The MassHire North Central Career Center, Harvard Business School and Breakthrough Champion will partner to host the first annualMassHire North Central Hiring & Retention Workshop on April 9^ta at Devens Common Center.

 

Given the struggle that many organizations are facing to hire and retain talent in today’s tight labor market, The MassHire North Central Career Center decided to create a four hour workshop designed to help companies reach their retention goals. The half-day conference for businesses will feature two keynote speakers who combine the knowledge of a Harvard Business School professor along with a well-established expert on retention strategies to give focused expertise and solid research that can positively impact retention and hiring for local companies.

 

The $50 per-person fee includes a light lunch and information on related state & federal programs.  Registration is required by April 5^ta.  For more information, please contact Scott Percifull at 978-534-1481 x209;

 

Register through Constant Contact: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=huosel6ab&oeidk=a07eg37zpa971cd961d&condition=SO_OVERRIDE

OR Contact:
Name: Scott Percifull
MassHire North Central Career Center
100 Erdman Way, Leominster,, MA 01453
978-534-1481 X209

eMail:

FITCHBURG, Ma., Feb. 28, 2019 – Workers Credit Union has presented the Wendell P. Clark YMCA, which serves the greater Winchendon area, a donation of $5,000 towards its Promise for Tomorrow Capital Campaign. The YMCA’s capital campaign is raising funds to build a new youth and community building that will house a state-of-the art-gymnastics facility as well as after-school programs and a community room.

Workers Credit Union executives and staff presented the check on Wednesday, Feb. 6 and toured the YMCA’s current facilities. The donation is a part of the credit union’s community relations fund.

“The Winchendon-area YMCA has a rich history and is a vital community asset,” said Doug Petersen, president and CEO of Workers Credit Union. “We are pleased to be able to contribute these funds to help the YMCA further its mission, programs and services.”

The Wendell P. Clark YMCA has undertaken a two-phase construction project to improve, expand and renovate its existing building. Phase two includes the new youth and community building and gym that will offer expanded programs to students from kindergarten through 12th grade as well as provide resources and opportunities for families who rely on the Y. The new building is planned to be nearly 14,000 square feet and includes the gym, program rooms and multi-purpose areas. The new space will allow the YMCA to double its capacity for students in the before and after school programs, vital to working families. It also allows the Y to expand its gymnastics program and offer a safe and supportive environment for this underserved population in which to learn and grow.

“We are grateful for the support of Workers Credit Union and its belief in the mission of the Clark YMCA,” stated Michael Quinn, executive director of the Clark YMCA. “It gives us great pride to provide quality programs and services to the community and to make these programs accessible to all families regardless of their financial means. This is made possible only through the many generous volunteers and contributors such as Workers Credit Union, who make the Clark YMCA everything it is to so many.” 

The Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA is a nonprofit community service organization made possible because of charitable donations, member support, and dedicated employees and volunteers. The Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA is devoted to the education, physical health, mental wellbeing, and the moral development of children, families, and their community. It seeks to be a welcoming center serving individuals of any age, race, religion, heritage, economic circumstance, or physical ability. The Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA strives to incorporate the core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility into everything they do.

Workers Credit Union, home of the $3 million GiveBack program, is headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. With assets of $1.7 billion, the credit union serves over 102,000 members from 15 offices in Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend, Westford and Workers Online at www.workerscu.com. 

BOSTON – Mount Wachusett Community College Employee and Alumnus Lawrence NFOR was honored recently at the Black Excellence on the Hill ceremony.

“It is an honor to recognize Leominster’s Lawrence NFOR with the Black Excellence on the Hill Award. Lawrence gives back to his community in so many ways, through his work at MWCC, his service as a Leominster Library Trustee, and an Ambassador to the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and inspires us all with his positivity and passion for the region,” said State Representative Natalie Higgins of NFOR who she nominated for the recognition.

The ceremony took place at the Massachusetts State House on Monday February 4. The goal of the awards are to celebrate Black History month and the leaders with the state’s communities that make them thrive. As such, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) presented its unique citation to leaders for their work in civic engagement, education, business, and other fields.

“Lawrence is a valued member of not only our college community, but the city of Leominster and the multiple organizations he gives his time to,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “I am happy to see him recognized for all of his hard work and community service. He is an example to all of us.”

Lawrence NFOR was born in Ndu, a small town in Cameroon, West Africa. He moved to Leominster with his family in 2009 after receiving a Visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program.

Having already studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Buea, NFOR earned his Associates Degree from MWCC, Bachelor’s Degree from UMass Amherst, and his MBA in Accounting from Fitchburg State University. NFOR went on to build his career serving in the business office at MWCC and currently serves as the Business Manager for the college’s Access and Transition Office.

NFOR is actively involved in the Leominster community and strives to make the region a better place to work and live. He serves as a Leominster Public Library Trustee. He is an ambassador for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as their Ambassador of the Year for 2017 to 2018. He also serves as the president of the New England Community of Cameroon Immigrants organization and is actively involved in his church, the First Baptist Church in Westminster. He and his wife Elizabeth, a dental hygienist (also an MWCC graduate) have four children.

DEVENS – Ten students received Certified Nurses Assistant certificates from Mount Wachusett Community College at a graduation last week for a free program that pairs the certificate with continued English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

“This is a group who is focused and committed and who are going to do great things,” said MWCC President Vander Hooven at the graduation. “You are going to be helping people in need and you are going to be working with them in ways that make them feel better… I’m very proud of you and it’s a pleasure for me to be here.”

The students from Clinton, Fitchburg and Leominster were surrounded by family and friends as they received their certificates on Wednesday, February 15 at the college’s Devens campus. This was the first group of students to complete the newly launched program. The student speakers – Jaqueline Conte, Katia Ferrari and Sarai Marcial-Rodriguez – explained the program has helped them move toward their dreams of helping people.

“We have traveled together sharing the same dream,” said Conte. “We’ve had to face many difficulties, but knowing that in the end I will be helping other people will make it all worthwhile.”

Students in the program not only put in the hours for CNA training, but also took ESOL classes two nights a week. Students said the work was tough, but worth it. The next step for students will be to take their state exam and then they will be able to work out in the community.

Everyone was a great student, said MWCC’s Associate Director of Adult Education and Training at Devens Kijah Gordan, and now they will be able to make an impact as they give back through their work.

“You being a part of our college makes it a better place. You working in the community will make it a better place, because you’re all amazing,” said Gordon at the ceremony.

This new program is operated at MWCC’s Devens campus by the MWCC Adult Education and Training Department in partnership with the College Workforce Development Office. It offers English language instruction that has been contextualized to the healthcare field in conjunction with training to prepare students for the Massachusetts Certified Nursing Assistant Exam.

MWCC received the Integrated English Language and Civics Education grant that funds the program from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2018. All student costs for the program are covered by the grant and matching funds from MWCC, including all the supplies and textbooks, making it free for the students. The clinical portion of the program was conducted at Life Care Center of Leominster.

Grant funds will cover 20 students a year through 2020. While many students were referred from other English language programs, interested students may also inquire directly with MWCC’s Adult Education and Training at Devens by calling 978-630-9363.