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PRESS RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Jacqueline Sylvia

PHONE
774.762.5064

EMAIL
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE
January 18, 2024

Giving Students a Jumpstart: MassHire Greater New Bedford Partners with Fairhaven High for Innovative Business and Finance Program

MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board is proud to partner with and extends congratulations to Fairhaven High School on the launch of its first ever Innovative Pathways Program. This year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) designated Fairhaven High School to its Innovative Careers Pathways initiative. Massachusetts schools that achieve this classification can create specialized educational programs that offer students the option of participating in targeted coursework and career readiness activities focusing on high-demand industries.

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, 16 sophomore students at Fairhaven High School can apply for a 3-year program concentrating on careers in business and finance at no cost. Each year, participating students will take classes tailored to develop career skills in the industry. Some courses will lead to industry recognized credentials or college credits through Bristol Community College. Students will also engage in career-based activities, job shadowing, and Fairhaven High 12th grade students in the program will receive a 100-hour internship at SouthCoast Federal credit union or MY Tax and Business Solutions. Freshmen students can apply to take part in the program that will begin in their sophomore year.

Duarte Silva, SouthCoast Federal Credit Union President/CEO, and MassHire GNB Workforce Board Interim Vice Chair stated, “Southcoast Federal Credit Union and The Greater New Bedford Workforce Board are pleased to be joining leadership at Fairhaven High School to advance an internship program for students in grades ten through twelve. This will allow the students the opportunity to engage in financial literacy and hands-on training throughout our branch network and open career options in the financial industry under the Fairhaven High School Innovations Program in Banking and Finance. Both organizations are proud to be a part of this community building program for our young adults.”

As lead partner, MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board will serve on the Advisory Board for the initiative to provide feedback and data about workforce and employment trends that will help strengthen the pathway curriculum. Through services provided by our Youth Team and Career Center, MassHire will also provide a variety of career related support services, including access to job shadowing, career fairs, and professional development workshops.

“MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Youth Team has been working with the team at Fairhaven High School and South Coast Federal Credit Union with a goal of establishing an Innovation Pathway in Business and Finance. At MassHire Greater New Bedford, we’re constantly working to implement programs that offer unique training and skill building opportunities for people of all ages.” noted Joseph P. Lopes, Executive Director & CEO of MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board.

Ninth graders at Fairhaven High School who are interested in joining the program for the 2024-2025 school year can contact Marlein Sabeh in the school’s College and Career Department by calling (508) 784-7442 or emailing [email protected].

Area schools, businesses, and students interested in learning more about MassHire Greater New Bedford Youth Services can contact Deven Robitaille at (774) 762-5068 or email [email protected].

Link
https://masshiregreaternewbedford.com/for-immediate-release-giving-students-a-jumpstart-masshire-greater-new-bedford-partners-with-fairhaven-high-for-innovative-business-and-finance-program/


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