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Home » Quinsigamond Community College forms Workforce Advisory Council to align with workforce needs

Quinsigamond Community College forms Workforce Advisory Council to align with workforce needs

Contact: Karen Hutner
Office of Institutional Communications
khutner [at] qcc.mass.edu
 

Release Date: 
2/8/2024

WORCESTER, MA – February 8, 2023 – On Friday, February 9, Quinsigamond Community College will hold the inaugural meeting of its newly formed Workforce Advisory Council. The council will be co-chaired by Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives President and CEO Jon Weaver and comprised of representatives from leading regional employers.

“This Council will provide insight into current and future workforce needs, which will help to guide the development of new programs and enhancements at QCC,” said QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D. “Understanding the needs of our business community is imperative to delivering workforce-ready individuals who can make a valuable contribution to a company from the moment they are hired.”

The inaugural meeting will include stakeholders from manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, social services, business and other key industry sectors. Initial topics include critical hiring needs, current workforce gaps, in-house training opportunities and a collaborative vision for QCC industry relations.

“In a rapidly transforming global economy, the establishment of the Workforce Advisory Council marks a significant milestone for QCC and the diverse industries we serve. This council is not just about meeting today's needs; it's about anticipating the future, ensuring that our programs and graduates are not only relevant but also ahead of the curve,” said Dean of the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education Kathie Manning.

According to Manning, the insights from local employers are invaluable as QCC aligns its offerings with the real word needs of regional employers to create a consistent pipeline of skilled entry-level and incumbent workers.

Companies in attendance will include:

  • AIS Inc.
  • Boston BioProducts
  • Milford Regional Physician Group
  • Nano Dimension
  • New York Life Insurance
  • Open Sky Community Services
  • RoslinCT
  • SALMON Health
  • St. Vincent Hospital
  • UMass Memorial Health
  • Worcester Community Action Council
  • Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • YOU, Inc.
  • YWCA Central Massachusetts

Quinsigamond Community College is the most affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.