The Massachusetts Regional Workforce Strategies Initiative will hold a Southeastern Massachusetts Workforce Development Summit on Thursday October 23, 2008 at Massasoit Community College Conference Center, 770 Crescent Street, Brockton.

Beginning with registration at 7:00am followed by a complimentary full breakfast and networking from 8:00 to 8:30am, the program will begin promptly at 8:30am and concluded by noon. There is no registration fee, however since space is limited, participants are asked to preregister online at  http://www.connectsemass.org/Workforce%20Summit%20Registration.pdf

The summit is planned as part of the Patrick Administration's New Massachusetts Regional Workforce Strategies Initiative. The initiative brings together leaders in business, education, government and workforce development to develop concrete plans and partnerships to fill in-demand jobs in every region of the state and to develop pathways to skills and opportunities that lead to success in our economy.
 
The summit is designed for participants to learn about the latest Southeastern Massachusetts labor market. The Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University will present new southeastern Massachusetts labor market data to assist regional partners in developing strategies to solve workforce challenges.

Interactive breakout sessions will address:
- Increasing skills/job readiness for immigrants
- Funding opportunities for companies and employees
- Developing training to address specific industry needs
- Strategies for promoting economic growth in the region

Featured speakers are Suzanne Bump, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, and Paul Harrington, Associate Director, Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University.

The Summit is sponsored by:
- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development;
- CONNECT - a Southeastern Massachusetts Public Higher Education Partnership;
- The Bristol Workforce Investment Board;
- The Commonwealth Corporation;
- The Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board;
- The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board; and the
- MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce

For more information call 508-531-1437.