Paving the Way for Meaningful Careers in Healthcare, MassHire GNB Workforce Board Takes the Lead in Securing $2.7 Million Regional Job Training Grant
The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board, serving as the lead applicant for the MassHire Southeast Region 6, has been awarded a $2,660,220 grant from the Commonwealth Corporation for regional healthcare workforce training initiatives.
This funding will expand healthcare training programs in Southeastern Massachusetts. Programming will be supported by the MassHire Southeast Region 6 Workforce Boards and Career Centers partners (MassHire Bristol, Greater Brockton, Greater New Bedford, and South Shore).
Over 16 regional employers, including hospitals, physicians’ groups, nursing and rehab facilities, home care providers, and behavioral health organizations have committed to recruit staff from grant programs, collaborate in the overall grant initiative, and provide hired grant graduates with professional growth within their organizations beyond the grant training.
Most of the funding will be for training programs to prepare up to 260 unemployed and underemployed individuals for careers in healthcare. Over the next three-years through December 2026, MassHire Southeast Region 6 Workforce Boards will implement training programs for Medical Assistant, Certified Nurse Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician at various State approved training providers within the region.
“This project is funded by the Healthcare/Behavioral Health Hub Continuation Grant (Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund FY’21 Appropriation) and funds appropriated through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. This grant initiative is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Workforce Skills Cabinet.”
US Department of Labor Awards $768K to Support Disaster-Relief Jobs, Training in Massachusetts, Continue Supporting Commonwealth’s Opioid Crisis Response
Incremental award to support Bristol, Plymouth counties
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $768,337 to support continued efforts to provide disaster-relief jobs and employment and training
services for people in Massachusetts communities, helping to address the
health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.
The funding supports employment of members of the local workforce as 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 for work in high demand occupations in the maritime trade industry.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, thereby enabling Massachusetts to request this funding.
Agency Employment and Training Administration Date January 30, 2024 Release Number 24-81-NAT Media Contact Monica Vereen Phone Number 202-693-4686 Email vereen.monica.c@dol.gov
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Recognizes Youth Team
SkillsUSA students from GNB Vocational Technical High School
The MassHire GNB Workforce Board Youth team received a thank you letter and poster from the SkillsUSA students from Greater New Bedford Voc Tech. The Board helped fund SkillsUSA programming in local and national competitions. Collectively, over the past three years, the students who participated in the SkillsUSA competitions have won over 40 medals and accolades for their outstanding performances and innovative projects.
SkillsUSA is an organization creating a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA impacts the lives of America’s future workforce through the development of personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics.
SkillsUSA support provided by Masshire GNB Workforce Board Youth team included:
Motivational Speakers
SkillsUSA End of Program Celebration and Recruitment Party
SkillsUSA Leadership/Team Building SEL Escape Room
Transportation to Career Expos, College and Job Fairs
Entrepreneurship Day (Hall)
Entrepreneurship Day with Industry Expert Panels (Lunch)
MassHire
Greater New Bedford Workforce Board’s Youth team was proud to sponsor the Steam
the "This Can Be You" assembly by Steam the Streets at New Bedford
High School, which put on two performances for more than eight hundred
students! STEAM the Streets aims to raise awareness and prepare students for
careers in STEM and the arts.
This winter, our spotlight is aimed at our long-time
healthcare training partner Coastal Career Academy.
Coastal
Career Academy’s story begins with its CEO/Director, Debra Gomes, RN. In the
late 1980s, Deb worked in the Emergency Room at St. Luke’s Hospital in New
Bedford where there was a persistent staffing need for entry-level direct care
workers. Deb found that healthcare employers generally struggled with
maintaining well-trained direct care
staff. Deb began her journey to make
a difference by training Certified Nurse Assistants in the evenings at the former Island Terrace nursing home. Deb
knew that the workforce filling these entry-level roles faced significant barriers–support
and guidance were key to their success. Limited income, child care needs, and
transportation were top of mind for her students and future direct care staff. Deb
connected with the local Workforce Board and Career Center to assist her in
overcoming these barriers. Deb attended every meeting she could, reaching out
to workforce development professionals, healthcare administrators, and
community leaders.
Coastal
Career Academy was officially founded in a single classroom in the North End of
New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1999. Demand for qualified healthcare staff and
occupational training grew. Two classrooms turned into three before Coastal
Career Academy moved to a larger space in Fall River, Massachusetts. Coastal
Career Academy is licensed through the Massachusetts Division of Professional
licensure, and it has expanded its offerings far beyond traditional CNA
training, including courses in Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician,
Patient Care Technician, Basic Life Support, EKG Certification , Nurse
Assistant/Home Health Aide ESOL in partnership with UMass neighborhood college.
Coastal Career Academy also offers a Plumbing Apprentice Program and coming soon Electrical Apprentice Programs.
Partnership continues to be essential to Coastal Career Academy’s offerings. The school is registered as a state approved Eligible Training Provider and it partners with Workforce Boards to execute grants targeted at servicing limited income trainees. Deb has partnered with Career Centers and community organizations to assist with textbooks, scrubs, shoes, transportation and even child-care. Most importantly, Deb partners with healthcare employers to ensure that her students find a meaningful position upon completing their training. Coastal Career Academy’s goal is that each student graduate debt free with an employment opportunity that offers professional development and room for advancement.
Today, Deb Gomes, and Coastal Career Academy continue to explore options to better serve the staffing needs of healthcare employers and her students. She seeks partnerships to expand and tailor offerings to meet the diverse needs of her students. Deb first seeks to learn about her students–where do they want to work?What will this job mean to them personally? Then, Deb works to find or develop the right program to suit their needs.
Students who began seemingly insurmountable barriers have gone from Coastal Career Academy to nursing school, positions in healthcare administration, and even medical school. For Deb, there are no barriers that her students can’t overcome.
Individual student success continues to be Deb’s greatest joy and the driving force behind Coastal Career Academy’s efforts.
Career CenterCorner
Business Services Unit
Finding a job can be stressful. Do you need guidance to determine what route you must take to reach your employment objective? At
with a variety of job assistance services. They are your connection to employers. To learn more about how the Business Services team can help you find a job and grow in your career, contact us at 774.762.5081.
Customer Comments:
Dear Sir/Madam:
I just wanted to share my testimony on working with Karen on finding employment.
Karen Lazaro
Business Services
Consultant
Karen was always professional and guided each and every step with great care and assurance. She was very attentive to details and shared an incredible amount of information for new open employment opportunities.
She went above and beyond to make sure all the needs and resources I needed were met.
Karen kept great lines of communication to access her and was always extremely resourceful in
assisting with interview prep and following up.
I would highly recommend her to help candidates with their job search.
She was an absolute delight to work with and cares about making a difference and helping each candidate achieve their goals.
I am extremely grateful to Karen and the amazing opportunity for the position I have now thanks to all her help and efforts in helping me achieve my dream position and not giving up. Always motivating me to keep going!
Thank you, Karen, for believing in me and seeing the potential I have!
To you I and forever grateful for the new opportunities my children and I will now be able to experience because of her great efforts in helping myself find an amazing employer.
Thank you, Karen, you are extremely professional, attentive and an absolute ray of sunshine.
I appreciate all the resources you shared with me and the great connection with the employer I now have because of your assistance.
Best Regards, Tiffany
New Veterans Services Web Page Launched
Matt Sutton, Veterans Employment Representative/DVOP Specialist
As part of our ongoing commitment to better serve our customers, we have launched a new Veterans Services page on our website. Visitors to the page are introduced to Matt Sutton, our highly experienced Veterans Employment Representative.
Veterans’ Priority of Service is also highlighted, and the page is enhanced with an online inquiry form designed to speed up the enrollment process.
If you or someone you know is a veteran in need of employment or training, we invite you to visit our new page to learn more or inquire today!
(Family Features) Veterans play an important role in U.S. history. Over time, the demographics of veterans have changed, but few realize the growing role of women in the armed
forces. Today, women
comprise 11% of the veteran population. According to the Pew Research Center, that number is expected to increase to 18% by 2048.
Fannie Griffin McClendon is
one of those women. She enlisted during a tumultuous period of history that
spanned World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Her more than two decades in the military included service
in both the Army and Air Force.
In an
oral history interview for the Library
of Congress Veterans History Project, she
recalled her proudest memory was her time with the 6888th Central Postal
Directory Battalion during World
War II. As the only all-African
American, all-female unit deployed
to Europe, it processed mountains of mail for U.S.servicemembersin Europe in 1945 and is credited with boosting the troops’ morale.McClendon also provided a unique perspective of life as a career military officer in an era when African American women faced bigotry and barriers.
Through
the Veterans History Project, the Library of Congress collects and preserves
the firsthand remembrances of U.S. military veterans like McClendon and makes
them accessible for future generations to better understand veterans’ service
and sacrifice. Stories are available to the public on the Library’s website and
at the Washington, D.C. campus.
Take
your support for small businesses one step further and look for women veteran-owned
businesses to support. These leaders are making waves in the business world and
the nonprofit sector. If possible, provide mentorships for women veterans to
help transition to civilian life.
Encourage
Women Veterans to Share Their Stories
Interview
the women veterans in your life and capture the details of their military experiences.
Then share your documentation with the Veterans History Project, which helps
preserve these stories for future generations.
Submit a 30-minute (or longer)
unedited video or audio interview sharing service details and/or a collection
of original photos or correspondence. Veterans, or families of deceased
veterans, may also submit a minimum 20-page journal and/or unpublished memoir or
10 or more original photos or letters. Visit loc.gov/vets
and click “How to Participate” for instructions.
Learn
More About Women Veterans
Educate
yourself, your children and those around you. Visit museums and memorials, many
of which have specific displays to honor the sacrifices and triumphs of women
veterans.
Advocate for and Empower Women Veterans
Support initiatives and programs that serve women veterans. Empower them to acknowledge their service and take advantage of the programs and resources available.
Say ‘Thank You’
This may be the easiest, yet most impactful, way you can support veterans, and there are many ways to do so. Shake her hand, buy her lunch or send her a card or letter. None of these take much time, but each can have a big impact.
Photos courtesy of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, Fannie Griffin McClendon Collection, AFC2001/001/119440 and Fannie Griffin McClendon.
MassHire GNB Workforce Board would like to give a hearty shout out to our own female veteran, Deven Robitaille.
Deven served as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 2011 to 2015. Deven completed two overseas missions in Korea and Qatar during the Global War on Terror and was based in Texas and Oklahoma when stationed in the US.
As some of our readers know, we recently settled into our new office digs at 25 Elm street in New Bedford. To our delight, we discovered a fine feathered neighbor (depicted in the photo above) taking residence in the back lot. We want to give him a name and need your help! The winning entry will receive a $50.00 VISA gift card!
Please include your full name and a phone number when emailing your entry.
The winner will be selected by ballot of the MassHire GNB Workforce Board staff. The entry receiving the highest number of votes will win. (In case of a tie, we will conduct another ballot and continue until the tie is broken.)
Employees and board members of MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers, their family, or household members are not eligible to participate.
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! >>>
MWA’s Advocacy Academy Workforce Policy Briefing
(left to right) MA Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, MA Representative Kip A. Digs, and MA Representative Josh S. Cutler
On February 8, 2024, the first ever Workforce Advocacy Academy graduates presented their workforce policy briefings at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Lawmakers and their staff, MWA members and supporters, and other invited guests were among those in attendance.
Created by the Massachusetts Workforce Association (MWA), the Advocacy Academy was made available thanks to a design grant from SkillWorks. In partnership with Black Lion Strategies, the MWA convened a cohort of 10 individuals from across Massachusetts for policy and advocacy training sessions held from October to December 2023. The Academy’s mission was to train a diverse network of professionals in workforce-related advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. Academy participants gained communication and advocacy skills, were introduced to the federal and state workforce systems, and participated in experiential learning opportunities.
New Bedford Homeless Service Providers Network Launches Online Street Sheet
To improve access to information for individuals experiencing homelessness and seeking resources, the City of New Bedford’s Homeless Service Provider’s Network (HSPN) recently launched an online version of their “Street Sheet” flyer. This online web page provides vital information for finding meals, shelter, and emergency assistance to support homeless individuals in need.
If someone you know is facing homelessness, please share this link with them.
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 toinfo@masshiregreaternewbedford.comwith any comments, suggestions or questions you may have.
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
Logo and photos in JPG, PNG or PDF format (if available)
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 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.)
MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board | 25 Elm Street, New Bedford MA
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