Workforce Development News & Updates

March 6, 2020 | Vol 3

reMAke 4.0 Leadership Commission Established in North Central

Momentum continues to build for the regional reMake 4.0 consortium that is uniting our many workforce partners all dedicated to building a qualified talent pipeline through industry specific, skilled training to our region’s manufacturing companies. On December 6th 2019, a meeting was held at Leominster City Hall. It was attended by 35 educators, employers, economic development and workforce professionals, the reMAke 4.0 North Central Leadership Commission was created to inspire a sustained effort to increase awareness and implement road maps towards careers in manufacturing . The reMAke 4.0 North Central Leadership Commission will provide strategic direction in the development and implementation of pathways to educate our students about the careers in this region’s high demand industry sector. It is a forum for the exchange of ideas among business leaders, educators and the MassHire North Central Workforce Board culminating in the creation of action plans that result in measurable outcomes for students in our local schools as well as manufacturers in our region. to read more 

MassHire North Central Career Center Sponsors the Workforce Training Fund

The MassHire North Central Career Center hosted a workshop for businesses on January 30th at the career center. This information session provided an overview of the Workforce Training Fund programs (WTFP) available from the commonwealth. The Workforce Training Fund helps to make staff training more affordable for local businesses. Topics covered in the workshop included: requirements of each program (General, Express, and Small Business Direct Access) funding availability, and the application process. The workshop gave participants the information needed to determine which grants are best suited for their business needs and know how to begin the application process. The career center also provided access to grant writers to assist with the application process. Thank you Kristen Rayne & Commonwealth Corp for a terrific presentation. to read more 

School to Career Pipeline

Beginning in the spring of 2019, the MassHire North Central Workforce Board and Fitchburg High School have created a partnership to develop a school to career pipeline for one of our region's top priority sectors: Advanced Manufacturing. To support this effort, the MassHire North Central Workforce Board has provided Fitchburg High School guidance counselors with professional development opportunities focused on this region manufacturing industry and our ability to provide subsidized training certifications for high school graduates. Armed with a strategic vision provided by the MassHire North Central Workforce Board, guidance counselors meet with students from the upcoming graduating class and discuss the career paths in manufacturing. Approximately 35 soon to be graduates who express an interest in joining the school to career pipeline attend MassHire North Central Workforce Board career readiness workshops. Workshop topics include: industry research, career and workplace soft skills, resume writing, interviewing skills and interview preparation. Upon the completion of the class, students participate in a MassHire North Central Workforce Board sponsored Manufacturing Career Fair at Fitchburg High School. Local employers alongside several post-secondary educators engage with the students in a round-robin style interview session. The goal of the day is to have all of the participating students receive either a job offer upon graduation or to be enrolled in manufacturing training programs with one of the reMAke 4.0 training partners. If you are an employer that would like to participate in the MassHire North Central Workforce Board/Fitchburg High School Manufacturing Career Fair, please contact Anthony Wilson at Awilson@masshirenorthcentralwb.com

Workforce Board Members Bring Industry Expertise to the Table

T he MassHire North Central Workforce Board continues to have incredible support from our active board members. Our membership of dedicated professionals provides a foundation in our efforts to advance workforce initiatives and guide our mission and strategic plan. Mario Guay is a committed board member and his expertise in advanced manufacturing is critical to advancing the work of the board in this priority industry in the region.  What is your current role at SMC? My title at SMC Ltd. is Division Controller, for our Devens, Massachusetts location. This position is a business partner with the Massachusetts leadership team providing information and insight to help make financially sound decisions. Primarily, I am responsible for financial reporting with a focus on analytics, such as product profitability and return on investment. How long have you been at SMC? In 2002, I started work with a company that eventually was purchased by SMC in 2008. After the acquisition, I transitioned to the roll of Division Controller at SMC Ltd. for the Massachusetts location. What do you like most about working at SMC? SMC has a very diverse workforce with many first generation Americans, including myself. The Company embraces its workforce and creates a culture of respect. Not only do we have a diverse workforce, but the products we manufacturer are also diverse. SMC is a contract manufacturer for the medical, pharmaceutical, and diagnostics markets. We make a wide variety of devices which makes this business very interesting. It is extremely rewarding to go into a hospital or doctor’s office and see a product that I know has been manufactured at SMC. to read more

Employer Highlight

In the small town of Jaffrey, NH a giant resides, MilliporeSigma. While employing over 1000 people at their New Hampshire location, MilliporeSigma is a leading supplier to the global Life Science industry. They provide solutions and services for research, development and production of biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug therapies. MilliporeSigma has an extensive list of products and services that are implemented in every stage of pharmaceutical production.  https://www.emdmillipore.com/US/en MilliporeSigma is truly a progressive and innovative company. Their dedication to their employees is demonstrated through MilliporeSigma's excellent benefits package, onsite wellness center, subsidized food services and incentive programs for employees who go green with hybrid & electric vehicles. In addition to their strong employee supports, MilliporeSigma shows commitment to sustainability and the environment and this is evident throughout the entire company in their use of greener heating sources and onsite water purification systems.  Millipore’s Jaffrey location is on track to hit 1300 employees over the next several years. Then MassHire North Central Workforce Board has partnered with MilliporeSigma in our joint efforts to cultivate a pipeline of talented workers. We look forward to MilliporeSigma's engagement in upcoming regional job fairs, tours and high school career days.

MassHire North Central Sponsored Activities

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