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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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APPLICANTS ENCOURAGED TO ENROLL IN NEW LOCAL LITERACY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS

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.

COMMUNITY ACKNOWLEDGES EARLY LITERACY NEEDS FOR THE REGION

Many came out to the North Dartmouth Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, to help raise funds to provide access to books for local children. The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) sponsored the Barnes & Noble Bookfair fundraiser to benefit the Community Foundation’s Greater New Bedford Early Literacy Consortium (ELC).

ARRA Harvest Awards

NEW BEDFORD – The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board (WIB) recently hosted the Harvest Awards to recognize the dozens of local businesses and youth service providers who responded to the rapid influx of $1.5 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars for youth jobs this past summer. The event took place at Normandin Middle School in the city.

A SPEEDY TRANSITION FROM DISLOCATED TO EMPLOYED

New Bedford, MA -- On Wednesday, September 30, 2009 the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) held its quarterly meeting at Konarka Technologies, Inc.  Mitch Cahn of the recently-opened New Bedford Tactical Gear, LLC, spoke at the event about his recent experience with the WIB.

Teen Jobs Needed More than Ever

Employment opportunities for 16-19 year olds in the U.S. have collapsed to record new lows in the past year. Fewer than 30% of the nation’s teens have been working in recent months versus 45% in 2000 and nearly 50% in 1989. The drop in teen employment rates have exceeded those experienced by all working-age persons in the U.S. during the Great Depression. And here in Massachusetts, teen employment rates have also declined considerably over the past eight years. Between January and March of this year, only 28 % of the state’s teens were employed, a new historic low for the state.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board’s Advanced Manufacturing Initiative

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, Bristol Community College will be hosting a closing ceremony for participants successfully completing the Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) and Work Readiness programs. These participants have earned one college credit. This event will take place at Bristol Community College’s New Bedford Campus (BCC) from 4:30pm to 6pm in room 161, where President John J. Sbrega, Ph.D., will honor the partner companies and participants with a college credit presentation.

COMMUNITY FORUM - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING through Federal Economic Stimulus Funds - $2.9 Million

Mayor Scott Lang and the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB), have announced $2.9 Million in Economic Stimulus funds coming to the region for employment, education and training needs for Youth, Adults & Dislocated Workers (laid-off) eligible under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Of these funds, approximately $1 Million is going to the Youth Summer Jobs program and $700k to Adults & Dislocated Workers, and your opinion is critical to developing a regional strategy for spending these dollars.

Greater New Bedford - Youth Summer Jobs Program $1 Million from Economic Stimulus

Mayor Scott Lang and the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc., have announced $1Million in Economic Stimulus dollars coming to the region for this summer’s Youth Summer Jobs Program. This funding will pay the wages of 500 additional youth to be placed in summer jobs in the City of New Bedford and the towns of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Marion, Wareham, Acushnet, Freetown, and Lakeville. Last year’s Youth Summer Jobs program provided for approximately 300 youth positions. With stimulus funds, the region is anticipating at least 800 youth hires this summer.

Summer Jobs for Youth

Greater New Bedford - The GNB Youth Council, a subcommittee of the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has just released a Request for Responses (RFR) for youth summer jobs.

Reach Out and Read-Massachusetts

Reach Out and Read-Massachusetts (ROR) will be hosting a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center on Tuesday, February 24 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners are encouraged to attend this new National Reach Out and Read Training Course presented by Marilyn Augustyn, MD, Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Boston University Medical Center.  A light dinner will be served courtesy of the Green Bean.

Weatherization Partnership Awarded $40K to Train Older Youth

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB), in partnership with the UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainability, the Greater New Bedford Career Center (GNBCC), and Bristol Community College’s Center for Business and Industry, received a collaborative award for just over $40,000 to implement the Southcoast Massachusetts Weatherization Technician Training Program (WTTP).

LiteracyWorks Cabinet Kicks Off FY ‘09

New Bedford – The LiteracyWorks Cabinet had an excellent showing of almost 30 Cabinet members and guests at its first meeting of the new fiscal year. Held at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford, the group discussed LiteracyWorks’ currently supported programming, challenges and successes of the past year, and strategies for the future of this ambitious program.

Adult Learning Center Open House for Family Literacy Day

New Bedford – The Adult Learning Center held its annual Open House and Family Literacy Day on Monday, November 3, 2008. The 2-hour event provided opportunities for the children of adult students and the general public to meet students and staff, tour the facility, and participate in family literacy activities. The date was chosen to coincide with the New Bedford Public Schools Professional Development Day for K-12 teachers in an effort to provide their children with the opportunity to visit their parents’ classrooms without missing school. Additionally, the Open House was a celebration of "Family Literacy Month" in Massachusetts. Governor Deval Patrick declared November “Family Literacy Month” in Massachusetts to recognize and celebrate the importance of education as a family endeavor and support efforts to expand family learning opportunities. The goal of activities such as the Open House and Family Literacy Day is to promote greater engagement by parents and community partnerships, and to celebrate lifelong learning and family wellbeing.

Fox Appointed to DESE Advisory Council

WALTHAM – GNB WIB Youth Council Director, Jean Fox, was recently appointed to serve on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Interdisciplinary Health Education and Human Services Advisory Council; one of 17 Advisory Councils established by the Education Reform Act of 1993. During her three-year term, Fox will share information on health education, psycho-social, and human services in the Greater New Bedford school districts.

Greater New Bedford & Bristol WIB Regions Team Up in Pursuit of Reentry Grant

Early-September of this year, Secretary Bump, of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, released a request for proposal (RFP) for the Ex-Offender Re-entry Partnership Initiative. The RFP was by invitation only, and the Greater New Bedford and Bristol WIB regions were invited to apply together, under one proposal. Three additional regions were invited to apply: Boston, Hampden, and Central Mass & Metro SouthWest (also as a team).

WIB Youth Council and Mayor’s Youth Council Join Forces

Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council will be participating in the November GNBWIB Youth Council (YC) meeting and sharing information on issues pertaining to youth in the area from their perspective. Pam Pollock approached WIB Youth Council Director, Jean Fox, last spring, urging the two councils to work in tandem with a renewed focus. Fox asked the youth group last summer if they would be willing to join the WIB’s YC meeting to conduct a “Youth Speaks” segment. A subcommittee met with Fox later and hammered out some ideas for the meeting.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board - WIB Moves Forward in Implementing Strategic Plan

Over this past month, the WIB has organized a working group that will establish critical benchmarks that the WIB hopes will be used as key indicators to measure the WIB’s success as it implements its newly developed strategic plan. As a logical “next step” from its development, the WIB now looks to implement the 12 key objectives from its plan.

Weatherization Partnership Awarded $40K to Train Older Youth

NEW BEDFORD - The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc., in partnership with the UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainability, the Greater New Bedford Career Center, and Bristol Community College’s Center for Business and Industry, received a collaborative award for just over $40,000 to implement the Southcoast Massachusetts Weatherization Technician Training Program (WTTP).

Adult Learning Center is hosting its annual Open House and Family Literacy Day on Monday, November 3, 2008

New Bedford - The Adult Learning Center is hosting its annual Open House and Family Literacy Day on Monday, November 3, 2008 from 9:45 am – 11:30 am.  The event will be held at 181 Hillman Street, Building #2, is open to the public and will provide opportunities to meet students and staff, tour the facility, and participate in family literacy activities.  A highlight of the event will be guest speaker, Michael Poitras, retired Chief of the Acushnet Police Department. Poitras will discuss “the role of police in the community.” 

Maria O. Pinarreta named co-Chairperson of the LiteracyWorks Cabinet.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board is pleased to announce that Maria O. Pinarreta, Vice President of Branch Administration at BankFive, has accepted  the position of co-Chairperson of the LiteracyWorks Cabinet.  Ms. Pinarreta will join current Chairperson Roy Nascimento, President of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, in this leadership role.  “I am pleased that Maria will be co-chairing the LiteracyWorks Cabinet with me, ” said Mr. Nascimento.  He went on to say, “Her professional experience and impressive background make her well respected across the SouthCoast.  I look forward to working with her on advocating for adult and family literacy in the New Bedford area.”

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board Help Inform Health Care Professionals About The Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative ( ECCLI)

At a recent meeting held at Alden Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, representatives from Commonwealth Corporation, the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation, and the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aides Services informed professionals from home health care agencies and long-term care facilities about how the Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative, or ECCLI, could aid their organizations.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board Recognized By Family Center at Annual Awards Banquet

FALL RIVER – At a festive, “luau”-themed awards ceremony held by the Family Center of New Bedford, the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board was presented with the Dr. E. Bradford Weaver Service Award in recognition of the WIB’s “outstanding commitment and contribution to the community, families, and children of the Family Center in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Annmarie Sawyer, Family Center Coordinator, presented the award to Jason Wentworth, LiteracyWorks Entrepreneur, who accepted on behalf of the WIB.

New Additions and Promotions at Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (“WIB”) is pleased to announce the following additions to our WIB Staff: Bridget Alexander as our new Director of Development, and Jason Wentworth as our new LiteracyWorks Entrepreneur.  Additionally, in a reorganization of the administrative office, Craig Baker has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and Jean Fox has been promoted to Youth Council Director.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board - Highlights Workforce Achievements at Annual Meeting

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) recently held its 2008 Annual Meeting at the Wamsutta Club.  Highlighted were accomplishments over the past year including overcoming the loss of a one-time, $200,000 state grant for Youth Summer Employment.  Mayor Lang, the Chief Elected Official of the workforce investment area, mobilized the community and state partners; and with the support of the WIB, New Directions, and many local partners, the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program is 22 opportunities over the 514 slots created last year.  Efforts will continue well into the summer to meet the Mayor’s vision of serving every youth that applies.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board Legislative Breakfast

NEW BEDFORD – The resounding themes at this year’s Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board Legislative Breakfast were worsening funding problems, increased need for workforce training and job placement, and the need to focus on connecting skills to job needs.  Mayor Scott Lang praised everyone and their efforts to improve things in New Bedford and encouraged “nonprofits, unions, citizens, and the Workforce Investment Board to work together as a team to train and place “as many individuals as possible with the limited available funds.”

Mayor Lang’s Summer Jobs Program Remains A Priority

Mayor Scott W. Lang, in partnership with the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) and New Directions Southcoast, Inc., is planning to kick-off a summer jobs campaign for New Bedford youth ages 14 and up. This effort will reach out to local business owners and the community as a whole in order to solicit both financial contributions and job pledges for the Summer of 2008. These jobs and donations will be used to put the City’s youth to work and thereby have an impact on the city and community as a whole. Last summer, this program was a great success and it is hoped that this upcoming summer will demonstrate even more success.

New Bedford - Career Center Success

Success stories are nothing new for the people who work at the Greater New Bedford Career Center (GNB CC). Working with clients that have difficulties is challenging at best. Lost job, family problems and the mental anguish people go through when they lose their jobs are just some of the problems the staff needs to pay attention to. Sometimes it takes a complete team effort to accomplish this goal.

Post For Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board Director of Operations Filled

The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) is pleased to announce the addition of Louise Pelletier to the WIB staff. Louise recently relocated to Rhode Island, having lived in Massachusetts for many years. Louise’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Education and a Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University. Her professional experience includes over 15 years in information systems operations management, adult training, and customer support.

Governor Patrick Announces $107,000 to Assist Dislocated Workers in South Coast

Funds will retrain former MultiLayer Coating workers for new jobs in the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing industries

BOSTON---Monday, January 14, 2008—Governor Deval Patrick today announced the designation of $107,000 in Rapid Response set-aside grant funds to the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board that will provide intensive training to 25 laid off workers from New Bedford based MultiLayer Coating Technologies, including enrollment of 10 employees in a bio-tech training program at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board - Reorganization Under Way

NEW BEDFORD - The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) recently held a luncheon at Candleworks in New Bedford to brief its committee chairs on the details of the WIB’s reorganization that was approved at the September ’07 quarterly board meeting. Following introductions, Chairman Charles R. Simpson, Jr. said he appreciated the commitment from each attendee and encouraged the group to lead others and embrace the changes. “This reorganization is necessary to better meet the needs of those we serve,” said Simpson.

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