WIB Partners with Durfee for Job and Opportunity Fair: The Bristol Workforce Investment Board recently partnered with B.M.C. Durfee High School to sponsor a Job & Opportunity Fair. Held on April 12th at Durfee, the event was designed to provide training and employment opportunities for Durfee seniors who had not finalized post graduation plans. The fair featured 40 employers and training providers who are currently seeking candidates for upcoming opportunities.

“This event was a wonderful opportunity for area employers to recruit new high school graduates to meet their staffing needs,” said Patricia Auerbach, WIB Executive Director. “It also helped expose our seniors to a multitude of training opportunities that are available after high school, that lead to well-paying jobs and opportunity for advancement,” she added.

Companies participating included: ABLE Associates, A.J. Wright Distribution Center, Blount Seafood, Citizens-Union Savings Bank, Coast to Coast Medical, Fall River Police Dept., Gold Medal Bakery, Institute for Developmental Disabilities, Lifestream, Lightolier, OnProcess Technology, People Inc, Redcats USA, Saint Anne’s Hospital, Sears, Slades Bank, Starwood, Travelers, and Verizon.

Training providers exhibiting included: American Red Cross, Bay State School of Technology, BCC, Gibbs College, International Institute of Culinary Arts, LaBaron Academy, MotoRing Technical Training Institute, New England Institute of Technology, Salter School, SER-Jobs for Progress & Southcoast Insurance Agents, SE Technical Institute, Sullivan & Cogliano, and UMass Dartmouth.

“The Job and Opportunity Fair is one of the many exciting collaborations currently under way with the Bristol WIB, to prepare our future workforce here at Durfee High School,” said Ralph Olsen, Principal. “School to career initiatives like these are invaluable to our youth in exposing them to the world of work and the wide array of opportunities that await them,” he said.

Bristol WIB Pursues MEPB Grant: The Bristol WIB recently partnered with the City of Fall River and other community partners to submit a Multiple Education Pathways Blueprint (MEPB) grant application to the U.S. Department of Labor.

If funded, The Fall River MEPB stakeholders group, to be known as the Fall River Youth Workforce Partners, will develop a comprehensive blueprint that includes and integrates workforce and economic development strategies into the school district’s strategic plan.

The Partners are committed to addressing strategic priorities, which include alignment of resources, development of a continuum of services for at-risk youth, and connections to demand-driven industries.

In addition to the WIB and City of Fall River, partners include Fall River Public Schools, Fall River Office of Economic Development, Bristol Community College, the Fall River Career Center, Department of Youth Services, Department of Social Services, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, SER Jobs for Progress, Fall River Community Development Agency, Old Colony YMCA, YouthBuild, and Citizens-Union Savings Bank

Job Seekers/Employers Praise Career Centers of Bristol County: Congressman James McGovern recently visited the Fall River Career Center to learn about the services provided to both area job seekers and employers.

During the visit, individuals and employers utilizing Career Center services had very positive comments to offer. Several were quoted in the Fall River Herald News.

“You can ask anyone anything in this office and they’ll help you,” said job seeker Jeffrey Lake, who plans to get his commercial driver’s license.

Richard Lunetta, VP of Human Resources for OnProcess Technology noted, “Everyone in our building came through this [Career Center] building. We use this organization for all our staffing needs.”

Adriana Gutierrez Kreisen, senior human resource manager for Stop & Shop, said she sees the Fall River Career Center as an “extension of our recruiting center.”

Hire a Teen Campaign Successful: The 2007 Hire a Teen, Brighten the Future Youth Job Campaign has proven to be successful in matching enthusiastic youth to job openings provided by employers.

Through the annual spring “job-a-thon”, employers pledged approximately 140 work opportunities for area youth. In addition, a number of area employers also pledged financial donations to help fund additional job opportunities in community service.

All youth participating in the “Hire a Teen” initiative will receive various levels of work readiness preparation to ensure that they are work-ready at the time they interview with an employer. Also, youth will be connected to a career specialist to coach them in their new work experience, as appropriate.

This campaign helps to inform employers of the year round resources available to help meet their staffing and workforce development needs. It also provides employers with an opportunity to identify future employees and help shape the region’s workforce. In addition, this campaign benefits the youth of our region by providing meaningful work experiences to gain valuable and marketable skills, such as communication, work ethic, teamwork and leadership.

For more information on the Hire a Teen, Brighten the Future Youth Job Campaign contact the Bristol WIB at (508) 675-1165.

Workforce Training Fund at Work: Congratulations to Round 25 MA Workforce Training Fund (WTF) recipients: Checon Corporation, North Attleboro ($109,990); Innovative Spinal Technology, Mansfield ($62,350); Slade’s Ferry Trust, Fall River ($112,510); Vanguard Managed Solutions, Mansfield ($63,580) and Bank of Fall River, Fall River ($48,345)

Together, these organizations will be upgrading the skills of over 365 employees in the region, in a host of different training areas.

The MA Workforce Training Fund (WTF) provides grants to help businesses and labor organizations train workers, enhancing their existing skills and introduce them to new technologies, production methods, and customer satisfaction tools.

The Workforce Training Fund offers both a General (more than $50,000) and Express (50 employees or less) program. If you have any questions regarding the Workforce Training Fund and/or have interest in applying for a grant please feel free to contact WIB staff at (508) 675-1165.