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June 2026
Workforce Pulse: Summer Opportunities
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"Senior Scoop" Helps Recent Grads Explore Post-HS Opportunities
On Wednesday, May 13, the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development hosted the 4th Annual Senior Scoop at Polar Park. A highlight of the region's School-to-Work Connecting Activities programming, Senior Scoop connects regional businesses and graduating seniors from school districts across Central MA and beyond. Participants network, attend job search seminars, and explore and discuss post-graduation opportunities.
More than 350 high school seniors from 18 school districts engaged with over 50 regional 55 businesses, organizations, and training programs representing priority industries such as healthcare, banking, manufacturing, transportation, skilled trades, hospitality, public service, and higher education.
Navigating the crowded Polar Park mezzanine, students discovered immediate job openings, learned about free/low-cost certifications, explored career pathways, and in many cases started the hiring process on-site.
The initiative is supported by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), BV Hub’s Partnered School Program, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Worcester Public Schools.
Special thank you to Presenting Sponsor UniBank, which exemplifies a regional workforce partnership that creates meaningful career pathways for young adults poised to enter the workforce: UniBank's Teller Training Program offers recent HS graduates entry-level access to careers in banking and financial services. Event support provided by MassMEP and in-kind donations from Polar Park.
| | On June 9 at the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development, more than 50 Educators, Administrators, employers, and workforce development professionals gathered to discuss emerging trends and topics in youth employment and School-to-Career Connecting Activities in Central MA. MA DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez kicked off the Convening with brief remarks followed by a Fireside Chat hosted by Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Attendees chose a breakout session: Enhancing Students' Preparation for Work-Based Learning, Building Strong Employer Partnerships, or Connecting Career Readiness to MassCore & Classroom Learning. Special thanks to breakfast sponsor All One Credit Union. | | MassHire programs and services are funded in part by U.S. Dept of Labor (US DOL) Employment and Training Administration grants and non-federal funded grants (details upon request). | | | | |