Connecting Activities
Creating a Talent Pipeline
What is Connecting Activities?
"There is a direct correlation to YouthWorks and the work being done
through Connecting Activities. MassHire sees a great benefit to the students
and schools that our area serves to have a team working seamlessly on both initiatives.
We encourage schools to continue to work with Connecting Activities through the Blackstone Valley Hub
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- Jeffrey T. Turgeon
Executive Director
340 Main St, Suite 400
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 799-1509
We are excited to share news of the recent awarding of the Blackstone Valley region’s Connecting Activities grant subcontract to the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development!
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The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development works directly with Central MassHire and DESE to support career awareness, exploration, and work based experiences.
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Connecting Activities (CA) grant, is a statewide network led by DESE and organized through sixteen MassHire Workforce Boards, charged with supporting work-based learning and other career development education activities for students. Through the network, educators can exchange ideas and practices by accessing a wide range of tools, resources, and experiences that support students. Also, employers and community partners can find channels to connect with schools in order to promote career awareness and the career growth of local students.
- Kerry Akashian
Career Development Education Lead
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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On behalf of the BV Hub, we are excited to offer enhanced and customized district services as well as the state-funded CA services regional schools have been previously familiar with and rely upon, including:
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Industry Speakers and Career Day Bookings
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Innovation Pathway Application Consultation & Support
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Innovation Pathway Sustainability Support
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Field Trips
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Regional Resource Networking Groups for L&D and Best Practices
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ICY (Internship, Co-op, YouthWorks) ​Collaborative
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TTT (Trends, Tracking, Trainings)
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Hub CA/YouthWorks Advisory Panel
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Virtual reality and DoBot Workshops
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In-District and Virtual Employability Workshops
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Career Awareness/Exploration Workshops
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One-contact for CA & YouthWorks students (in-house case management)
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Grant Assistance and Advisement
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Legislative Advocacy
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Professional Development
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Funding for Transportation Grants
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Free access to Resource Library & Video Events
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Free access to NextGen Talent: Central MA Labor Market & Search Engine
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Free admission to applicable BVCC events
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September 27: Education Breakfast with Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D., Secretary of Education​
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October: Ignite! Professional Development Conference
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WSN’S Ladies On The Lake
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"Love Your Legislator" Breakfast
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Special events that connect education with the workforce
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Post-Secondary Job Fair at Polar Park​
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Spring STEAM Heat Conference
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Internship Network Nights
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Hub Connecting Activities Plus Services 2023-2024
YouthWorks Integration
As an existing YouthWorks and workforce training provider, the BV Hub looks forward to furthering DESE’s goals of collaboration, coordination and ease of access to families, students, and educators between these incredibly important programs. We look forward to onboarding our new team of Connecting Activities dedicated staff members and innovating the way these programs work together to better serve you.
Please let us know if you have any questions about our expansion. The BV Hub strives for continuing input and discussion with our school district and business partners. We invite you to be a part of our ongoing program development so we can better serve.
Event Registration
Service Descriptions
Connecting Activities services are offered to all BV Hub regional and partnered schools.
The unique nature of each district and school allows them to customize which service options and events work to enrich and enhance their educational offerings. The BV Hub Team strives to understand the needs of each district and custom tailor our CA+ service option to align with district priorities and goals. This includes individual consultation, district specific program development, business outreach and grant writing not included under the standard CA services. Regional groups, programs, and events are free to all districts.
Please check back soon for detailed Service Descriptions!
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The Connecting Activities contract was awarded to the BV Hub in August, 2023 and we are uploading the team and information this month!
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Feel free to contact young.joscelyn@bvhub.org to schedule a 1:1 or district leadership meeting for further details regarding school partnership agreements and services.