Youth Programs for Employers & Schools

Connecting Activities

Connecting Activities (CA) is a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) initiative that supports “college and career readiness” for all students.

Through the CA program, MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board Youth Team establishes public-private partnerships that connect local schools and area businesses. This provides structured work-based learning and career development experiences for students that support academic and employability skill attainment. Through the network, educators can exchange ideas and practice by assessing a wide range of tools, resources, and experiences that support students. Also, employers and community partners can find channels to connect with schools in order to promote career awareness for local students. Our Connecting Activities Youth Team works with area employers to develop relationships and facilitate part-time, after-school, and weekend jobs as well as summer job opportunities for youth.

Our Connecting Activities Youth Team also supports a wide range of activities beyond work experiences, including  job fairs, job shadow days, career days, employer guest speaker series, workshops and other career development activities.

Innovation Career Pathways

Innovation Career Pathways are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industries, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

Innovation Career Pathways create strong partnerships with employers to expose students to career options and help them develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field of study before they graduate high school. Schools partner with their regional Workforce Boards as a requisite step in the application and designation process.

MassHire Greater New Bedford is honored to partner with Fairhaven High School for their Innovative Business and Finance Program.