New Bedford, MA – Five local programs in literacy and energy efficiency are now enrolling. Funded with over $450,000 in Economic Stimulus funds through The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB), these programs are expected to serve over 130 individuals by the end of this year.

The five programs fulfill a need for Weatherization and Energy Efficiency training, Pre-General Education Development (Pre-GED), General Education Development (GED), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Work Readiness within the Greater New Bedford region.

Bristol Community College’s Stepping Stone program partnered with the UMass Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative to provide training in energy efficiency, green building and renewable energy. Participants can obtain enhanced certifications for entry-level or higher job placement in the energy efficiency and general construction industries, or similar apprenticeship programs.

New Bedford Public Schools are offering an ESOL class enabling limited English speaking individuals to increase oral and written communication skills in English, basic mathematics and technology skills .

P.A.C.E., Inc. Child Care Works & The Family Center have partnered to offer ESOL with Work Readiness instruction, enabling participants to take part in multigenerational activities that have a focus on workforce skills and needs, thus engaging the entire family in the process and teaching them about what is needed to be work ready.

Treatment Development Corporation, Inc.’s Pre-GED class is offering a holistic approach to working with participants beyond academic and classroom needs.

New Directions Southcoast, Inc., is providing a GED program at the Wareham Career Center.

These classes are offered free of charge to eligible participants. For more information, please visit www.GNBWIB.org and click on the “Literacy and Energy Efficiency Classes” link at the top of the page, or contact the New Bedford Career Center at 508-990-4000.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board

Connecting Employers and Job Seekers
employment - education - training

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment 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 Scott W. Lang, the Board is composed of business, civic, education, labor, and community leaders.

Established under federal law, the Board's Chairman is a member of the private sector. The current Chairman is Charles R. Simpson, President and CEO, First Citizens' Federal Credit Union in Fairhaven. Vice-Chairman is David DeJesus, Jr., VP Human Resources, Southcoast Hospitals Group, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford.

The Board employs a staff of full-time professionals and maintains offices in New Bedford. The Board itself consists entirely of volunteers.

All of the Board's meetings are open to the public.

227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946
PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680
Visit us on the web at: http://www.gnbwib.org

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