IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
CONNECTING ACTIVITIES
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s “Connecting Activities” initiative is an in-school program that is designed for in-school youth that allows students to experience the world of work through internships. The program helps youth see the relationship between what they are learning 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
YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults get the skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements at public, private, and non-profit worksites. The program serves income-eligible youth aged 14 to 21 living in targeted cities across the Commonwealth. The program is offered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered statewide by the Commonwealth Corporation. Locally it is coordinated through the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board 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 the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), out-of-school services emphasize educational and career pathways training to youth ages 16-24 who are no longer in school.
Through a network of regional service providers, youth services 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
Health Care (CNA), Residential Child and Youth Care Worker, High School Equivalency Preparation, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement at the following locations:
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, Post-secondary Exploration, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement at the following location:
Worcester and Surrounding Towns – (508) 752-0778
High School Equivalency Preparation, Post-secondary Exploration, Work Readiness Training, and Job Placement at the following location:
Worcester and Surrounding Towns – (508) 754-1176
The Individual Training Account offers a wide range of approved training programs. A few popular trainings attended by clients: Tractor Trailer Training, Certified Nurse Assistant, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Medical Assistant, and HVAC.
Career counseling, job assistance and 1 year of follow-up support available after training.
Program Eligibility Criteria: Proof of age (18+), work authorization, selective service compliant, and one of the following: economically disadvantaged, dislocated worker, target company lay-offs, or displaced homemakers.
Contract: 508-799-1600 x601