Central MA Connecting ActivitiesZ Convening

Venue: Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center

3 Paul Clancy Way (for GPS use 115 McKeon Road); Worcester, MA 01607

Hosts: MassHire Central Region Workforce Board &

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development

On May 1st from 9am - noon, join regional workforce development leaders from diverse Central MA school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and governance at the scenic Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester, MA for the first ever “Central MA Connecting ActivitZ Convening.”

Participants will get an exclusive first look at two new, major workforce development projects designed to enhance the services we provide youth in the Commonwealth:

• MCRWB’s Connecting Activities Guidebook

• BV Hub’s Innovative Work-Based Learning Ecosystem Tool (reflecting the Biden administration's "Career Z Challenge" project)

Event Agenda

9:00 - 9:10

Welcome and Introduction

• Welcome by Jeannie Hebert, President of Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce & Devon Kurtz, Executive Director of Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor

• Introduction by Jeff Turgeon, Executive Director of MassHire Central Region Workforce Board

• Recognition of Distinguished Guests

• Overview of Agenda and Objectives

9:10 - 9:20

State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Insights

• Summary of MyCAP and Insights on Career Readiness Approaches: Joe Wyman, CCTE District Liaison DESE Connecting Activities

9:20 - 9:40

Agile Brain Engagement Session

• Pre-session Interactive Agile Brain Assessment (4 minutes)

• Brief overview of Pilot School Program 2024 by BV Hub with Agile Briain

• Presentation by Agile Brain Founders: Dr. JD Pincus and Dr. Bill Nolan 

9:40 - 10:10

Round 1: Current Practices - Observations of Today

• Overview of Central MA Regional CA Partnerships and new Virtual Guidebook

• Panel Discussion and Reaction     

  • Panelists:         

    • Lynn Turner, Core XP Business Solutions & BVCC HR Roundtable

    • Norma Rey-Alicea,  Executive Director & Co-Founder of NextGen 

    • Emily Lehman, Director of Innovation Career Pathways at Worcester Public Schools

    • Tom Belland, WBL & Internship Consultant at the BV Hub

    • Dr. Michael D. Rubin, Principal at Uxbridge High School

    • Bruce Mendehlson, Communications & Resource Development Coordinator for MassHire Central Region Workforce Board

     

   

• Breakout Group Activities: Identifying Best Practices and Gaps

10:10 - 10:20

Networking Break

• Breakfast & Networking Opportunity

• Interactive Session with True Robotics' Robot Dog(s)

10:20 - 10:30

Round 1 Continued: Summary and Discussion

• Brief Report Out from Breakout Groups

• Follow-up Discussion on Identified Action Items

10:30 - 11:15

Round 2: Integrating Tools for Career Readiness

• Introduction of NextGen Talent and Online Resource Library

• Presentation and Demonstration by Norma from NextGen Talent

• Exploration of Gamification Concept and Active Tool Use

• Innovative Tool Use for Career Trajectory Planning

11:15 - 11:45

Round 3: Data Aggregation Tool and Career Z Challenge

• Overview of BV Hub Data Aggregation Tool and Career Z Challenge

• Volunteer Use and Demonstration

• Brainstorming Session for Phase 3 Proposal Submission 

  • Introduction of potential Phase 3 pilots with Joscelyn Young: True Robotics, Agile Brain Measures, Expansion of cohesive tool system

  • Popcorn Brainstorming with proposals, feedback, barriers, and wishlists

   

11:45 - 12

Wrap Up and Next Steps

• Key Takeaways and Actionable Insights

• Recap of Convening Objectives

• Post-Event Engagement Activities and Raffle Drawing

12:00 - 12:30

Post-Event Networking

• Networking Opportunity with Coffee and Snacks