MassHire Central & North Central Workforce Boards Recognize Area Employers That Support Youth Career Development
On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, together with their colleagues at the MassHire North Central Workforce Board, recognized area employers that go above and beyond to help support youth career development during the 6th annual GROW (Growing and Readying Our Workforce) awards ceremony held at the Chocksett Inn in Sterling, MA. The award winners are selected through the two Boards’ many youth career development partners, including school districts, community based youth training programs, and industry associations.
The event was kicked off by the MassHire North Central Workforce Board’s Executive Director, Jeff Roberge, who welcomed attendees and spoke to the importance of employer connections to help prepare our region’s future workforce. This theme was echoed by the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board Executive Director, Jeff Turgeon, who noted, “this ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to come together to publically praise these industry leaders for their support in helping our youth better understand the world of employment and what it takes to succeed.”
The winners this year were:
- LS Starrett Company; STEM Pipeline Development Award (nominated by the Quabbin Regional School District)
- Knollwood Nursing Center; Talent Pipeline Development Award (nominated by the Fieldstone School and YOU, Inc.)
- AIS Inc.; New Business Partner Award (nominated by Goodrich Academy, Fitchburg Public Schools)
- Domitek, Inc.; Workforce Development Partner Award (nominated by the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board)
- Goodrich Academy; Youth Employment Champion Award (nominated by the MassHire North Central Workforce Board)
- Grafton Public Schools; Early Education program Development Award (nominated by the Grafton Job Corps Center)
Leaders from the Grafton Job Corps present the Early Education Program Development Award to the Grafton Pubic Schools
The annual event is held each spring at a location that alternates between the two regions, and this year’s event was coordinated by the MassHire North Central Workforce Board’s Deputy Director, Kelley French. Roberge recognized her efforts, stating, “I want to thank all those involved in the planning of this year’s event, especially Kelley, for all the time and thought put into making this happen.”
The two Boards hope that this event will help to promote greater involvement from employers in the region. Business leaders may contact their local workforce board for more information about how to get involved with youth career development programs near them.
For more information about youth programs for in-school youth, contact Ethan Brown at BrownEA@worcesterma.gov or 508.373-7612
Source: North Central Workforce Board
