麻州政府訂4/26-5/2舉辦一系列5場「麻州學徒週」活動

（Boston Orange編譯）麻州政府今日宣佈，將配合全國學徒週，在 4 月 26 日至 5 月 2 日舉辦ㄧ系列5場「麻州學徒週（Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week）」。麻州勞工暨勞動力發展廳（EOLWD）將派員前往全州各地，展示「政府認證學徒計畫（Registered Apprenticeship Programs）」在建築、製造、醫療保健、生命科學及早期教育等產業作為勞動力策略的價值。

麻州勞工廳從 2023 年 1 月以來，共撥發 1,200 萬美元的 「成長（GROW ）」補助金，還從美國勞工部（USDOL）爭取到 800 萬美元資金來擴辦認證學徒制，迄今已有超過 11,000 名註冊學徒。

麻州州長奚莉（ Maura Healey）表示，這項目為民眾創造了通往優質工作的路徑，也幫助麻州培訓出具備熟練技能的勞動力，以應對經濟需求。

麻州副州長 Kim Driscoll 指出，學徒制讓勞工能一邊學習一邊賺取收入，並在首日即具備成功所需的實踐經驗。

麻州勞工廳廳長Lauren Jones 和副廳長 Josh Cutler 將於 4 月 27 日週一開始，出席一系列活動。

週一上午訪視波士頓鐵工工會第 7 分會（Ironworkers Local 7）發表宣言。

週二，在州政府大樓晤見瑞士駐波士頓領事館（Swissnex），以及瑞士企業駐麻州代表，討論如何以學徒制作為吸引與留住人才的策略。

週三上午，Jones 部長將出席由大波士頓商會主辦的麻州學徒網絡（Massachusetts Apprentice Network）四週年活動，重點說明 2025 年註冊學徒稅收抵免（Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit）的影響。

週四，麻州政府將在新貝德福德（New Bedford）的小人國學院（Little People’s College）宣佈新一輪用於擴展早期教育學徒計畫的 GROW 補助金。同日下午，Jones 部長將視察位於埃文（Avon）的 AccuRounds 公司，參觀其先進製造認證學徒計畫。

有關麻州註冊學徒制的詳細資訊，可至官方網站 mass.gov/Apprenticeship 查詢。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week, April 26 – May 2, 2026

Apprenticeship celebrations and announcements happening across the state all week; Full schedule of events and press availability below

 

BOSTON - Next week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration will celebrate Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week, in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, with events and announcements across Massachusetts to highlight the value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs as a workforce strategy for industries such as construction, manufacturing, health care, life sciences, early education, and many more.

 

Since January 2023, the administration has awarded $12 million in GROW grants, secured $8 million from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to expand registered apprenticeships, and has registered over 11,000 apprentices in Massachusetts. 

 

“Registered apprenticeships create real pathways to good jobs and help Massachusetts build the skilled workforce our economy needs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re investing in apprenticeship programs across industries, expanding opportunities for workers to earn while they learn, and helping employers grow the talent they need to compete. Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week is a chance to celebrate that progress and encourage more businesses to join us in this work.”

 

“Registered apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective tools we have to develop talent,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. They allow us to invest in our workforce while giving workers the hands-on experience and skills they need to succeed from day one.”

 

Starting Monday, April 27, 2026, and throughout the week, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones and Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler will attend several Apprenticeship related events across the state. Last year, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Secretary Jones convened labor leaders and hundreds of apprentices in different industries to recognize 250 years of apprenticeship innovation in Massachusetts.

 

“Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to highlight the critical role registered apprenticeships play in building an innovative and skilled workforce across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Registered apprenticeships are instrumental in connecting untapped talent to good paying, meaningful careers, while preparing this new workforce with the skills employers need. I look forward to traveling across the state during Apprenticeship Week to see these programs in action.”

 

“Apprenticeship Week is a weeklong spotlight on what’s working in Massachusetts,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler. “From hard hats and lab coats to shop floors and tech hubs, employers are tapping into talent and building their teams with registered apprenticeships.”

 

EOLWD Secretary Jones’ Public Schedule for Massachusetts Apprenticeship Week 2026

 

Monday, April 27, 2026

Secretary Jones and Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler will visit Ironworkers Local 7 to kickoff Apprenticeship Week and present a proclamation alongside apprentices.

 

When: Monday, April 27, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Ironworkers Local 7, 195 Old Colony Ave, Boston, MA 02127

Press: Open

 

 

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Secretary Jones, Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler, and the Swiss Consulate in Boston (Swissnex) will convene business leaders from Swiss companies with a presence in Massachusetts to discuss registered apprenticeship opportunities as a workforce strategy to attract, retain, and develop talent.   

 

When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Where: Room 157, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

Press: Open

 

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Secretary Jones will speak at the Massachusetts Apprentice Network 4th Anniversary Event, hosted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and highlight the impact of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s 2025 Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit.

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Where: 265 Franklin Street Suite 1701, Boston, MA 02110

Press: Open, please RSVP to Casey Baines cbaines@bostonchamber.com

 

 

Thursday, April 30, 2026

The Healey-Driscoll Administration will announce a new round of GROW Grants to expand registered apprenticeship programs in Early Childhood Education.

When: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Little People’s College, 107 Welby Road, New Bedford, MA

Press: Open, livestreamed at mass.gov/LWD/News

 

 

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Secretary Jones will visit AccuRounds and tour their advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeship program.

When: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: 74 Bodwell Street, Avon, MA 02322

Press: Open

 

 

For more information about Massachusetts Registered Apprenticeship, visit mass.gov/Apprenticeship.

麻州研擬草案加強監管網約車平台及司機 每項違規罰500美元

         （Boston Orange）麻州公用事業處(DPU)今(24)日發佈法規草案，加強監管網約車平台公司及其司機。新規明定，網約車平台若違反司機認證規定，每項違規罰款 500 美元。DPU現正公開徵詢民眾意見，提交截止日為2026 年 7 月 2 日。

擬議中的草案將強制網約車平台持續監管司機背景，擴大審查範圍至司機過去 7 年曾居住或持照的所有州別，嚴禁曾遭任何州吊銷駕照的司機執業，若平台允許未經審查人員執業就喪失服務資格。平台公司還必須每年確認營運車輛無安全召回紀錄，藉以透過強制的背景監控與營運規範，確保全州 10.4 萬名認證司機的執業安全。

在保障乘客方面，草案要求平台優化 App （軟體應用程式）行程驗證協定以確保車輛真實性，並限制 16 歲以下未成年人須由成年人陪同搭乘。平台公司須為司機提供年度訓練，課程涵蓋安全駕駛、預防人口販運及服務身障者之技巧等。

麻州公用事業處主管 Jeremy McDiarmid 強調，新規則旨在強化產業監督，並確保審查過程公平。專員Staci Rubin 補充，法規要求平台公司每兩年提交電動化進展報告。截至 2025 年 12 月，州府已發放約 144.6 萬美元，資助約 300 名司機更換電動車。

自 2017 年行使監管權以來，麻州已執行逾 80 萬次背景審查，並對違規業者裁罰超過 600 萬美元。研擬中的規範不涵蓋由市鎮核發許可的 UberEats 或 DoorDash 等餐飲外送平台。DPU將針對草案舉辦兩場聽證會。

DPU Plans to Enhance Rideshare Safety through New Regulations

 

The proposed regulations will be nation-leading in protecting both passengers and drivers

 
BOSTON — Today, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) opened a rulemaking proceeding to enhance public safety for all rideshares across the state. The DPU’s TNC Division is updating its regulations that pertain to both the Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)—companies providing rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft—and drivers certified by the DPU to operate in Massachusetts. The regulations, once implemented, would reinforce Massachusetts’s position as a national leader in state oversight of rideshare services through a rigorous, safety-focused program.  

 

Through its TNC Division, the DPU has the authority to regulate rideshare companies, the services provided by each company, and rideshare drivers in the state since 2017. There are currently five permitted TNCs authorized to conduct business and over 104,000 certified rideshare drivers in Massachusetts. Over the past nine years, the DPU has completed over 800,000 background checks, thousands of appeals, and assessed over $6 million in civil penalties to the TNCs for lack of compliance with state laws. The DPU does not regulate on-demand food delivery rides, like UberEats and Doordash: these companies must obtain operating permits from municipalities.  

 

“Massachusetts has the opportunity to set the standard for safety and oversight of the TNC industry with these updated regulations,” said Chair Jeremy McDiarmid. “The proposed changes reflect our top line goal of promoting passenger safety and ensuring driver fairness and dignity in the background check process.” 

 

“Safety always comes first,” said Commissioner Liz Anderson. “We are extremely committed to passenger safety. The regulatory changes that we’re proposing would create new standards for rideshare companies and drivers to make sure both passengers and drivers have the safest ride possible.”  

 

“The proposed regulations promote safety for riders and drivers and kickstart an equitable transition to the electrification of rideshare vehicles,” said Commissioner Staci Rubin. “Massachusetts is capitalizing on this unique opportunity to help ensure that the use of climate friendly vehicles is fair to drivers while we reduce environmental impacts from the transportation sector, the largest source of GHG pollution in the state.” 

 

The new draft regulations impose more rigorous standards for driver certification and for the background checks conducted by both the TNCs and the DPU. The regulations expand driver disqualifications, such as suspended or revoked driving privileges in any state or allowing another driver without a background check to provide services on a TNC driver’s behalf, to better protect the safety of passengers and require continuous background check monitoring of drivers for any criminal or traffic violations. TNCs must also conduct new background checks whenever they become aware of changes to a driver’s personal information, such as obtaining a new driver’s license from another state. The regulations expand the scope of TNC background checks to cover criminal and motor vehicle driving history from every state where a potential Massachusetts TNC driver has resided or held a license in the past seven years. The third-party companies the TNCs use for background checks are also now subject to accreditation requirements to ensure their policies and work product are reliable and comply with state and federal laws. TNCs would be fined $500 for certain driver-related violations under the DPU’s final regulations. 

 

The regulations seek to enhance the DPU’s current appeals process to make it more robust and transparent by providing standards for the DPU to review incident reports created by law enforcement and applicable to a driver’s appeal of certificate denial or revocation. The DPU will also now review any subpoenas in connection with a driver or company appeal.  

 

Through the new regulations, the DPU looks to provide passengers with more transparency and enhance Ride Authentication protocols used in the TNCs’ apps so that passengers can verify quickly and easily that they are getting in the vehicle that they ordered. Additionally, the DPU’s regulations would make it easier for passengers to share their ride details with trusted parties and law enforcement in case of emergencies. 

 

TNCs will be required to provide their drivers with annual educational training on safe driving and public interaction, distracted driving prevention, human trafficking awareness and prevention, and serving riders with disabilities, such as riders with service animals or riders using wheelchairs. Minors under 16 would be required to be accompanied by an adult when using rideshare services.  

 

In addition to the strengthened suitability requirements, the TNCs must now annually check for safety recalls of vehicles before they can be used to provide rideshare services. Along with increasing safety oversight, the draft regulations would promote the electrification of rideshare vehicles and require the TNCs to submit biennial reports on their progress advancing their electrification programs, required by Massachusetts law. Since 2024, MassCEC’s Ride Clean Mass program has helped rideshare drivers by providing rebates to significantly reduce upfront costs when rideshare drivers purchase or rent electric vehicles. As of December 2025, Ride Clean Mass has disbursed roughly $1,446,800 in vouchers to roughly 300 rideshare drivers to electrify their vehicles. Rebates are still available to qualifying drivers.  

 

Following the publication of the draft regulations by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the DPU will hold two hearings to gain feedback from drivers, stakeholders, and the public. All members of the public and stakeholders are welcome to provide written comments by July 2, 2026. More information can be found at the DPU’s page on the rulemaking proceeding.

麻州政府「創業先修班」春季名單揭曉 Emily Wan的Aruspex等16家企業入選

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州經濟發展辦公室（Executive Office of Economic Development）和「麻州創投（MassVentures ）」4月23日宣佈，共有 16 個項目獲選加入2026 年春季「創業先修班（Founders School）」，種類包含生命科學、氣候科技、先進材料、國防、農業科技及人工智慧（AI），十分多元。

麻州經濟發展廳廳長 Eric Paley 表示，麻州擁有全球頂尖的研究實力與人才，「創業先修班（Founders School）」是一個協助深科技（Deep Tech）創業者為創辦企業做好準備，加快科研構想轉化為企業產品的孵化加速器。

「創業先修班（Founders School）」 2024 年啟動迄今，3年來已支持共 38 個創業項目，累計籌集資金超過 1,800 萬美元， Techstars、麻州生命科學中心（MLSC）及 SBIR/STTR 等頂尖機構都認可與資助。

MassVentures 總裁兼執行長 Charlie Hipwood 指出，跨入第三屆意味著 「創業先修班（Founders School）」  社群已正式成形，將致力於提供導師資源與網絡，協助領導者在麻州境內加速成長。

「創業先修班（Founders School）」採用「活教材」模式，根據每屆學員的需求即時調整課程。計畫包含結構化工作坊、專家會議及里程碑審核。入選者在核心內容階段每週或每兩週交流一次，隨後接受為期九個月的持續輔導與顧問支持。

麻州首個深科技協作體 venx 為自創立以來的關鍵夥伴，負責塑造課程、招募導師並鏈接風險投資生態系統。venx 董事總經理 John Ho 強調，該計畫為開發顛覆性技術的創業者提供了實質的前行路徑。

2026 年春季班成員極為多元，不但 63% 創業者為女性，創業團隊座落地點也遠遠不只傳統的波士頓與劍橋創新走廊，甚至匹茨菲爾德（Pittsfield）、斯托頓（Stoughton）及韋克菲爾德（Wakefield）等地都有。

 

2026 年春季班入選名單與項目簡介

創業者	企業名稱	項目重點	地點
Aishwarya Kothari	Prithvion	透過超在地預測與農藝見解預測作物疾病	Somerville（尚莫維爾）
Carolina Aguila	NanoInGreen	將天然成分轉化為高吸收奈米粒子	Tulsa, Oklahoma（奧克拉荷馬州圖爾薩）
Carolyn Lee Parsons	Periwinkle Pharm	開發用於生產關鍵化療藥物的植物系統	Boston（波士頓）
Catherine Katambo	VocaSafe Watch	具備 AAC 輔助溝通與安全功能的穿戴式手錶	Somerville（尚莫維爾）
Dawn Thompson	Auracee	推進子宮切除術康復的女性健康解決方案	Pittsfield（皮茨菲爾德）
Emily Wan	Aruspex	用於國防與航太的零知識 AI 驗證	Chestnut Hill（栗樹山）
Farag Ammed	ParaGlow AI	透過 AI 驅動識別以減少手術併發症	Boston（波士頓）
JC Arce	Tidefield	利用海藻減少牛隻的甲烷排放	Stoughton（斯托頓）
Jocelyn Foulke	LiPhera	規模化鋰萃取技術	Dorchester（多徹斯特）
Kimberly Panik	Amphyra Technologies	水下環境的即時生理監測	Boston（波士頓）
Lesley-Ann Gibbons	Symbiota	挖掘極端微生物共生技術以強化食品維生素	Northampton（北安普敦）
Patrick Thayer	Aster Biofabrication	動物模型替代方案的生物製造基礎設施	Hudson（哈德遜）
Pavana Rotti	Nervoid	用於檢測細胞信號變化的 AI 視覺平台	Cambridge（劍橋）
Pranay Srivastava	Neurapsyc	家用神經康復穿戴式裝置	Wakefield（韋克菲爾德）
Tosin Joel	Toluai	專注於能源負載預測與氣候風險建模的 AI 決策平台	Cambridge（劍橋）
William Cronin	North Shore Therapeutics	針對嚴重精神疾病的 AR 數位療法	Dallas, TX（德州達拉斯）

MassVentures Announces the Third Cohort of Founders School

Sixteen Founders Selected from a Competitive Applicant Pool Spanning AI, Life Sciences, Climatetech, Advanced Materials, and Defense

BOSTON — Today, the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassVentures announced that 16 fellows will join the Spring 2026 cohort of Founders School, a founder-centered pre-accelerator built for deep tech venture readiness. The cohort reflects the breadth of Massachusetts' innovation economy, with strong representation across life sciences, climatetech, advanced materials, defense, agtech, and AI. 

“Massachusetts is home to some of the strongest research and talent in the world, but turning that into a company takes the right support at the right time,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Founders School helps close that gap, giving entrepreneurs the tools and connections they need to build and scale here in Massachusetts.” 

Since launching in 2024, Founders School has supported three cohorts totaling 38 founders. Founders School alumni have collectively raised more than $18 million in capital to date and have been accepted into, recognized by, and awarded grants from leading institutions, including Techstars, Antler, MassCEC, NSF I-Corps, Greentown Labs, the Harvard Innovation Labs, Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and SBIR/STTR. 

"This third cohort marks a meaningful milestone — the emergence of a true Founders School community," said MassVentures President and CEO Charlie Hipwood. "We are committed to equipping these leaders with the mentorship, resources, and networks they need to accelerate their growth and scale their businesses here in the Commonwealth." 

Founders School operates as a living curriculum that adapts in real time to the needs, questions, and ambitions of each cohort. The program combines structured workshops, expert sessions, and milestone checkpoints. Founders engage in weekly and biweekly touchpoints during the core content phase, followed by nine months of ongoing coaching and advisory support. 

A key partner since inception has been ven^x, Massachusetts' first deep tech collaborative, whose network of operators, investors, and domain experts has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum, sourcing mentors, and connecting founders with the broader venture ecosystem. 

"We have a responsibility to make sure the founders building disruptive technologies have a real pathway forward,” said ven^x Managing Director John Ho. “Founders School is exactly that kind of force multiplier. The diversity of businesses in this cohort, from climatetech to AI to life sciences and beyond, reflects what's possible when you open the door wider across the entire ecosystem." 

The Spring 2026 cohort comprises 16 founders, with 63 percent identifying as women. Founders School extends beyond the traditional Boston and Cambridge innovation corridor, reaching founders in communities like Pittsfield, Stoughton, Hudson, and Wakefield and ensuring high-potential entrepreneurs are identified and supported regardless of geography. 

Fellows include: 

· Aishwarya Kothari, Prithvion — Somerville 
Predicts crop diseases through hyperlocal forecasts and agronomic insights.  

· Carolina Aguila, NanoInGreen — Tulsa, Oklahoma 
Transforms natural ingredients into high-absorption nanoparticles. Exploring a Massachusetts presence.  

· Carolyn Lee Parsons, Periwinkle Pharm — Boston 
Developing plant systems to produce key chemotherapeutic drugs.  

· Catherine Katambo, VocaSafe Watch — Somerville 
Wearable AAC smartwatch supporting communication and safety.  

· Dawn Thompson, Auracee — Pittsfield 
Advancing women’s health solutions for hysterectomy recovery.  

· Emily Wan, Aruspex — Chestnut Hill 
Provides zero-knowledge AI verification for defense and aerospace.  

· Farag Ammed, ParaGlow AI — Boston 
Reducing surgical complications through AI-driven identification.  

· JC Arce, Tidefield — Stoughton 
Reduces cattle methane emissions using algae.  

· Jocelyn Foulke, LiPhera — Dorchester 
Scaling lithium extraction technologies.  

Kimberly Panik, Amphyra Technologies — Boston 
Real-time physiological monitoring in aquatic environments.  

· Lesley-Ann Gibbons, Symbiota — Northampton 
Symbiota mines extremophile symbioses in order to transform standard dairy and plant-based products into functionally vitamin-fortified foods.

· Patrick Thayer, Aster Biofabrication — Hudson 
Infrastructure for biofabrication of animal model alternatives.  

· Pavana Rotti, Nervoid — Cambridge 
AI vision platform for detecting cell signaling changes.  

· Pranay Srivastava, Neurapsyc — Wakefield 
Home-based neurorehabilitation wearable. 
 

· Tosin Joel, Toluai — Cambridge 
Toluai is an AI-native decision intelligence platform focused on energy load forecasting and climate risk modeling.

· William Cronin, North Shore Therapeutics — Dallas, TX 
North Shore Therapeutics develops immersive, AR-based digital therapeutics for individuals with serious mental illness. The company is exploring relocation to Massachusetts to access the Commonwealth's world-class life sciences ecosystem.