The chamber provides a strong
line of communication between
employers and educators.
"We have been working closely
with the IPP director to align
training programs with workforce
needs and assist with employer
partnerships for internships," said
Pelletier. "We have also been
assisting the new director of Night
Life to support her efforts to make
sure employers are aware of this
low-cost training opportunity
across many industries, including
manufacturing."
Youth organizations are likewise
doing their part to ensure a new
generation of manufacturing pro-
fessionals will be at the ready, by
pioneering STEM education. Girls
Inc. of Worcester serves more than
1,000 girls every year with a
whole-girl philosophy designed to
inspire young women to be strong,
smart and bold.
Girls Inc. of Worcester prepares
women to enter the STEM work-
force by providing K-12 program-
ming with demonstrated results and
access to opportunities in the field.
"Our capstone program,
Eureka!, places high school girls in
summer externships at local man-
ufacturing businesses such as
Boston Scientific, Dell, and Saint-
Gobain, who have generously
opened their doors to create an
introduction to manufacturing and
STEM careers," said CEO Victoria
Waterman,
Focus on middle school
This is only the beginning.
Waterman said every girl enrolled
in Girls Inc. is engaged in some
form of STEM programming;
however, there is an intentional
focus to capture girls before they
enter middle school.
"Girls are conditioned to lose
interest in science and math
around that age, even though their
grades are just as strong as their
male peers," said Waterman. "Girls
Inc. strives to keep them engaged,
expose them to the variety of
careers, and build their confidence
so they can stay on track
academically."
14 S T U F F • 2 0 1 9 • StuffMadeinMA.com
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