Michael O'Neill Selected as the PIC's Next Executive Director

At the end of September, we announced that Michael O'Neill had been selected as the next executive director of the Boston Private Industry Council, effective Monday, January 5. 

The PIC Board of Directors approved O’Neill as the organization’s next executive director as recommended by a search and selection committee comprised of PIC Board members and city officials, supported by the executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller. O’Neill will succeed Neil Sullivan, a longtime leader in workforce development and youth employment, who has served as executive director of the PIC for more than three decades.

Michael, a proud BPS graduate, brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the position. In addition to his tenure on the school committee, he has served as the chair of our WIOA Youth Council for many years. He is well respected in the business community, having worked for prominent financial service firms while actively participating in civic affairs.

News

Celebrating Summer 2025 Jobs & Internships

For Boston Public Schools students across the city, Summer 2025 was full of meaningful employment and career exploration. This marked the second summer of Mayor Wu's pledge to guarantee a job to any eligible BPS student who wanted one. Private sector companies and community-based organizations alike answered her call, opening their doors to provide paid early-work experiences. 

Q&A with MassHire Downtown Boston’s VP of Career Services 

Kevin Parham, the Vice President of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, sat down with the PIC to discuss recent labor market trends, the long legacy of JVS Boston as a career center operator, and the center’s many resources for jobseekers in the city.

REC Door Knocking

In the beginning of September, a record 60+ volunteers—including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper—joined the Re-Engagement Center to welcome students back to school. The volunteers spoke with students and families who were chronically absent or stopped attending school, offering resources and support for the new school year.  

Tech Apprentice Spotlighted in JFF's Updated Work-Based Learning Framework

The Boston Private Industry Council's Tech Apprentice internship program has been spotlighted in Jobs for the Future (JFF)'s new Work-Based Learning Framework! Since its inception over 18 years ago, Tech Apprentice has successfully placed over 1,700 students in paid summer internships in the technology sector. The PIC thanks JPMorgan Chase for its support of the Tech Apprentice initiative. 

JFF's updated framework provides a blueprint for connecting education with real-world experiences. We are proud to be highlighted among other programs for exemplifying these principles in action. 

In Case You Missed It...

MassHire ABCD Career Center Grand Opening

In June, the MassHire Boston ABCD Career Center officially opened their doors at a grand opening ceremony. City officials, community leaders, and local partners gathered to celebrate the addition of a comprehensive career center in the heart of Nubian Square. Remarks were shared by Mayor Michelle Wu, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, and ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler, who emphasized the resources and opportunities the new career center will provide for community members.

New Working Group Brings Together Clean Energy Employers

Massachusetts’ clean energy sector is set to grow 34% by 2030, which makes investing in the next generation of workers critical. Thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the PIC’s new Clean Energy Working Group strives to build a talent pipeline through early-career experiences. 

This summer, working group participants National Grid and Eversource Energy opened their doors to student interns. Through hands-on work, site visits, and capstone projects, interns developed real-world skills and took a step towards a career in the energy industry. 

Critical Skills & Essential Services: PIC Interns at CBOs

This past summer, PIC interns provided essential services and developed critical professional skills at 70+ community-based organizations across the city. Students worked in organizations with diverse missions across a wide range of roles. 

For programs like Ceeds4Change and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) Mattahunt, students provided hands-on assistance working with younger children. At other sites, interns developed technical skills that they will carry into their career—for example, at Timothy Smith Network’s Boston Design Academy, students explored coding and 3D modeling.

Boston Private Industry Council

617-488-1300 | bostonpic.org | info@bostonpic.org