MassMEP Wins Skills Training Provider of the Year Award
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or MassMEP, was awarded the 2010 Skills Trainer of the Year Award at the MA Jobs and Workforce Summit on June 22, 2010. Governor Deval Patrick and over 300 business, labor, education, and workforce leaders gathered to discuss employment and training strategies for the Commonwealth.
During the Summit, the Governor highlighted recent positive economic indicators and emphasized the importance of job training to a strong economic recovery in the Commonwealth.
"From job gains to improved business confidence and company expansion here in Massachusetts, we are on track to emerge from this recession stronger and faster than any other state in teh nation," said Governor Patrick. "Workforce training programs are an essential part of that recovery and that’s why it is so improtant to equip our workers with the skills they need to excel in this economy."
"We’re pleased to spotlight best practices for engaging employers through The First Annual Workforce Solutions Group Champions Awards," commented Alan Macdonald, Executive Director of the MA Business Roundtable, and a member of the Workforce Solutions Group Executive Team, "MassMEP isa model for innovative training partnerships throughout the state."
L-R: Worcester Mayor Joe O’Brien; Ted Bauer,
Leslie
Parady and Matt Healy from MassMEP; and
Ted Coghlin, Skyline
Technical Grant
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership collaborated with Skyline Technical Fund to devise and implement a comprehensive grant-funded training program, canvassing manufacturers’ needs and developing entry-level, focused, and advanced technology training for manufacturing employees and unemployed persons, resulting in a remarkable 71 percent hiring rate for program participants.
The Skyline Technical Fund, thanks to the cooperative synergy with MassMEP, has developed a sustainable combination of workforce training programs to fulfill manufactures’ employee and new worker needs to keep Massachusetts sustainable in this global economy.
Honorable mentions in the Skills Trainer category were awarded to Quinsigamond Community College and Best Corp.
The Workforce Solutions Group is a coalition led by Crittenton Women’s Union, the Massachusetts Communities Action NEtwork, the Massachusetts Workforce Professionals Association, MA Business Roundtable, the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, Massachusetts Workforce Board Association, Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and SkillWorks.
