NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — JD Chesloff, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR), has joined Lever's board of trustees.
His work at MBR is focused on strengthening the state's long-term social and economic vitality with the goal of making Massachusetts a highly desirable place to do business in a global economy.
Originally from the Berkshires, Chesloff grew up in Cheshire and has worked in and around Beacon Hill for more than 25 years. In the Massachusetts State Legislature, he was the Chief of Staff to the House Committee on Commerce and Labor, and was the education issues analyst and Deputy Budget Director for the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In addition to his work at MBR, he also is a member of the Board of Trustees at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.
Chesloff holds a Master's in Public Affairs from the McCormack Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Law and Public Policy and Telecommunications Writing from Syracuse University.
"I am absolutely thrilled that JD will join the Lever Board. Adding his statewide economic development perspective is more than timely. I look forward to his contributions to Lever's mission" said James Birge, Chair of the Lever Board.
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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
The School Committee earlier this month approved upping the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
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Dunkin' Donuts celebrated its reopening after undergoing a recent remodel by presenting the Friendship Center Food Pantry with a $3,000 donation. click for more
