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Connecting Activities Convening
Everyone is buzzing at the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development (BV Hub) as we prepare our own Hebert Hall in Whitinsville to welcome over 70 guests, including educators, counselors, administrators, and workforce partners from across Massachusetts for a regional Connecting Activities Convening on Tuesday, June 9. This event is designed to to provide a space for connection, collaboration, and shared ideas focused on supporting career readiness and student success in
4 days ago2 min read
Sutton Middle School Hosts Final of 4 Career Speaker Days!
Today I was privileged to visit Sutton Middle School and attend their final Career Speaker Day for this school year. Middle school teacher, Vanessa Haerle did the bulk of the outreach to coordinate this event with support from her amazing colleagues. Today was the 4th of four Career Speaker Days with previous events happening in October, January, and March. The event impacted over 200 7th and 8th grade students at Sutton, with previous session integrating high schoolers as we
May 222 min read
Senior Scoop 2026 Hits a Home Run at Polar Park
On Wednesday, May 13, the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development proudly hosted the 4th Annual Senior Scoop at Polar Park, bringing together more than 350 graduating seniors from 18 school districts across Central Massachusetts and beyond for a day focused on career exploration, workforce connections, and post-graduation opportunity. Designed specifically for high school seniors who may not yet have a defined post-secondary plan, Senior Scoop creates direct connectio
May 192 min read
Uxbridge High School 2026 Spring Internship Fair
On Thursday, May 7th, Uxbridge High School hosted another successful Spring Internship Fair. Nearly 200 juniors and seniors displayed tables highlighting internship work and independent project-led work. Our BV Hub staff was honored to be invited to this event along with several notable industry guests such as ImBlaze, Big Picture Learning, and Massachusetts State Representative, Michael J. Soter. As always the "Spartans" spoke confidently and sounded eager to pursue next st
May 112 min read
A Showy 2026 Bartlett Student Showcase
Spring is an exciting time for our staff at the Blackstone Valley Hub as we get the opportunity to attend many student showcases. On Friday, May 1, we visited Bartlett High School in Webster, MA. 237 students displayed 89 booths demonstrating weeks of hard work with internships, Innovation Career Pathways and Project Lead The Way (guided by our own Board Member, Suzie Snow). With my background in marketing, I had the privilege of "judging" 4 projects, one centered around mark
May 52 min read
Governing from the Minority
A conversation with Massachusetts State Senator Ryan Fattman on lawmaking, leadership, and life behind the headlines. People may picture a state senator debating on the floor, making big speeches, or constantly shaping major laws from behind a desk. But is that really what the job looks like day to day? How much of the work actually happens outside the spotlight? And what does it take to balance the needs of thousands of constituents with limited time and resources? In my
Apr 209 min read
BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series April
Our monthly BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series returns on Wednesday, April 29 at 9AM after an engaging visit to Milford High School in March. Of our entrepreneurship speakers, Milford High faculty, Brian Edwards shared, "Both presenters were phenomenal and the students really enjoyed the session." To recap, fifteen students from Milford High's Entrepreneurship class were in attendance last month and each sent letters of appreciation to the speakers. Thank you again to the Milford
Apr 163 min read
Mike Rubin: Leading Uxbridge High from the Inside
How Uxbridge Principal, Dr. Mike Rubin, navigates unpredictability, builds trust, and redefines what leadership looks like in a school. Dr. Mike Rubin serves as principal of Uxbridge High School. Dr. Mike Rubin did not set out to become a principal. In fact, when he first entered education, leadership was not even on his radar. He began as an English teacher: fully immersed in the classroom, coaching and advising students, and building relationships that made teaching meani
Apr 18 min read
Karen Crebase: Inside the Superintendent's Office
How Superintendent Karen Crebase Uses Relationships, Strategy, and Community Voice to Guide a School District Hopedale Public Schools Karen Crebase did not begin her career with the explicit goal of becoming a superintendent, but leadership in education was always part of her vision. Now serving as superintendent and a member of the Blackstone Valley Hub board, Crebase has built an impressive career defined by connection, community engagement, and a deep commitment to studen
Apr 17 min read
Caitlin Paget: Why Transparency Matters in School Leadership
Sutton’s Superintendent, Caitlin Paget, on leadership, public accountability, and the reality of guiding a school district. To many people, a school superintendent’s role remains largely out of view. It can look like a job spent behind a desk, reviewing reports and attending meetings while the real action takes place in classrooms. The reality is that the role is far more public, demanding, and visible than many may realize. For Sutton Superintendent Caitlin Paget, transpar
Apr 19 min read
Mentors, Coaches, & Role Models, Oh My!
As we prepare for this week's Executive Track meeting, current events spanning from the Olympics and Superbowl to the Oscars are reminding me about our last meeting topic: "What Makes a Good Mentor?" At this session, seven students spanning from five different school districts including, Sutton, Nipmuc, Millbury, Douglas, and Milford Public Schools were in attendance. After a guided presentation by our own Executive Director, Ashley Bregman, the students were joined by seven
Mar 162 min read
Jeannie Hebert: The Power of Connection
How Jeannie Hebert, Chair of the Blackstone Valley Hub Board, built a career through relationships, community engagement, and the networks that shape opportunity. The Blackstone Valley Hub and Chamber of Commerce offices. Few careers follow a perfectly straight line, and Jeannie Hebert’s journey is a clear example of how relationships, curiosity, and a willingness to step into new spaces can shape a professional life. Today, Hebert serves on the board of the Blackstone Va
Mar 117 min read
Eric Eisner: Building a Career in Public Service and Communication
Sitting down with Eric Eisner to learn more about his journey as Chief of Staff for Representative Soter and the Director of Communications for the Worcester's Country Sheriff’s Office. Eric Eisner’s career path is a reminder that the most meaningful professional journeys are rarely linear. Currently serving as the Director of Communications for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and a member of the Blackstone Valley Hub board, Eisner has built a career that blends pub
Mar 97 min read
BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series March
On March 12 at 10 am, our BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series will be hosted at our Partnered School, Milford High School, with a focus on Entrepreneurship. An additional 11 school districts in Central Massachusetts will have the opportunity to participate in this hybrid session via zoom. According to the visionary Australian-American author, Peter Drucker, "The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Our upcoming career speakers have created what we'd describe as impactful
Feb 263 min read
Grafton Job Corps Protected, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Passed!
The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is glad to hear on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, th e House passed and the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 . Within this law is funding to continue Job Corps operations through at least June 2027, accompanied by new legal restrictions on Job Corp campus closures. Job Corps offers thousands of students across our country the opportunity to attain credentials leading toward self-sufficien
Feb 131 min read
YouthWorks Worksite Visit Highlights: Students Shine at Sneaker Sapphire
Our YouthWorks staff had the opportunity to visit Sneaker Sapphire , a local retail business, to observe Worcester Innovation Career Pathways Business & Marketing students as they gained hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. The visit offered a firsthand look at how students are applying classroom knowledge to meaningful workplace responsibilities while building confidence and professional skills. Sneaker Sapphire, owned and operated by local entrepreneur Jad
Feb 122 min read
Bioprocessing & Biomedical Engineering Pathway Passions Unlocked at Uxbridge High
Today our monthly BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series was held at the library of Uxbridge High School. Between both students and administrators, this session impacted over 100 people who participated either in-person or remotely. Appropriate for February, both speakers came into this conversation with open hearts and left students with a strong sense of the passion one can find in their profession. Based on a suggestion from Dave Moura, Dean of Students and Internship Coordinator at
Feb 122 min read
The Work Behind the Policies that Shape Schools
An informational interview with Assistant Director Bob LePage of the Executive Office of Education examining how education policy takes shape and the behind-the-scenes negotiations that influence decisions across Massachusetts.
Feb 117 min read
Strong Start for New AT Manufacturing Students as Welding TrainingBegins
The newest Advanced Training Manufacturing students are off to a strong start, completing an impressive first two weeks in the program. During this time, students have been focused on the Miller: Augmented Arc Welding certification, where they have shown exceptional skill and engagement in the hands-on training components. One standout achievement came from student Ash Lessard, who earned the second-highest score across the Blackstone Valley Hub on her very first day of trai
Feb 51 min read
Proud Grant Recipient, Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities
The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development (BV Hub) is honored to be one of the six grant recipients for the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities totaling $900,000. On February 3rd, the BV Hub was awarded $170,000 of this total. The goal of this funding is to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 116 young adults with disabilities. Read the full list of grantees here . “We at t
Feb 52 min read
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