福建省海外高層次人才招聘團訪波士頓

波士頓浙江大學校友會會長倪繼紅（中），和福建省人力
資源和社會保障廳副廳長湯昭平（左），辦公室主任
連長梠（左）在餐敘中合影。

福建省海外高層次人才招聘團9月12日到波士頓參訪高校，和本地社團領導小聚，13日已轉往紐約。

福建省海外高層次人才招聘團9月11日才在芝加哥西郊舉辦了一場大規模的高層次人才與項目洽談會，12日再由歐美精英創業家協會，到波士頓參訪哈佛、麻省理工學院等名校，並邀約數名本地重要社團領導人小聚。

福建省人力資源和社會保障廳副廳長湯昭平（左）和歐美精英創業家
協會會長管峰（右）。

該團由福建省人力資源和社會保障廳副廳長湯昭平率隊，包括辦公室主任連長梠，福州市人力資源和社會保障局副局長馮音，廈門市人力資源和社會保障局副局長蔣嬌容，廈門大學人事處處長吳立武等一行五人，由歐美精英創業家協會會長管峰陪同，到波士頓參訪，晚上和浙江大學校友會會長倪繼紅，哈佛大學中國學生學者聯合會前任會長孫陸，哈佛大學醫學院中國學生學者聯合會代表蘇紹坤，中美生物醫藥協會（CABA）會長史相國，紐英崙中華資訊網路協會（NECIＮA）現任會長田田，前任會長王振榕，廈門大學校友會理事范義鳴等人餐敘。

湯昭平強調中央政府非常重視福建省的發展，提供了各項政策優惠，在廈門，平潭自貿區成立後，福建省更加需要人才，這次出訪，希望能從海外吸引更多優秀人才，企業到福建省發展。

連長梠指出，福建省的創業類無償資助金額，最高可達人民幣600萬元，省政府還提供最高達500萬人民幣的風投資金，500萬人民幣的貸款。安家費，科研啟動費，住房補貼等均可高達百萬元。   

CITY OF BOSTON PARTNERS WITH MASS MOCA TO OFFER CITY ARTISTS INDIVIDUALIZED GRANTS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

CITY OF BOSTON PARTNERS WITH MASS MOCA TO OFFER CITY ARTISTS INDIVIDUALIZED GRANTS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

BOSTON - Monday, September 12, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the launch of Boston's Assets for Artists Program, a joint program between the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) that will offer matched savings grants and professional development workshops to artists in Boston. With financial support from the Boston Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and  Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, ten or more Boston artists will receive seed grants of $1,000 - $2,000 to invest in the expansion of their creative enterprise. The grants, together with professional development training and individualized support for business planning, are a proven career-building model to help working artists advance their careers. The individualized, professional development trainings cover a range of topics including personal finance, goal-setting, marketing and public relations, and business planning. "As we continue to invest in individual artists in Boston, we are encouraged by the amount of support we've received from our partners in the arts community to help ensure their growth in Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "Programs likeAssets for Artists offer a range of support services that are helping Boston artists thrive in their chosen profession and contributing to a diverse and creative talent pool in the City of Boston." Assets for Artists is a program founded in 2008 by MASS MoCA with the mission to help artist-entrepreneurs achieve financial stability and business growth. Assets for Artists partners with various cultural organizations to bring its innovative programming to communities throughout the northeast. The program has assisted more than 500 artists in five states, leveraging over $500,000 in working capital for individual artists, while delivering hundreds of hours of practical, artist-focused financial and business training. "It's exciting for us to extend this well-tested program into Boston's vibrant and growing community of artists," said MASS MoCA Director Joseph Thompson. "This program - and Route 2 - is a two-way street: we learn a lot about the differing needs of artists in each community served by Asset for Artists." Keeping artists in Boston is a stated goal of the Boston Creates Cultural Plan, launched earlier this summer.  Assets for Artists will be a key implementation initiative for the plan, providing educational opportunities and business development training for local artists. "We are so pleased to be able to expand opportunities for Boston artists to receive the well-honed services of the Assets for Artists program," said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "It's exciting to bring together this partnership in support of the largest and most diverse artist community of any city in New England." Assets for Artists is accepting applications from Boston-based artists until September 30, 2016. For more information about the program and its guidelines, visit https://assetsforartists.org/

紐英崙玉山科協講座談生醫科技界不斷裁員真正原因

紐英崙玉山科技協會會長凌秀美（前左三起）與講者莫升元，前會長許翠玲，波士頓經文處經濟組組長石大玲（後左三）等人會後合影。（周菊子攝）

（Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導）儘管美國經濟近來有復甦跡象，生物醫藥、科技界仍不斷傳出大幅度裁員消息，紐英崙玉山科技協會（MJNE）9月10日中午，特地在劍橋市微軟研發中心舉辦講座，邀請聯合健康集團策略及創新總監莫升元博士，以“大幅裁員及資深主管薪資過高？要怪波士頓諮詢顧問公司及麥肯錫顧問公司？”為題，解析原由及因應之道。

紐英崙玉山科協辦講座，波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉（中）出席打

氣，玉山科協會長凌秀美（左），曾任會長的康麗雪（右）接待。

（周菊子攝）

莫升元指出，近年來，產業界陸續傳出思科將裁員5,500，英代爾砍掉12,000個職位，國際商業機器公司（IBM）繼續裁員，刪減總數可能高達14,000，百奧健（Biogen）重組，刪減人力11%等等消息，讓人不禁好奇，美國企業到底是怎麼做出這些決定的，聘用波士頓諮詢集團或麥肯錫顧問公司，真能解決問題嗎？

聯合健康集團的策略及創新總監莫升元主講。（周菊子攝）

曾經在波士頓諮詢顧問（BCG）公司工作，其後轉進聯合健康集團任職，高升至策略及創新總監的莫升元指出，美國公司經常藉重整組織，裁員，來達到提高盈利率的目的。2015年資料顯示，在美就業者平均一生要換七個雇主，預計到2030年時，這數據將更新為平均一生要換十個雇主。他希望這講座能讓大家知道，在美國裁員是很普通的事，各人要保持平常心，做好自己可能被裁的心裡準備。

莫升元在分析時指出，一家公司成長到一定程度，多半呈菱形，做決策時上下溝通要經過太多層，效率差，因此會以裁員，重整組織結構來把公司變成越扁越好的三角形。再者，公司高階主管薪資，多半靠股權來攀高，公司股票的每股盈利（EPS）往往成為他們是否決定整頓公司的指標。

聯合健康集團的策略及創新總監莫升元博士。（周菊子攝）

由於裁員涉及情面，公司內部政治等多種因素，為免尷尬，大公司多半都從外面聘請顧問公司執行。波士頓諮詢，麥肯錫，貝恩等，是業內最知名的三家公司。他們和公司的資深副總裁或執行長之類的高階主管攜手，根據公司想要節省多少錢，打算裁多少人，有沒有新的投資等條件，來制定裁員計劃。

在講座中，莫升元還帶出席者玩了一個組織重整遊戲，讓出席者思考作為公司主管，要如何理順公司營運，如何促使不同部門合作得更融洽，以及一旦併購其他公司後，要如何藉由一輪重新面試，審閱履歷表，啟動一輪新裁員，來達到整頓公司的效果等等。

            紐英崙玉山科協理事長凌美秀表示，該會每月都舉辦活動，這天的講題對本地生化業者來說，非常貼切實用。十月一日，該會將舉辦本年度年會，主題是“創意及創新-以影響帶動改變（Creativity and Innovation – Leading Change with Impact）“。

麻州長宣佈九月是麻州蘋果月

Governor Baker Declares September as Massachusetts Apple Month

BOSTON – September 12, 2016 – Governor Charlie Baker today declared September as “Massachusetts Apple Month” to support Massachusetts apple growers, especially during the current drought conditions. The declaration was followed by a visit to Wojick Orchard in Blackstone by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux.

“Massachusetts Apple Month’ is an opportunity to recognize the hard work local apple growers do to produce delicious and healthy fruit from Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “I encourage everyone to support Massachusetts’ farmers this month by purchasing locally grown apples and other produce.”

“Despite a very challenging growing season, farmers have been working very hard to bring quality products to farm stands and farmers’ markets, and they have succeeded in doing so,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Apple growers also help support our local and regional economies and participate in a wide variety of conservation efforts and renewable energy projects that advance the protection of the environment.”

Massachusetts boasts more than 140 varieties of apples grown in the state, including local favorites such as McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Gala and Honeycrisp. According to the United States Apple Association, apples contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium and are excellent sources of fiber, natural plant-based anti-oxidants and the mineral boron – which promotes healthy bones.

“The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources encourages consumers to visit their local farmers’ markets, farmstands and pick-your-own operations.  There’s plenty of healthy, high-quality, locally-grown product there that will taste delicious in meals and snacks,” said MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux.  “There’s no denying our farmers have had a lot of challenges thrown their way this season; we can greatly help them by purchasing and enjoying their nutritious harvest.”

With approximately 340 apple orchards in Massachusetts on over 4,000 acres of land, the Commonwealth yielded over 28 million pounds of apples worth $20 million in 2012.

Visit MDAR’s farm finder to find information on Massachusetts apple orchards, pick-your-own apple farms, farmers' markets, and roadside produce stands.

Boston Arts Academy receives national 'Schools of Opportunity' Silver Recognition

BAA student, Duke Atkinson, participates in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programming (Credit: Michael Blanchard) Boston Arts Academy receives national 'Schools of Opportunity' Silver Recognition

Boston, MA - Monday, September 12, 2016 - Boston Arts Academy is one of only 20 schools from across the country to receive recognition as a "School of Opportunity," a coveted national designation honoring excellent public high schools that engage in practices that build on students' strengths and create supported learning opportunities for all students. "This honor is evidence of how public education can serve our students," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We're continuing to strive in our work to close opportunity and achievement gaps and meet the diverse needs of every student. Congratulations to the students and staff of the Boston Arts Academy." The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), based at the University of Colorado Boulder, sponsors the Schools of Opportunity project, which identifies excellent public high schools that actively strive to close opportunity gaps - the differences in opportunities and resources that drive the well-known achievement gaps. "On behalf of the School Committee, I would like to extend congratulations to the students and educators at BAA," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "This institution has demonstrated a creative and unique method for supporting students. We're extremely proud of this accomplishment." Applications went through four levels of screening by review teams comprised of researchers, teachers, policy makers and administrators, who looked at school practices that fell into categories, such as create and maintain healthy school culture;broaden and enrich school curriculum; use a variety of assessments designed to respond to student needs; and support teachers as professionals. "Our goal at BPS is to transform the lives of each and every single child for the better through education," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "Being part of 'Schools of Opportunity' is a great honor. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the BAA community has focused its efforts on building up every student through the arts, as well as through building a supportive and nurturing environment. We are extremely excited for them as they are recognized for this work." With a large economically disadvantaged population, Boston Arts Academy enrolls student who had limited access to arts education prior to enrollment. The school leverages interest in the arts to provide a strong academic program that builds self-confidence along with talent. Unlike many public schools for the arts, the academy does not use test scores, grades or attendance to determine admittance and it deliberately builds diversity. "Boston Arts Academy's innovative approach to curriculum and student support particularly stood out to the national team of reviewers," said Carol Burris, School of Opportunity project co-director. As part of a lengthened school day, students attend academic classes and 2.5 hours of daily arts classes. "Schools play a key role in a student's life and learning, and we should hold up excellent schools as exemplars," explains Kevin Welner NEPC director and project co-director. "Students' learning arises from more than just what happens in school. Research suggests that about one-third of variance among students' test scores can be attributed to schools, with the remainder likely due to poverty-related factors. Because schools play this important but not controlling role in measured learning, the Schools of Opportunity project rejects the idea that test scores identify the nation's best schools." "We instead offer an alternative way of assessing school quality-one that focuses on the day-to-day practices that schools choose to use," said Welner. "We call attention to research-based practices to support all students and their teachers, thereby creating engaged and successful learning environments." For more information about the Schools of Opportunity project, including descriptions of all recognized schools, visit opportunitygap.org. "The arts have the power to transform lives," says Headmaster Anne R. Clark. "For many students, including students who struggle academically or suffer from social/emotional issues, the arts are a pathway to success. The arts develop creativity, critical thinking skills, self-discipline, perseverance, and the ability to work collaboratively. At Boston Arts Academy, we push students to take creative risks and to use the arts to advocate for causes they believe in."

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded more than $2.4 million in workforce training fund grants to 25 companies to train current or newly hired workers. This round of grant funding will help train 2,162 workers, and is expected to create 263 new jobs.

“We have made workforce development a priority for Massachusetts residents to get the skills they need to prosper and for companies to have a talented pool of workers to expand,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The training and career-building skills provided by these investments will help bolster economic prosperity and success throughout the Commonwealth.”

The Workforce Training Fund assists Massachusetts businesses in becoming more competitive by investing in the skills of their workers. The Workforce Training Fund is also a key resource to thousands of Massachusetts workers who wish to advance their skills to achieve promotional opportunities and higher wages. It also acts as a catalyst for job creation.

 “The Workforce Training Fund is a vital tool for many companies to upgrade employees’ skills and increase productivity,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “The training helps both the workers and the companies compete in a global environment.”

The Workforce Training Fund provides grants of up to $250,000 to companies in Massachusetts, to pay for workforce training over a two-year period. Grants are awarded to projects that will upgrade workers’ skills, increase productivity, and enhance the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Grants are matched dollar-for-dollar by the award recipients.

The Workforce Training Fund is a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education and workforce organizations to strengthen skills for youth and adults in order to help them thrive in the state’s economy.

“With these grants, companies are making a commitment to enhance the skills of their workers, which not only helps businesses be more competitive, it boosts the state’s overall economy when more people are better trained,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baker-Polito administration and the Workforce Training Fund grant, which will allow us to grow in Massachusetts,” said Curtis Schmidt, senior manager of radar industrialization at Autoliv Incorporated. “Autoliv is committed to saving more lives and to providing world class automotive safety through training our employees to be more knowledgeable, efficient, and to help them be exceptional leaders.”

“For almost 20 years, companies have benefitted from the Workforce Training Fund, enabling them to give their employees the most up-to-date skills, while positioning their business for growth,” Nancy Snyder, president and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Corporation said. “Many business owners tell us they would not be able to make this type of investment in their workforce without these grants.”

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation hope to encourage businesses to address workforce training needs through the Workforce Training Fund. The fund awards more than $1 million each month, on a rolling basis throughout the year. Interested parties are encouraged to visit WorkforceTrainingFund.org to learn more.

The following is a complete list of the grant recipients awarded Workforce Training Fund Grants today (listed by community):