strong foundation for long-term sustainability and deeper community impact.
Internally, we have initiated the informal implementation of a new
leadership structure, aligning our work across three key areas: internal
operations, external engagement, and fiscal priorities. These changes are
already enhancing coordination, clarifying responsibilities, and positioning us
to better serve our growing network of partners and stakeholders. With this
formal rollout, we will reinforce our commitment to transparency,
accountability, and operational excellence.
Programmatically, the outcomes speak for themselves. Our healthcare
initiative successfully trained 150 Certified Nursing Assistants, helping to
address urgent regional workforce needs. In manufacturing, 24 individuals
completed specialized training in CNC, MACWIC, and advanced manufacturing,
developing skills aligned with employer demand. Our summer youth programming is
one of our most robust to date, with 277 young people engaged, 247 of whom are
beginning work experience with over 70 local employers starting July 7.
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We’re also seeing significant progress in our veteran’s workforce efforts. More than 100 veterans have been vetted, with 26 enrolled and 4 actively training in high-impact fields such as CDL licensing, life coaching, cybersecurity, and college attainment. This is a vital initiative designed to upskill veterans and their spouses. This program is an important step in ensuring those who have served our country are fully supported in their transition to new career pathways.
These programs are fueled by the strength of key funding initiatives, the
EDA Good Jobs Challenge, and our Healthcare Hub grants—collectively supporting
training for more than 160 individuals in CNA and medical assistant roles. With
the extension of our veteran’s grant, we’ll reach 20 additional participants,
and our expanded manufacturing training program aims to enroll 60 more students
in the coming months.
As we continue to grow, our commitment remains unwavering: to build a more inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking workforce system that empowers individuals, strengthens our economy, and supports employers across the Southcoast. The road ahead is filled with opportunity, and together, we are well-equipped to meet it with innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose.
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Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. It is because of each of our employers, educators, service providers, community leaders, and customers—that our mission is not only possible, but thriving.
Here’s to a summer of progress, possibility, and shared success.
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Warm regards,
Michael W Santos
Executive Director/CEO
Greater New Bedford Workforce Board
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MassHire 250 Tour Showcases Workforce Innovation on New Bedford’s Working Waterfront
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On June 25, 2025, the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board was honored to host Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones and her team as part of the MassHire 250 Workforce Innovation Tour, a statewide celebration of local and regional workforce innovations.
Follow this link for the full story and a gallery of photos! >>> |
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Welcome New Staff Members |
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Meet Molliere Lafond – Our New Job Developer at MassHire GNBCC
We’re pleased to welcome Molliere Lafond to
MassHire GNB Career Center as a Job Developer, as of July 7, 2025.
A resident of New Brunswick for the past four years, Molliere brings a rich background in civil engineering and construction management, with
hands-on experience in large-scale
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projects across the United States and internationally. Jean transitioned into this new professional path to stay closer to his wife and children, and to use his skills to give back to the community. In his role, he is committed to guiding Haitian migrants through their career development and integration into the workforce. One of Molliere’s key strengths is his multilingual ability, he speaks Haitian Creole, French, Spanish and English fluently. This allows him to build strong and meaningful connections with newcomers from a wide range of backgrounds and help them navigate their journey with confidence.
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Meet Liz Daly – Our New Upskilling Navigator at MassHire GNBCC
The MassHire GNB Career Center welcomes Liz Daly, Upskilling Navigator for Special
Programs. In her role, Liz assists individuals in finding and enrolling in job
training programs that can help them develop new skills. Liz comes to the
Career Center with nearly two decades of
recruitment and retention experience. She holds bachelor and master
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degrees from Framingham State University and recently completed her J.D. at UMass Law. Liz is the cool Auntie and loves spoiling her nieces and nephews.
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Registered Apprenticeship Program Latest Graduate
MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board congratulates the newest graduate of our Registered Apprenticeship Program, Mai Lee.
Mai, an employee at AccuRounds in Avon, MA, has earned her Certificate of Completion for the CNC Operator Milling and Turning Apprenticeship from the Division of Apprentice Standards. She successfully completed 2,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 150 hours of related technical instruction.
We are proud of the perseverance and dedication Mai has shown in completing her apprenticeship and earning her certificate. |
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Congratulations, Mai, on a job well done!
For more info on how apprenticeship can benefit your organization, contact Debra Hartman
Apprenticeship Program Manager
at email debbieh@mhgnb.com or telephone (774) 762-5061. |
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Youth Team Welcomes New Members to the Board Staff |
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Welcome Youth Case Managers |
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Tayla Costa has joined the MassHire GNB Board’s Youth Team
as a Youth Case Manager. Prior to this, Tayla served as Upskilling Navigator
for Special Programs with the MassHire GNB Career Center, where she assisted
individuals in finding and enrolling in job training programs that helped them
develop new skills. Tayla’s past experience includes working in recruitment for Job
Corps. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Dartmouth. In her
free time, Tayla enjoys traveling and attending live music events.
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Hi,
my name is Johana Santos. I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Bedford
since the age of 6. I am a mother of two adult daughters and have a soon-to-be
6-year-old grandson. I am a leader of the Kids Society at my church as well as a
Bible teacher for the youth and adults. I have experience doing all types of
work in the nursing field and the hospitality industry, as well as production
and warehousing. I also have five years in staffing/account management and have
spent the last four and a half months working as
the Receptionist for MassHire GNB Career Center.
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These last months have been exciting and rewarding as I step
into my role as a Youth Case Manager. I am bilingual and speak English, Spanish,
and basic French Creole. I look forward to developing more skills and to helping
others to expand and better their future.
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We are pleased to announce that
this year, the MassHire YouthWorks Summer Internship Program has successfully
kicked off. This 6-week program provides approximately 277 local youth career
exploration and workforce development opportunities. Participants range from 14
to 25 years old. This year participants entered internships where they will
gain firsthand experience in team collaboration, leadership development,
working with the public, and a working knowledge of different career paths that
they may be interested in pursuing.
In past years, many of our top-performing
youths developed relationships with the worksite hosts and obtained continued employment
throughout the school year.
We attribute much of the program’s
success to our wonderful partners who are willing to host our youth participants
as employees. These local businesses and organizations have stepped forward to
serve as mentors, coaching our interns on how to succeed in their chosen
fields, providing basic work skills training, and guiding them in performing
industry-specific tasks. The program offers our aspiring young professionals
firsthand exposure to different careers they may be interested in pursuing.
This program provides a significant advantage for a young individual in shaping
their professional identity.
This year, 40+ businesses and
organizations have volunteered to host youth participants from the Greater New
Bedford Community. We are proud to say how pleased we are with how the summer
is unfolding and express our gratitude to all of our participating worksites
serving as outstanding role models within our community.
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Summer 2025 YouthWorks Partners - Acushnet VFW
- ITHACA Clean Energy
- Boys & Girls Club—Counselor
- Buttonwood Park Zoo—Grounds
- Buzzards Bay Coalition
- City of New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches
- Community Boating Center - Cust Srv
- Greater New Bedford Workforce Board
- Town of Dartmouth—Dartmouth Community Media
- Dennison Memorial Community Center
- Gallishaw High School
- Good Company New Bedford
- K&A Creations
- LifeStream Inc.—Admin, Myrtle Street
- Equus Workforce Solutions LLC/MassHire GNB Career Center
- Master Lee Taekwondo
- Medical Equipment Dynamics Inc.—Cleaning/Organizing **18
PLUS
- New Bedford Public Schools: Maintenance
- New Bedford Research and Robotics
- North Star Learning Centers Teachers Asst.
- Old Bedford Village
- Our Sisters School—Program Asst./Garden
- PACE Childcare Works
- PACE Food Pantry
- Reliable Bus
- The Rescue Cafe
- The Salvation Army
- Whalers Quahogs
- Wareham Gatemen
- West End Day Nursery
- YMCA SouthCoast/Sharing the Harvest Community Farm
- Youth Opportunities Unlimited
- New Bedford Port Authority
- A Little Patch of Heaven Farm Keeper
- Andrae McCoy Center
- Little People’s College, TA 360 Dartmouth Street
- Little People’s College, COOK 107 Welby Road
- Little People’s College, TA 374 Rockdale Ave
- Little People’s College, TA 4241 Acushnet Ave
- Little People’s College, TA 850 Church Street
- Little People’s College, TA 52 Donald Street
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Planning for a Positive Economic Future:
Financial Literacy Tips for Teens
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(Family Features) Financial literacy is a critical skill that helps set the foundation for a stable and prosperous future. By understanding the basics of money management, teens can make informed decisions and avoid common financial pitfalls.
According to the annual Teens and Personal Finance survey, a study of teens ages 13-18 conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Junior Achievement and MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation, 45% of high schoolers took a personal finance or financial literacy class at school. This is up from 31% in 2024, indicating the nation’s youth are interested in building a strong financial foundation. What’s more, of the students who took their school’s curriculum, 64% found it extremely or very helpful, yet despite this increase, data reveals knowledge gaps remain. In fact, 42% of teens surveyed are terrified they won’t have enough money to cover their future needs and goals.
“There is so much for teens to absorb when learning about finances and planning for their future, they often struggle to envision what lies ahead,” said Andre Robinson, president and CEO of MissionSquare Retirement. “Offering engaging programs that can boost financial knowledge and decision-making skills can only help to inspire young individuals to build a strong foundation of lifelong financial resilience.” Consider discussing these economic topics with your teen to help make a positive impact on students’ financial readiness and get them ready for financial decisions they’ll face in adulthood.
Mastering Saving and Budgeting
A good starting point for teens is to create a simple budget that tracks income and expenses. Because only 36% of teens surveyed save a part for their futures when they receive money, this can help them understand where money is going and identify areas they may be able to save for the future.
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This is particularly important considering 68% of teens agree that saving for retirement is something they can think about later in life.
Understanding CreditCredit is a powerful tool but can also be a source of financial trouble if not managed properly. It’s essential to understand how financial behaviors, like paying bills on time and keeping credit card balances low, impact their credit scores. A higher FICO score, which 80% of teens surveyed had never heard of or did not fully understand, can lead to better interest rates and more favorable loan terms.
Managing Common Debt Pitfalls According to the survey, 43% of teens believe an interest rate of 18% on debt is manageable and can be paid off over time. However, it’s important to understand the true cost of debt and how interest rates can accumulate over time and lead to significant financial strain. Establishing good debt management habits early, such as avoiding high-interest debt and paying off balances quickly, can lead to a healthier financial future. Investing and Planning Ahead
According to the survey, teenagers’ most appealing investing strategies are savings accounts, side hustles and keeping cash at home, and only 13% invest a portion of their money. Encouraging teens to learn about different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, can help them make informed decisions and begin to build long-term wealth. For more information to help teens improve their financial knowledge, visit ja.org. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock SOURCE: Junior Achievement
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Graduates Earn MACWIC Certifications Through MassHire-Supported Program |
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The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board and Career Center congratulates seven students who earned their certificates of completion from the MACWIC Level 1 and Level 2 Advanced Manufacturing Competency training that took place at the Discovery Language Academy in New Bedford.
This 80-hour MACWIC course taught by experts from MassMEP prepared the students with essential skills to assist them in finding employment for entry-level jobs in Advanced Manufacturing. The curriculum consisted of: - Shop Math
- Lean Manufacturing
- Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
- OSHA 10
- Blueprint Reading
- Metrology
- Work Readiness
- Statistical Process Control
- Team Involvement Problem Solving
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This program was funded by a grant from the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in partnership with the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board. If you are an employer looking for skilled, job-ready candidates, contact the Greater MassHire New Bedford Career Center at 774-762-5081. Give these individuals the opportunity to contribute to your team and grow within a thriving industry.
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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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This edition's featured resource is MassAbility, the new name for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). MassAbility is a state agency dedicated to helping people with disabilities live more independently and reach their goals. From job support to independent living services, MassAbility offers a variety of programs that make a real difference. The agency is focused on breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive, accessible Massachusetts for everyone. |
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MassAbility services include:
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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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