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Recent Events
Association Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference held May 15-16, 2008 at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Annual Meeting Agenda PDF Workforce Leadership and Innovation: Strategies to Close the Skills Gap
Congressman John Tierney (r) is joined by Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, Noth Shore WIB Chair Bill Tinti (l) and Association Chair John Lipa
Mary Sarris, Executive Director of the North Shore WIB is presented with the Association Marble Apple Award for Workforce Ddevelopment Leadership by Bill Tinti (l) and John Lipa (r)
Association Holiday Meeting, December 17, 2007 at the Broad Institute, "The Life Sciences Engines: Economic and Workforce Development"
Chairman John Lipa introduces Dr. Eric Lander Speakers included, Dr. Eric Lander, founding director of the Broad Institute and one of the principal leaders of the Human Genome Project. Eric and colleagues are using these findings to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the basis of human disease. Secretary Suzanne Bump outlined Governor Patrick's Life Science Initiative, Dr. Dan Monti, Sociology Department, Boston University spoke on his study, Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Massachusetts Biotechnology Industry, Dr. Andy Sum, Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University spoke on the BioPharm Industry in Massachusetts (see Power Point below) and J. Lynn Griesemer, Ed.D., M.P.A, UMass Donahue Institute, discussed the Life Sciences Talent Initiative (see Power Point below) and updates were presented by the hosts, the Metro North Regional Employment Board.
Read Dr. Andy Sum's power point presentation Read Dr. Lynn Griesemer's power point presentation PPT Governor Patrick's Life Sciences Initiative Legislation Massachusetts Health Care Chartbook EOLWD/Commonwealth Corporation The Economic, Labor Market, and Fiscal Performance and Impacts of the Biopharmaceutical Industries of Massachusetts Center for Labor Market Studies Biotech gains clout in state's economy Study suggests growth has created jobs in other sectors Boston Globe, Todd Wallack, November 13, 2007 A Critical Alliance: The Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industries in Massachusetts UMass Donahue Institute Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Massachusetts Biotechnology Industry, Immigrant Learning Center & Boston University Boston Globe OPED, by Richard A. Dimino and Stephanie Pollack, November 8, 2007
Association Quarterly Meeting at Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus featured College President David Hartleb, House Labor and Workforce Chairman David Torrisi and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan
Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Chairman David Torrisi and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan present their priorities to WIBs across Massachusetts
Governor Patrick Attends the meeting of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board at the Skyline Technical Center in Worcester: Key Discussions Items Include High Performing WIBs and Reforms to the ABE/ESOL Workplace Based Education Efforts
Governor Patrick and Secretary Bump listen to presenters at MWIB Meeting
Chairman John Lipa addresses the MWIB on role Mass AFL-CIO President Bob Haynes makes point of private sector led workforce boards in about the need for new revenue to achieving a high performance workforce system finance workforce programs
Central Mass REB Chair Ted Coghlin provides a tour to Secretary Bump and members of the MWIB of the Skyline Technical Center, a state of the art voc-tech facility
Read about Skyline Technical HS High Performing WIB Criteria Approved by MWIB
Association Quarterly Meeting, Thursday September 20, 9:30 am at Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Campus
Northern Essex Community College President David Hartleb outlines major workforce development initiatives at the College while Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan, Labor and Workforce Chairman David Torrisi and John Lipa, WIB Association Chair look on
Nancy Snyder, President of Commonwealth Corporation and Jennifer James Price, Undersecretary of the Executive Office of Workforce Development were presenters at the Quarterly Meeting
Association Chair John Lipa listens to comments of House Chairman David Torrisi's comments to members of the Association
Association Annual Meeting and Workforce Leadership conference held at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge focused on Implementing a Change Agenda. Association Annual Meeting and Workforce Conference 2007- Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, May 17-18, 2007. Implementing a Change Agenda
Secretary Suzanne Bump shares a laugh with Chairman John Lipa and USDOL Administrator Grace Kilbane during presentation by Dr. Andrew Sum at Annual Meeting Read Dr. Sum's presentation on youth employment and performance measures...PPT Combating violence with jobs for youths, Boston Globe Op-ed by William Spring and Andy Sum Read op-ed
Secretary Suzanne Bump (l) and USDOL Regional Administrator, Grace Kilbane, (r) address attendees at Annual Meeting
Claire Davidson, tour guide and Norman Rockwell model, points out subtleties in Rockwell's painting "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas" from McCall's Magazine December 1967
Ellen Spear, John Lipa, Laurie Norton Moffit and Heather Boulger (l-r) participate in a presentation on the Berkshires Creative Economy in the Stockbridge Room of the Rockwell Museum with walls holding all Saturday Evening Post covers painted by Norman Rockwell
John Lipa, Association Chair presents "Marble Apple" award to Nancy Snyder if the Boston Private Industry Council for her workforce leadership
Association Quarterly Meeting focuses on workforce globalization and connecting workforce and economic development using Bristol-Myers Squibb as a case study
(l-r) John Lipa, Chair of the Association, Theresa Kane Ph.D., Chair of the North Central Mass. WIB, Robert Culver, President and CEO, MassDevelopment and Shiping Zheng, Chair of International Studies, Bentley College led presentations at the Quarterly Meeting, March 13, 2007 at Devens on the June decision by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), a $50 billion global pharmaceutical company, to select Devens as the location for a new $660 million bio-manufacturing facility that will eventually employ 550. They describes local and international efforts to respond to skilled worker competition from China, India, Ireland and Singapore as a result of workforce globalization, and its implications for regional workforce strategies in the state.
Some of the attendees from business, labor, education and workforce leaders from across Massachusetts
Bob Culver addresses audience question Dr. Zheng outlines globalization impacts
Governor Deval Patrick sworn in by Senate President Robert Travaglini, while his wife, Diane Patrick, holds bible given to John Quincy Adams by Amistad slaves who Adams had helped to free. "I know we can have more and better jobs, and a stronger economy. But we will need the best prepared workforce on the planet...Change is not always comfortable or convenient or welcome. But it what we hoped for, what we have worked for, what you voted for, and what you shall have." Excerpts from Inaugural Address January 4, 2007
The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association congratulates Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and looks forward to working with them and the new administration as they "make workforce development—meaning preparing people for opportunities—a central feature of the administration. I think it means that every sector is planned around workforce development, so, in other words, if you think about developing particular industries, what is the plan for assuring that those industries will have the people they need with the skills those people need in order for that industry to thrive? And so I think that means better coordination among the leaders of public education, including public higher education, around transitional assistance, and also the involvement of business. And we’ll have to be part of a conversation on how it is we plan for the skills we need. (Excerpt from comments of Governor-elect Patrick at SkillWorks/Workforce Solutions Group forum read more)
Even skilled workforce needs more skillsNovember 6, 2006 WHILE IT is encouraging to see the Commonwealth's skilled workforce noted as a competitive advantage ("Study: Mass.'s high costs erode workforce," Business, Oct. 30), an economic policy focused solely on keeping skilled workers here fails to address the breadth of our challenge. Certainly, controlling the escalating housing costs that chase skilled workers away is critical, but any effective strategy to maintain the workforce that drives our economy must also build the skills of the workers who are staying here. Even in our high-skill economy, one-third of our workforce lack the education and skills to get a job that pays a self-sufficiency wage. Investing in effective job training, adult education, and community college programs that are linked to industry and the jobs employers need to fill is essential to maintaining our advantage. Education Commissioner David Driscoll, as quoted in Scot Lehigh's Oct. 31 column "Candor on our school system," got it right when he said of secondary education, "It has to be completely overhauled. I think we almost have to start with a blank piece of paper." The same is true of the workforce system. The next governor should make this a cornerstone of his or her economic development policy. JOHN LIPA The writer chairs the Mass. Workforce Board Association.
Association Membership recognizes Senator Jack Hart at the Quarterly Meeting, December 12, 2006, held at the Venezia in Dorchester for his leadership on behalf of workers and employers in Massachusetts.
Chairman John Lipa is joined by Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC, in presenting award to Senator Jack Hart for his leadership in the enactment of the Economic Stimulus Bill/Workforce Solutions Act
L-R Emmanuel Allen, Boston PIC, John Lipa, Chair WIB Association, Michael O’Neil, Boston PIC Youth Council Chair, Senator Jack Hart, Marvin Moore and Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC
The agenda focused on Effective Strategies to Engage Youth in the Workforce System with a panel presentation moderated by Neil Sullivan, Executive Director, Boston PIC. Panelists included Loretta Dansereau, River East STC Local Partnership and Gary Larese, River West STC Local Partnership of Hampden County; Michael O’Neill, Chair, Boston PIC Youth Council and Emmanuel Allen and Marvin Moore, Dropout Recovery Specialists, Boston PIC.
Marvin Moore and Emmanuel Allen discussed their efforts to reach out to dropouts from the Boston Public Schools. Their work is based upon the report:
Too Big to Be Seen: The Invisible Dropout Crisis in Boston and America, a report from the Boston Youth Transitions Task Force, May 2006 PDF
Andrew Vizulis, CEO of Mindspark and Chair of the Metro South West REB, presents Association White Paper recommendations to Andy Sum, Director of the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies and Co Chair of the Patrick/Murray Workforce Development and Training Working Group White Paper: Keeping Our Commonwealth Competitive: A Workforce Prescription For The New Governor
Sal Pina, Executive Director of the Brockton Area WIB was presented with the Association Golden Apple Award by Chairman John Lipa for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Brockton Area. Sal will be leaving his post at the end of December.
Andrew Sum, Director of the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies and Co Chair of the Patrick/Murray Workforce Development and Training Working Group, heard from Association members their workforce recommendations for the new administration. Sal Pina, formerly of the Brockton Area WIB briefs Dr. Sum. Association Quarterly Meeting held Thursday, September 28, 2006 at the Acushnet Company Worldwide headquarters in Fairhaven, MA. New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang joins Association members and members of the Greater New Bedford WIB in recognizing the contributions to the workforce of Senator Mark Montigny.
Tony Sapienza, Association Vice Chair and President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Company presents award to Senator Mark Montigny USDOL Regional Administrator Grace Kilbane addresses members and prioritizes workforce-economic development linkages and services to youth. Read more...
US Department of Labor Regional Administrator Grace Kilbane address Association members while (l to r) Ron Rouillard, Acushnet Company, Senator Montigny, Mayor Scott Lang and Tony Sapienza look on.
Mayor Scott Lang and Senator Mark Montingy
Members of the Greater New Bedford WIB join Mayor Scott Lang and the Association in recognizing the leadership of Senator Mark Montigny
Association members at recent meeting at the Acushnet Company in Fairhaven
DWD Sponsored the Workforce Summit held September 25, 2006 in Westborough
DWD Director Jane Edmonds introduces Ted Hoff, Vice President, Learning, IBM
Chairman Dan Bosley addresses Summit participants joined by (l-r) Carmel Martin, US Senate HELP Committee General Counsel and Education Advisor to Senator Kennedy, Don Gillis, Mass Workforce Board Association and Neil Sullivan, Boston PIC
Setting the Table for Change Massachusetts Workforce Board Association 10th Annual Meeting and Workforce Leadership Conference May 18-19, 2006
Association Chairman John Lipa kicked off the Association Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting commenting on the theme of this annual event—“Setting the Table for Change”. Why that theme? As we all know from our personal and professional experience, we live in rapidly changing times. The economy is shifting; the requirements to compete globally and as Thomas L. Friedman wrote about in his book, The World Is Flat, these great changes taking place in our time, driven by lightning-swift advances in technology and communications put people all over the globe in touch as never before-creating an explosion of wealth in India and China, and challenging the rest of us to run even faster just to stay in place. During the past year our collective efforts have begun to reap read dividends. The Association is stronger because of each local workforce board and each partner. We are on the precipice of major new legislation, which will help foster increased investment in our workers and businesses but also greater efficiency and accountability in our complex state and federal workforce system. That is due to each of your efforts—along with our partners in the State legislature and across the state. As we look ahead to electing a new Governor in November—whether it be a republican, democrat or an independent—we need to engage the future leadership of this state in a dialogue about jobs, skills and the economy, if Massachusetts is to have a viable future. We are involved in organizing a forum on June 29th to understand where each candidate would take our State and learn their strategies for job creation and retention, adult education, and skills training. Register for forum. The most recent Boston Globe poll, found a majority of people who moved out of Massachusetts last year report that they are not coming back. Some 232,945 people moved out of the state between 2000 and 2005. The top reason people gave for leaving Massachusetts was a better job, followed by the cost of housing, family ties, and the weather. [We all understand the issue of the weather!] As workforce leaders—from business, labor, education, and government—we need to reevaluate how we are doing business—so we too can respond to these changes. We need to better connect education—workforce and economic development—through innovative partnerships—based upon getting results—not competition for scarce resources or resistance to change.
Association leadership heard from Dr. Kathy Schatzberg, President of Cape Cod Community College and the strategic partnership of education leaders in southeastern Massachusetts, Connect.
Cape Cod Community College President Dr. Kathy Schatzberg
Read A Vision for Gubernatorial Leadership Questionnaire...PDF Members began a process to design an effective workforce system for the Commonwealth based upon a strategic value driven approach for presentation to Legislators, the next State administration and the Workforce Accountability Task Force. A more detailed plan will be formulated in the coming months.
John Lipa, Association Chair, Peter Daboul, Bill Ward, Hampden REB Executive Director and Mike Niziolek, Chair Hampden REB and Senior VP Hasbro Games Hampden REB former Chair Peter Daboul was recognized for his contributions to workforce development and efforts to create a more unified and efficient workforce system in Western Massachusetts. Read about the the merger. Hampden County Workforce Agencies Complete Merger Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan announced the merger March 31, saying the employees of the city led consortium will be transferred to the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County and will no longer be city employees. The Regional Employment Board is a business-led, nonprofit corporation that serves as the primary policymaking authority in developing workforce skills in the county. Read more... Work in Process: Training Agencies Merge in Search of Greater Efficiency (BusinessWest April 17, 2006) Read article...
Critical Time for US Workforce System! David Bradley briefs Association members at Quarterly meeting in Northampton
David Bradley, CEO of the National Workforce Association (NWA)/USA Works David briefed members on federal budget status for workforce development including the Harkins-Specter amendment to restore significant funds to workforce development which was adopted.
The Franklin-Hampshire REB hosted the Association members March 15 Quarterly meeting at the Hotel Northampton. In her welcoming remarks, REB Chair Donna Jeanloz described Franklin Hampshire as the largest workforce region geographically, with less than 4% of the state’s population. The majority of employers in the region are small business owners; 80% have fewer than 20 employees. Manufacturing was once the largest source of employment in the Pioneer Valley, but now accounts for 11% of all employees. Currently employment is found primarily in Health Care, Social Service agencies, education, hospitality, and the arts. Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey and Franklin Hampshire REB Chair Donna Jeanloz
Christine Forgey, Mayor of Greenfield, spoke of her communities focus on economic development, and linking these efforts with the REB workforce development strategies. Greenfield hopes to attract new and expanding businesses to the area based upon the skills of the workforce. Michael Bardsley, Chair of the Northampton City Council welcomed the group on behalf of Mayor Mary Clare Higgins. He spoke about the changing character of the city from primarily a college town to a growing community in the arts, historic preservation and cultural development. Mayor Higgins key initiatives include re-development of an old hospital site to accommodate both housing and business operations, and developing a sustainability plan for the city through job development. The keynote speaker was David Bradley, CEO of National Workforce Association and USA/Works who is advocating on behalf of WIBs, One Stop Centers, and low-income Americans, meeting with members of Congress as they debate the Federal budget, WIA Re-authorization, and Federal policies concerning labor and workforce development.
The Members of the Association met on December 7, 2005 at the Worcester Country Club. Representative Michael Rodrigues co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, provided an update on the status of workforce development legislation now in the Conference Committee. (See Legislative Update) Alan Macdonald, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, provided the business community's perspective on health care costs.
and Mass Business Roundtable's Alan Macdonald The Association recognized Chairwoman Therese Murray, at the September 28, 2005 Quarterly Meeting held at the Plimoth Plantation, for her support of workforce development and WIBs in Massachusetts.
Chairwoman Murray shown receiving the award from Association Chair John Lipa, Maralin Manning, South Coastal WIB Vice Chair and Colleen Price former South Coastal WIB Executive Director. |
Citing the Bush Administration’s proposed cuts of $4.5B in Labor and Health & Human Services (HHS) appropriations, while proposing a $3.5 B increase in Foreign Aid, Bradley defined these misaligned priorities as a “disconnect between Federal and regional programs and needs.” The President’s budget eliminates 141 domestic programs, and cuts $701M from workforce system training funds. However Bradley said many members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, believe the cuts in HHS and Labor appropriations go too deep. A budget amendment introduced by Senators Arlen Specter and Tom Harkins, which would put $7B back into spending for HHS/Labor programs, was debated on the Senate floor and passed by a 73-27 vote, with half of Republican Senators supporting the amendment and subsequently adopted as part of the Budget Resolution. He suggested checking the NWA web site 
