- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
WORCESTER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) continued its MassHire 250 Workforce Innovation Tour in Central Massachusetts yesterday, celebrating local and regional workforce innovations in the region. The tour builds on the launch of Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America’s independence and Massachusetts’ revolutionary legacy and will collaborate with the state’s 16 MassHire regional workforce boards.
Since January 2023, the Healey-Driscoll administration has provided more than $3 million in workforce development grants to the Central and North Central regions, including Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund Success Grants, Workforce Training Program Grants, Career Technical Initiative program, and GROW Apprenticeship Grants.
“Our MassHire Regional Workforce Boards engage directly with employers, training providers, and many partners in delivering new and innovative ways to serve jobseekers and untapped talent,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “As we look back on the amazing innovation that has helped to shape Massachusetts, this tour is an opportunity to also demonstrate that our workforce ecosystem has and will continue to bridge partnerships and new approaches to meet the growing needs of industry, workers, and future talent in regions across the Commonwealth.”
The day began at SMC Ltd. in Devens, a best-in-class medical device manufacturing and pharma services company. As a key partner of MassHire Central Manufacturing Consortium and the MassHire North Central Workforce Board, SMC Ltd has demonstrated a strong commitment to workforce development and industry collaboration. For example, SMC has been instrumental in reviewing and enhancing curriculum for emerging pipeline trainings in CNC and Production Technology. Additionally, recognizing the pressing need for skilled front-line supervisors, SMC, alongside other local companies, supported the development of a Frontline Training Program with Mount Wachusett Community College and successfully placed six employees in this program.
Secretary Jones ended the day with a tour of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) in Worcester. The Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative is the longest-running life sciences incubator in the Commonwealth that helps emerging life sciences companies advance from concept to clinical trials, create jobs, and promote economic development. MBI has a longstanding partnership with the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board. This productive collaboration includes launching a local life-sciences workforce consortium bringing together training providers (including Quinsigamond Community College, Mount Wachusett CC, and WPI), companies, and economic development partners and jointly working on the Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative (BWI), which brings together a diverse group of over 30 industry and academic organizations working collaboratively to address the workforce challenges and gaps within the rapidly evolving life sciences sector.
"Grassroots innovation thrives when communities embrace and encourage bold risks, sparking ideas that ripple outward to drive broader change,” said Alysia Ordway, Undersecretary for Workforce Development. “We are delighted to be able to showcase the collaboration happening across the state to ready the Commonwealth for work of the future as part of the Mass250 Celebration."
As the Healey-Driscoll Administration commemorates Massachusetts' 250th anniversary and the nation’s independence over the next two years, EOLWD is teaming up with partners across the state to celebrate and engage communities and highlight innovative workforce initiatives. Between April and July, EOLWD will make stops at the 16 MassHire workforce board regions across the state.
More information on upcoming tour stop dates and times can be found at mass.gov/MassHire250, and you can follow along on social media with the hashtag #MassHire250.
“Massachusetts’ 250th anniversary reminds us of the spirit of determination and innovation that built our Commonwealth,” said MassHire Department of Career Services Director Beth Goguen. “MassHire carries that legacy forward, empowering and connecting people with opportunity and helping ensure businesses thrive with the tools and people they need to grow and remain competitive.”
Next on the tour, the Healey-Driscoll Administration will visit the MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board and tour the Helfrich Brother Boiler Works in Larwence, followed by a visit to the MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board.
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
Jeff Roberge, Executive Director, MassHire North Central Workforce Board:
“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with SMC Ltd. Concurrent with their commitment to driving advancement in medical instrument manufacturing, SMC has demonstrated unwavering support in the development and training of our next generation of workforce.”
Charlotte Ward, Director, Engineering, SMC Ltd:
"Here at SMC Ltd., we manufacture devices that aid in helping individuals around the world. The success of our customers depends on having skilled, technically trained professionals who drive the innovation behind their products. We’re proud to partner with local organizations like MassHire to help build a strong, capable workforce and ensure we have the right talent to support our growing operations."
Jeff Turgeon, Executive Director, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board:
“We are thrilled to be joining the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Lauren Jones, MBI, and our partners from industry and education to celebrate the approaching 250th anniversary of our Commonwealth’s independence. The spirit of revolution is alive and well in Massachusetts and can be seen in the innovative work happening today throughout Central Massachusetts, fueled by our region’s workforce, including the incredible advancements happening in the life sciences field.”
Jon Weaver, President and CEO, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative:
“Massachusetts’ greatest asset is our workforce - skilled, resilient, and built for the future. At MBI, we see that strength every day in the entrepreneurs, scientists, and students who are driving a new generation of startups in Central Massachusetts. As we celebrate 250 years of the Commonwealth, it’s clear that our people are powering the industries of tomorrow.”
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