The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development affiliate the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation hosted a special manufacturing bus tour on Tuesday, April 26th for education and community leaders as part of their efforts to promote careers in manufacturing and highlight the importance of manufacturing to North Central Massachusetts.

Attendees on the tour, which also included legislators, economic development officials and members of the media, visited several manufacturing companies where they were able to get an insider’s look at how select manufacturers operate as well as learn about the growing employment opportunities in manufacturing and the necessary skill-sets needed.

The manufacturing bus tour, part of the Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative, included stops at Rocheleau Tool & Die, a family owned and operated business established in 1938 in Fitchburg that specializes in the manufacture of extrusion blow molding machinery, blow molds and related automation equipment; Burkhart-Phelan, Inc., a company founded in 1982 that specializes in the precision manufacturing of high quality flutes and piccolos; Nypro, a world-class leader in manufacturing precision plastic products for customers in the healthcare, packaging and consumer electronics industries; and Mount Wachusett Community College’s Devens Manufacturing Center which offers technical training in a number of different areas including advanced manufacturing with an emphasis on automation and robotics and quality. The tour also included a lunch presentation and discussion by Shailah Stewart of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on ways that schools and communities can collaborate with employers.

North Central Massachusetts boasts the largest concentration of manufacturing in the state. Fully one-third of all private wages paid in the region are from manufacturing jobs. Companies range from the world class plastics industry cluster of more than 140 companies to pharmaceuticals to photonics and paper, as well as biomedical devices.

Manufacturers today are some of the most well-paid, highly trained and in demand employees in the workforce, working on advanced equipment and technology. However, many manufacturers have been challenged recruiting the workers they need. Despite the high wage potential and increasing employer demand, there is both a need for more young workers and a skills gap among an existing and a transitioning workforce.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation remain com
mitted to supporting and growing this critical sector of the region’s economy. The organizations are working with partners to address this skills gap, retain the region’s young talent, and introduce them to the high-tech, high-skilled, and high-paying careers of the modern manufacturing industry. The Chamber believes that building successful education partnerships between businesses and the region’s schools is critical to collective, on-going efforts.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank and acknowledge the support and assistance of the following partners who helped make the event possible: MassDevelopment; North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board; Rocheleau Tool & Die; Burkart-Phelan, Inc.; Nypro, A Jabil Company; Mount Wachusett Community College; Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and Fitchburg Access Television (FATV).

The purpose of the “AMP it up!” initiative is to leverage new and existing resources to continue ongoing efforts to reach career counselors, community organizations, youth-serving organizations, educators, and most importantly students throughout North Central Massachusetts. The Chamber’s “Amp It Up!” initiative is funded in part through a matching grant from MassDevelopment. Other partners include Fitchburg State University, Mt. Wachusett Community College and school systems throughout the region. Ongoing efforts to promote manufacturing careers have also included engaging the schools and offering career exploration activities to students, hosting student tours, participating in career day activities and promoting manufacturing via a targeted social media campaign.

For more information on the manufacturing bus tour or the “Amp It Up!” Initiative, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600.

(North Central, MA) – The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Jeff Ardis to its professional staff as Membership Services & Business Development Manager.

In this position, Mr. Ardis will be responsible for managing the Chamber’s membership services.  His mission will be to raise the Chamber’s visibility and educate businesses in the region about the Chamber’s service offerings, promoting the benefits of membership and ensuring that current members enjoy maximum value for their investment.

“We are excited to have Jeff join our team and help lead our member relations efforts,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO. “His experience will be a tremendous resource for our members and a great help in our work to advance the North Central Massachusetts economy.”

Ardis brings to the Chamber a broad background in sales, marketing, and business development from his time with the LEGO Company, the government trade agencies of Australia and Northern Ireland, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and most recently the global logistics firm DHL Express. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from American University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Georgia State University.

His early goals will be to continue the success of the October campaign that welcomed more than 100 new members; build relationships with key players in the business community and local government; and find the best ways to help members grow their businesses through the Chamber’s resources. He will also help coordinate the Chamber’s insurance services.

Existing members or businesses interested in learning more about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce can reach Ardis at (978) 353-7600 ext. 234 or via email at .

WHEN: Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

WHAT: The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation will be coordinating a tour of local manufacturers. The tour is aimed at connecting school superintendents and educators with advanced manufacturing as part of the Chamber’s effort to break down stigmas of careers in manufacturing. The goal of the tour will be to promote careers in manufacturing and provide insight for those leading educational programs and advising students on career decisions.

WHERE: Bus departs Chamber of Commerce, 860 South Street, Fitchburg, MA, 01420 at 8:00 AM.

Rocheleau Tool & Die, 117 Industrial Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 at 8:30 AM

Burkhart-Phelan, Inc., 2 Shaker Road, Shirley, MA, 01464, at 10:00 AM

NYPRO, 112 Barnum Rd. Devens, MA 01434 at 11:15 AM

Mount Wachusett Community College, Devens Manufacturing Center, 1 Jackson Road, Devens, MA, 12:30 AM

WHO: Superintendents of Schools in North Central Massachusetts; Legislative Delegation of North Central Massachusetts; Economic Development and Business Leaders; Chamber of Commerce staff

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the next edition of the “CEO Unplugged” series will feature Lillian Burkart, president of Burkart-Phelan, Inc on March 30, 2016. HYPE! (Helping Young Professional Emerge) was introduced in 2012 to support the growing young professionals’ community by connecting members socially and through personal and professional development programs, with the CEO Unplugged introduced in 2015.

The CEO Unplugged series gives young professionals access to local leaders for a chance to connect and learn about their journey to success. Attendees will have a chance to meet with a local CEO in their workplace to discuss professional development such as leadership values, entrepreneurship, investment in community and career paths. The program will run from 7:30 am to 9 am bi-monthly. Attendance is open to any young professionals within the Chamber membership. But, seats will be limited to no more than 20 people. The program is free, but pre-registration is required.

Burkart-Phelan, Inc. is a world renowned flute and piccolo manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience. Each instrument is handcrafted and available in 35 countries and 6 continents.  Lillian Burkart, president of the company, will discuss her niche brand as well as provide a tour of the workshop.

For more information or to register, please contact the Chamber at 978-353-7600 ext. 235 or visit www.northcentralmass.com.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently adopted a policy position statement on high speed internet infrastructure. The position statement calls for greater investments in high speed internet and cooperation between service providers, the business community, and government in order to bring North Central Massachusetts’ broadband infrastructure to be on par with the rest of the state.

“In this information age, this is a vital and basic resource for businesses and schools,” said Doug Peterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “Anything less than the highest available speed is putting us at a serious disadvantage.”

“The current internet capacity in our part of the state would not be acceptable in Metro West and Greater Boston area,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “In order for our children and future generations to have a competitive edge, we need to take a serious approach at bridging this gap.”

Many parts of North Central Massachusetts including major urban areas and major industrial and commercial spaces are lacking cable infrastructure that provides access to high speed internet.

The position statement calls for cable and broadband infrastructure to be deemed a critical infrastructure, allowing upgrades to be subsidized by state infrastructure dollars and economic development grants. The statement also calls for loosening of roadblocks or other barriers to competition so that companies can more easily provide service to communities with sub-par internet capacity. Current market models for internet service providers limit customer choice; the Chamber’s statement hopes that greater competition in the market would drive better access to underserved areas.

Wireline availability in Massachusetts varies depending on internet service provider and available pole and underground infrastructure. Costs for improving infrastructure typically require investments from service providers and communities depending on cost of construction or improvements.

For more information on policy position statements visit the Chamber’s website, www.northcentralmass.com or contact Patrick Lawlor, public affairs manager at (978) 353-7600 ext. 224.