Promoting the economic vitality of workers and employers in the Merrimack Valley

 
September 2015 
YouthWorks Logo
MVWIB commissioned Drexel University Professor Paul Harrington to complete a report entitled "Employment and School Activities in Lawrence".  It found that early work experience and high school completion are key ingredients to youth becoming self-sufficient adults.  Our 2015 Youth Summer Employment activities placed more than 235 Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen youth in jobs where they gained work experience, one of the two key ingredient for future success!
2015 Summer YouthWorks
Sixty-one area firms and non-profit organizations hired youth and provided them with supervision and mentoring.  Youth worked 25-30 hours per week for approximately 6 weeks, receiving a $9.00/hour wage.  We have had excellent reports back from participating employers and kids.


Apart from work, youth completed a Work Based Learning Plan - the tool used to set and measure attainment of work readiness goals. They attended 15 hours of "Signal Success" Career Readiness workshops to prepare for work. Topics included workplace safety; dependability /professionalism; effective work relationships; mock interviews; and financial literacy - approximately 200 participants opened their first bank account!

Many thanks to the Commonwealth Corporation for providing YouthWorks funding, and to the hardworking MVWIB and VWCC youth staff who worked on the program.  Lastly, a big shout-out to the YouthWorks kids who gained work experience, a paycheck, and skills essential for future success. 


Upcoming Events

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Ronald L Walker II and Mayor Dan Rivera
MVWIB / VWCC Tour
Tues. Sept. 15th, 10 a.m.
439 S. Union St., Ste 102, Lawrence, MA 
 
Lawrence Express Job Fair
Thurs. Sept. 25th, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
ValleyWorks Career Center
439 S. Union St., Ste 106,  Lawrence, MA
 
Networking for Professionals
Quarterly Evening Event
"How Executives use LinkedIn"
with Dan Cowher
Thurs. Oct. 1st,  5-7 p.m.
ValleyWorks Career Center
439 S. Union St., Ste 106, Lawrence, MA

MVWIB Youth Committee Meeting
Weds., Oct. 14th, 2015 11:30 a.m.
MVWIB Conference Room
439 S. Union St, Ste 102  Lawrence, MA 

MVWIB Planning Committee Meeting
Tues., Oct. 20th, 2015 8:00 a.m.
MVWIB Conference Room
439 S. Union St, Ste 102  Lawrence, MA 






On this NewsFlash: Welcome to the MVWIB's monthly NewsFlash! Our goal is to keep you up-to-date on MVWIB news through this quick and easy-to-read format. Give us your feedback!  

 

For more information contact Susan Almono at salmono@mvwib.org 

 
 Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board |  (978) 682-7099 | www.mvwib.org
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