Pat Abbott, a specialist in launching biotech operations and business infrastructure for newly-formed companies within the life sciences industry, was recently elected to chair the Metro North Regional Employment Board. A principal in Cambridge-based Venture Forward Partners, she provides expertise in facility management, human resources, purchasing, regulatory affairs, health and safety, construction management, and corporate development.  She has contributed to the success of more than 100 biotechnology companies and academic institutions.

Pat is actively involved in the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and is a Commissioner on the Ashland Redevelopment Authority where she resides.  She holds a Bachelors of Science in Health Science from Northeastern University.

Pat succeeds outgoing REB Chair Greg Sheldon who will continue to represent the REB as a member of the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board Association.

Juan Vega, Executive Director of Centro Latino de Chelsea, is one of twelve of the Boston area’s most gifted non-profit leaders recently selected to receive a fellowship from the Barr Foundation. The recipients have provided distinguished service in education, youth development, arts and culture, the environment, and health and human services. The 2009 Barr Fellows will take sabbaticals, travel internationally, and learn from each other.

Congratulations to Juan on this prestigious award!

On August 7, the Metro North REB held a Regional Workforce Forum at the Holiday Inn in Woburn which was attended by local business, education, labor, and community leaders. Neeta Fogg, Senior Economist from Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies, presented new labor market data to assist regional partners in developing strategies to meet local workforce challenges.

The comprehensive presentation included an analysis of the following: industry and employment trends; identification of potential skill shortages; occupational and educational implications of employment growth; and post secondary and technical institutions as a source of labor supply.

A copy of the Metro North Labor Market Report, along with secondary and post secondary data, can be found at the MNREB Resources: Regional Labor Market Data page on this website.

In response to the growing crisis in youth unemployment, The Career Place (TCP) in Woburn has introduced a new initiative, Career Launch, with the goal of helping two hundred Metro North youth find jobs this summer.  TCP is working with local employers to identify jobs and collaborating with local high schools and community-based organizations to recruit young people eager to work during the summer months.

A kick-off event was held at the Stone Zoo on April 29 and during the first week of June local TV stations began airing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to promote the program.  The PSAs feature State Senator Richard Tsei and Cummings Property President and CEO Dennis Clarke urging local employers to post summer jobs with The Career Place.

Employers should contact Barbara Maglio at 781-932-5551 to get more information on Career launch and/or to post summer job openings.

Nearly three hundred job seekers attended a Job Fair for biotech professionals held on May 21 at Career Source in Cambridge. Seventeen companies participated, including the Broad Institute, Genzyme, and Charles River Labs. Collaboration with several organizations such as the Mass Biotech Council and Just-A-Start’s Biomedical Careers Program contributed to its success.  Enthusiastic feedback was received by job seekers as well as participating companies.

The Biotech Job Fair is the first in a bimonthly series of fairs targeted to specific industries.  The next one is slated for late July and will focus on tourism and hospitality.

Welcome to the new Metro North Regional Employment Board website. Here we will share all of the REB’s workforce initiatives and activities with our members, Youth Council, chief local officials and legislators, community-based organizations, career centers, funding sources, other partners and the general public.

Critical pieces of local information will be posted on our site. Current labor market information and job vacancy surveys will give readers an up-to-date picture of the region’s industry mix and economic vitality. The REB’s involvement in the statewide High Performance Workforce Board Initiative will be highlighted along with our progress in developing a Strategic Plan. The work of our region’s career centers, Career Source and The Career Place, will be featured along with an overview of their strong performance.

A Calendar of Events will provide a complete posting of all REB meetings including Committee and Youth Council meeting dates and other events such as P21 youth forums and REB-sponsored training sessions.

We hope this website will serve as a valuable resource for you, and we welcome your feedback.

Nancy Brown
Executive Director