Education – Workforce Development

Education is a serious business in Worcester

Worcester is home to 12 colleges and universities, with a combined 31,000 students.

With more than 10,000 faculty and staff at our area colleges and universities, higher education is Worcester’s second largest industry—creating a hub of expertise right in our city.

From the founding of the College of the Holy Cross in 1843 to the most recently opened MCPHS University, Worcester offers students a wealth of learning opportunities – including a first-rate teaching hospital, and a top-notch veterinary, pharmacy and bioengineering school.

In addition to the positive and enriching influence such academia offers to the community, the total economic impact of Worcester area institutions on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is estimated to be more than $2.5 billion.

Chamber Initiatives

Human Resources Roundtable — The Human Resources Roundtable meets quarterly to bring together HR professionals from small-large businesses to discuss best practices in talent recruitment and retention; employment law updates; compliance training; and other hot topics and pressing issues for employers.

Workforce-education program with WTHS — This new partnership between the chamber and WTHS is focused on preparing students for careers in priority industry sectors by expanding co-op opportunities with local employers, building awareness of area workforce training providers that could be a post-secondary option for students, and working with employers to meet their skilled workforce needs. For information, reach out to Dave Garvin.

#Elevate events for young professionals — Millennials (Adults between the ages of 21-37) are the largest generation in the workforce. The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce understands the importance attracting and retaining this generation to our region. We are launching the #Elevate campaign to make Chamber events more inviting and inclusive to young professionals.

Internships — The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce offers free 1-1 information and consultations with member employers on creating or improving their internship program. With relationships with the 12 area colleges and universities, as well as area K-12 programs, we can help employers make the right connections on campus for recruiting.

Familiarization Sessions—The Chamber presents “Welcome to Worcester” overview to talent acquisition teams, hospitality/cultural organization frontline staff, college admissions staff, orientation leaders, resident assistants and more to give those individuals the information they need to welcome new visitors or residents to the City and region.

Worcester Student Government Association – WSGA is a committee with delegates from each of the area colleges and universities’ student government association. The Chamber has a unique partnership with the WSGA and meets monthly to discuss ideas and opportunities to work together.

StartUp Worcester – The Chamber partners with Running Start, WCTI and The Venture Forum to offer this incubator program to help entrepreneurs grow and expand their business concepts.