IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
CONNECTING ACTIVITIES
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s “Connecting Activities” initiative helps in-school youth experience the world of work through internships, enabling youth to see the relationship between what they learn in school and their career aspirations.
Worcester Public Schools
- Burncoat High School
- Claremont Learning Laboratory School
- Doherty Memorial High School
- Gerald Creamer Center
- North High School
- South High Community School
- Worcester Alternative School
- Worcester Technical High School
- University Park Campus
- Alternative School
Contact: Stephanie Stockwell, Connecting Activities Coordinator, (508) 751-7663.
- Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
- Blackstone Millville Regional High School
- Douglas High School
- Grafton High School
- Hopedale High School
- Milford High School
- Millbury High School
- Nipmuc Regional High School
- Northbridge High School
- Sutton High School
- Uxbridge High School
Contact: Erika Baum, Connecting Activities Coordinator, (508) 234-9090 ext 101.
YOUTHWORKS
This state-funded youth employment program helps teens and young adults (ages 14-21) get the skills and experience they need to find and keep jobs. The program serves income-eligible youth who live in targeted cities across the Commonwealth (including Worcester). Participants have paid short-term work placements at public, private, and nonprofit worksites.
The program is offered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts EOLWD and administered statewide by Commonwealth Corporation. Locally it is coordinated through the MCRWB and managed on their behalf in Worcester by the Worcester Community Action Council and in Southbridge by the Center of Hope.
OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT
Funded by WIOA, out-of-school services emphasize educational and career pathways training to youth ages 16-24 who are no longer in school. A network of regional service providers offer participants access to the following components:
- Tutoring, Study Skills Activities
- Alternative Secondary School Activities
- Paid and Unpaid Work Experience
- Occupational Skills Training
- Education with Workforce Prep Activities
- Leadership Development
- Support Services
- Adult Mentoring
- Follow-up Services
- Guidance and Counseling
- Financial Literacy Training
- Entrepreneurial Skills Training
- Labor Market and Employment Information
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)/Home Health Training, Culinary, High School Equivalency Preparation, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement in:
Webster and surrounding towns: (508) 461-9503
Milford and surrounding towns: (508) 473-2178
Whitinsville and surrounding towns: (508) 266-2125
Worcester and surrounding towns: (508) 849-5600 x397
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)/Home Health Training, EKG, Phlebotomy, Post-secondary exploration, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement in Worcester and surrounding towns. (508) 752-0778
High School Equivalency preparation, Post-secondary exploration, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement in Worcester and surrounding towns. (508) 754-1176
Offers approved training programs including: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Pharmaceutical Tech, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Medical Assistant, and HVAC. Career counseling, job placement assistance, and one year of follow-up support available after training.
Eligibility criteria: Proof of age (18+), work authorization, selective service compliant, and one of the following: economically disadvantaged, dislocated worker, target company layoffs, or displaced homemakers. Additional criteria may apply. Call for more info: (508) 799-1600 x601