Vocational Administrators to Host Summit in Worcester

Training our youth for the jobs of the future, recognizing excellence, and expanding access to education are the goals of the Career, Vocational, Technical, and Agricultural Education Summit presented by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA).  More than 200 leaders and officials from across the state are expected to attend the half-day Summit, which will take place on Friday, May 30 at the DCU Center, 50 Foster St., in Worcester, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  Sponsored by the Dewey Square Group and GFI Partners, the Summit is free and open to the public. 

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Timothy Murray will emcee the event, which is comprised of three panels, a plenary session, and demonstrations by Massachusetts SkillsUSA. The keynote speaker will be House Speaker Robert DeLeo. Additional officials include: Glen Shor, Secretary of Administration and Finance; Matthew Malone, Secretary of Education; and Rachel Kaprielian, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Training. Speakers and panelists include: Sheila Harrity, Principal, Worcester Technical High School; Brittany Velez, SkillsUSA National Secretary; Kip Paterson, Director of Human Resources, Saint Gobain; Abel Ureste, Plant Manager, Saint Gobain; Susan Mailman, President of Coghlin Electrical Contractors; Russell Vanderbaan, Director of Human Resources, Siemens; Jack Healy, Director of Operations, Mass Manufacturing Extension Partnership; Bill DiBenedetto, President and CEO, Lampin Corporation; Libis Bueno, CEO and Chief Technology Officer, Domitek; and Michael Tamasi, President and CEO, AccuRounds 

“At the Chamber of Commerce, our focus is to create a workforce pipeline for the region’s manufacturers, tech companies, health care providers, and many other sectors served by vocational education,” stated Murray. “Providing training in these areas is critical to maintaining our position as a leader in innovation and technology.  We encourage parents and students to take a second look at vocational education – it’s not the dark, dirty, and dangerous workplace it used to be. Today’s environments are clean, highly technical, and provide good paying jobs.” 

David Ferreira, MAVA’s Executive Director stated that, “The vocational technical community is excited about the upcoming Summit and appreciates the efforts of Tim Murray and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce in co-sponsoring this event.  We are certain that the Summit will result in the development of increased collaboration between business, industry, elected officials, and educators to provide expanded opportunities for young men and women. In partnership, we will build an even stronger workforce to advance the Massachusetts economy.” 

Panels will include: CVTE Partnering with Business and Industry to Create Tomorrow’s Workforce Today: “A Win-Win Partnership and a Return on Investment”; Federal (Perkins) and State Funding for Capital Equipment and Expanded Programs: “Finding the Needed Resources”; and Expanding Access to Vocational Technical Education: “Why Do We Need to Expand Opportunities and How Do We Accomplish It?” 

Registration, a continental breakfast, and networking will take place from 8 - 8:30 a.m. with the program commencing at 8:30 a.m.  There is no cost to attend.  Please RSVP to Christina Andreoli at candreoli@worcesterchamber.org or 508-753-2924, ext. 236 

ABOUT MAVA

The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) is a professional association of educational leaders who administer career and technical programs in Massachusetts schools. They represent the interests of vocational technical educators and administrators from public high schools throughout the Commonwealth to: Provide career and technical education for all students with the interest and ability to benefit; Advocate for career and technical education that provides students with the academic, technical and employability skills needed to compete in a global economy; Graduate and place students who are critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and responsible citizens; and Build partnerships between home, school, employers and communities.

ABOUT THE CHAMBER

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England, representing Worcester and five affiliate chamber partners in 35 communities with more than 2,300 members. The Chamber works to recruit new businesses to the region, retain businesses in our communities, and incubate entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow their organizations.