STEM Initiatives Provide Jobs for Local Youths (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Plans are underway for a unique collaborative initiative as part of the STEM Pathways Grant. Through a combined effort of MassMEP, Junior Achievement, Worcester Community Action Council, and several area businesses, 12 youth will receive job skills training and a summer job. A few of the youths are also slated to continue on in their jobs this fall through Worcester Technical High School’s Cooperative Education Program.
MassMEP is providing CORE Manufacturing Skills Training from June 24 through July 2, 2009, 7:30am to 4pm at Worcester Vocational Technical. The CORE program trains people with little or no prior manufacturing experience in the basics of manufacturing operations in a fraction of the time of traditional programs. The training helps to position the participants for career ladders that allow long-term growth and higher earning potential. It also provides them with their Massachusetts Pre-Apprenticeship certificate.
Following the first two weeks of training, participants then attend a final week of training that begins with three days of Work Readiness Prep conducted by Junior Achievement. Pre-employment training concludes with OSHA 10 hour certification.
These STEM Pathways participants then move into six weeks of subsidized work opportunities at Worcester area companies from July 6 to August 21, 2009.Funding for job subsidization is being provided by YouthWorks and WIA. STEM Pathways is sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
