Massachusetts Celebrates Women in Construction Wee

 Massachusetts Celebrates Women in Construction Week

Healey-Driscoll Administration highlights and promotes the role of women in the construction industry 

UPTON — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) joined Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) this week to celebrate Women in Construction Week, a national and state recognition to promote the role of women in the construction industry. 

 

“In Massachusetts, we know the importance of building a workforce that reflects the talent and potential of all of our communities. Women in Construction Week is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of hard-working women across the industry, from the skilled trades to project management, said Governor Healey. “By expanding access to training, registered apprenticeships, and career pathways, we are ensuring that more women can enter and succeed in these good-paying, family-sustaining jobs. A diverse and inclusive construction workforce is good for our families and our economy.”

 

“Our Administration is proud to celebrate Women in Construction Week because expanding opportunities for women and historically underrepresented groups strengthens our workforce, fuels economic growth, and opens doors to sustainable careers”, said Lt. Governor Driscoll. “I'm grateful for the training programs dedicated to empowering workers and expanding opportunities. Their commitment helps ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead in building a skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce.”

 

During a visit to BVT, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones toured the school’s hands-on learning construction training programs and met with girls in the high school’s construction programs. Building on Governor Maura Healey’s signing of an Executive Order in December 2024 to promote Women and Diversity in Construction, today’s visit by Secretary Jones underscored the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to building diverse talent pipelines for the construction industry in Massachusetts. BVT is a partner of Massachusetts Girls in Trade, an organization that encourages girls to pursue careers in the construction trades.

 

“Women in Construction Week is an opportunity to showcase the amazing women in construction, celebrate increased exposure for girls to learn about careers in construction, and encourage women to join the industry,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Through the recent Executive Order, continued investment in Registered Apprenticeship, and great partnerships, we are working every day to increase access to training and career opportunities right here in Massachusetts for women and people of color.”

 

The Executive Order also establishes a Diverse and Equitable Construction Workforce Participation Committee within the Governor’s Office for facilitating interagency collaboration and identifies and encourages best practices for state agencies to encourage equitable workforce participation in construction, such as utilizing registered apprentices, hiring local businesses and those with a record of hiring women and underrepresented groups, and encouraging contractors to provide supportive services like child care. The Committee will also work with state agencies on data collection to measure the workforce participation of women and underrepresented groups. Secretary Jones serves as Chair of the committee, which will convene for its first quarterly meeting in March. 

 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been dedicated to opening doors, empowering women, and helping shape a stronger, more inclusive workforce,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “Massachusetts offers several educational pathways for construction careers, including pre-apprenticeship programs, Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, and registered apprenticeships. Women in Construction Week should be about broadening horizons and challenging stereotypes.”

 

"It was an honor to welcome Secretary Jones to our campus for an in-depth look at career technical education during Women in Construction Week," said BVT's Superintendent-Director, Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick. "It was an ideal opportunity to visit programs in our construction pathway and meet female students in these trades. Our students demonstrate high-level technical training with modern tools and equipment acquired through the state's Capital Skills Grant program, which they will use in their construction industry career."

 

“As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, the Massachusetts Building Trades Union is proud to recognize the progress we’ve made and the work still ahead to ensure every woman who wants a career in the trades has the opportunity to succeed” said Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Union. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to expand opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and build an even more diverse and inclusive union membership.” 

 

Following her visit to Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational School, Secretary Jones toured the Blackstone Valley HUB for Workforce Development and met with learners in the Grafton Job Corps Advanced Manufacturing training program. The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development, established in 2018, provides a centralized location for students to gain the technical and employability skills needed to meet the needs of the region and beyond. The HUB partners closely with the MassHire Central Regional Workforce Board on many state-funded initiatives, including managing the YouthWorks summer and year-round youth employment programs for income teens and young adults in the Blackstone Valley area – helping support 116 youth in getting paid work experience with local employers and the School to Career Connecting Activities program.  

“BV Hub is thrilled to welcome Secretary Jones during Women in Construction Week as we highlight the critical role of women in the trades within our broader workforce development initiatives,” said Joscelyn Young, BV HUB Vice President. “BV Hub remains committed to strengthening workforce development and fostering economic mobility by providing vocational training, career exploration, and hands-on experiences to 21 regional school districts, regional organizations, various industry partners and the broader community. We deeply appreciate the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ investment in these initiatives, which drive meaningful and transformational outcomes for families, businesses, and our regional economy.”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also made strategic investments in Registered Apprenticeship, a proven, effective model in construction and trades in Massachusetts that helps address skills gaps, recruit apprentices, and build a diverse pipeline for construction and other high-demand industries. In November, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $3.2 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW)  to 29 organizations to train and place 514 apprentices across the state. In January, Governor Healey’s FY26 budget proposal recommended $3.3 million for registered apprenticeship programming to increase its use in all sectors and build a coordinated set of pre-apprenticeship programs. 

 

EOLWD’s Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) is responsible for promoting, developing, and servicing registered apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts. DAS maintains more than 800 apprenticeship programs with over 11,000 apprentices currently working with the vast majority in construction but a growing number of apprentices in the building trades, and expansion industries such as manufacturing, life sciences, and health care. 

 

More information about Registered Apprenticeship is available at Mass.gov/Apprenticeship.

麻州政府教育官員發聲明譴責廢除教育部言論

Healey-Driscoll Administration Education Officials Issue Statement Condemning Dismantling of U.S. Department of Education  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration issued the following statements today in response to Linda McMahon’s confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Education and speech on the “Department's Final Mission”:  

Governor Maura Healey: 

"Massachusetts is home to the first public school in the United States, and we have the #1 schools in the country. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Linda McMahon’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education means students and schools would lose out on $2 billion in federal funding for our schools. That means bigger class sizes, fewer reading specialists and support for students with IEPs, less funding for poorer and rural school districts, and an end to after school programs. What Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Linda McMahon are doing is bad for children, bad for schools, and bad for our communities. Congress cannot let this happen."  

Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler: 

“Linda McMahon and the Trump administration’s ‘mission’ to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is dangerous and will have devastating impacts in Massachusetts and across the country. The Department plays a critical role in safeguarding equal access to public education through transparency and accountability. Without it, our most vulnerable students will suffer the most, gutting civil rights protections especially for students with disabilities.  

“The federal government already does not dictate what is taught in a classroom. Harmful efforts to dismantle the Department will lead to increased class sizes and teacher shortages, higher costs to attend institutions of higher education, putting it out of reach for middle income families, and will affect everyone – from families in urban and rural communities. In Massachusetts, we will continue to fight for every student to have access to a high-quality public education and equitable access to affordable higher education opportunities.”  

Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega: 

“Colleges and universities improve lives and have tremendous benefits for our society. Any efforts that restrict these opportunities are harmful to students and our democracy. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education remains dedicated to helping everyone access the career and earnings they seek through higher education. Massachusetts’ far-reaching financial aid programs are proof of this administration’s belief that the doors of opportunity should be open for all.”   

Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston: 

“Massachusetts has the strongest public school system in the nation, and it is built on a shared, bipartisan acknowledgement that steadfast investment in public schools is a public good. Significant federal funding is designed to support low-income students and students with disabilities in particular, and federal funds also help improve teacher effectiveness and the quality of education for all students. Removing those supports will harm students, moving our country backward, not forward.”   

Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw: 

“In communities across Massachusetts, partnerships between early education providers, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions are critical to delivering on the long-term academic success of our students, as well as economic opportunities for their families. Undermining long-standing structures that support access to high-quality learning environments and experiences for all children, especially those with special needs, will have destabilizing and devastating effects for families, communities, and our economy.”   

Massachusetts receives over $2 billion in federal education funding a year. The state is not able to fully replace these funds. The funding helps Massachusetts’ students, educators, schools, campuses, and communities: 

• That money is helping low- and middle-income students afford to go to college. 
• It gives districts in low-income areas funding to help pay for teacher salaries and benefits, school counselors, and homeless liaisons. 

It supports special education, including paying for assistive technology for students with disabilities, professional development and salaries for special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and reading specialists, as well as transportation to help kids to get the services and programming they need and supports those services, like physical therapy, speech therapy, and social workers. 

吳弭市長訂3/19發表市情咨文

(Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 將於3月19日晚上7點，在芬衛區 (Fenway)的米高梅 (MGM) 音樂廳，發表2025年度的市情咨文。

              第七號電視頻道 WHGH將現場轉播，波士頓市有線電視也將從晚上7點到8點，在波士頓市政府的網路平台 (boston.gov/SOTC) 全做場質播。

              活動結束后，波士頓市拍攝的照片將在 Flickr 上提供。

              米高梅 (MGM) 音樂廳的地址為2 Lansdowne Street, Fenway。

MAYOR WU TO DELIVER 2025 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

BOSTON - Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - On Wednesday, March 19, Mayor Michelle Wu will deliver her third annual State of the City Address at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Programming will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Mayor’s remarks beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mayor Wu will hold a brief media availability following the speech. Media planning to attend are asked to RSVP here.  WHEN: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Doors: 5:30 p.m. Program: 7:00 p.m. WHERE: MGM Music Hall at Fenway 2 Lansdowne Street, Fenway

Healey-Driscoll Administration Swears in Members of Fossil Fuel Workforce Commission

Healey-Driscoll Administration Swears in Members of Fossil Fuel Workforce Commission  

2024 Climate Law established special commission to develop a report on the impacts of the clean energy transition on workers employed in fossil fuel industries  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today swore in members of a special commission to study the impacts on the fossil fuel workforce, which was established by the 2024 Climate Law. The Commission on Fossil Fuel Workforce will measure and monitor the impacts on fossil fuel workers and industries and examine the ways to increase access to employment, training, and workforce opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields, and submit a report to the Legislature at the end of the year.  

“People work hard every day to ensure we have a safe and reliable source of energy to heat and power our homes and businesses,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We already have underway efforts to ensure the necessary skills training and job opportunities are available to workers, such as in geothermal energy. This Commission will help us develop a coordinated roadmap for this work with everyone impacted shaping the recommendations.”    

“As we work towards our climate goals, we also need to make sure that both current and future workers have access to the skill development and job training they need to fully participate in our clean energy workforce,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “This Commission will allow our Administration to work collaboratively with labor, employers, training partners, and all stakeholders to ensure workers have the support they need to successfully transition to this growing industry.”    

The Fossil Fuel Worker Transition Commission will be coordinated jointly by the Office of Energy Transformation (OET) and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. OET was established in 2024 to address the gas-to-electric infrastructure transition and ensure a just transition for workers and businesses.  

Appointees:  

Melissa Lavinson, co-chair 

Executive Director, Office of Energy Transformation  

Josh Cutler, co-chair 

Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development 

Sarah Wilkinson 

Commissioner of Division of Occupational Licensure and Office of Public Safety, Executive Office of Economic Development  

María Belén Power 

Undersecretary of Environmental Justice & Equity  

Jennifer Applebaum 

Managing Director of Workforce Development at MassCEC  

Nikki Bruno 

Vice President, Clean Technologies at Eversource Energy  

Meghan Leahy 

Regional Vice President at Cogentrix Energy, LLC  

Kristen Gowin 

Executive Manager at National Electrical Contractors Association of Greater Boston  

Abel Vargas 

President at Valley Home Insulation  

Amy McGuire 

Senior Director, Market Development at Highland Electric Fleets  

Lawrence Lessard 

Director at Achieve Renewable Energy, LLC  

Mark Melnick 

Director, Economic & Public Policy Research at UMass Donahue Institute  

John Cook 

President at Springfield Technical Community College  

Steve Finnigan 

Sub District Director at United Steelworkers (USW)  

Daniel Leary 

President of Local 369 at Utility Workers Union-America (UWUA)  

David Keating 

International Representative at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)  

Harry Brett 

International Representative at United Association  

Michael Vartabedian 

Assistant Directing Business Representative at International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers  

Frank Callahan 

President, Massachusetts Building Trades Unit (MBTU)  

Greandoll Oliva 

Youth Leader in Chelsea and Community Organizer with GreenRoots  

Ana Sofia 

Senior Program Director at La Colaborativa 

波士頓黃氏宗親會慶蛇年新春 麻州州長Maura Healey鋒頭最勁

波士頓黃氏宗親會三頭新獅，架式十足。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓黃氏宗親會 3月1日晚在帝苑大酒樓筵開50多席，慶祝蛇年新春。穿著一襲白色西裝的麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 揚言，全美沒有哪一州的華人社區比麻州還強，博得全場熱烈掌聲。

波士頓黃氏宗親會和嘉賓，以及教練黃雄心(前左一)率領瑞獅合影。(周菊子攝)

              黃氏宗親會今年的春節聯歡暨敬老大會，不但有三頭新瑞獅，由美東副總長黃偉健，波士頓主席黃光沐，以及前主席黃兆祥點睛，更有州長、州市議員來賀，全美元老，美西總長等外埠宗親遠道而來，氣勢極旺。

               會中還安排奉上紅包給8名90歲以上耆英，送出利市給中華廣教學校與僑立學校的鼓勵後輩向學，瑞獅拋出「人才輩出，族旺枝繁」，「恭喜發財，會務興旺」，「恭喜發財，萬事如意」等吉祥語，意頭十足。

嘉賓接受瑞獅祝賀。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey(中)和左起，黃官羨，黃惠聰，潘焱黃國威，
黃周麗桃、陳曲鋒，黃卓才，以及黃氏主席黃光沐(後右)。(周菊子攝)

             毫無疑問，當晚鋒頭最勁的就是麻州州長奚莉。她在邀約她出席的黃周麗桃陪伴下，一進門就停不了的握手寒暄，應邀合影。見到黃氏婦女部，更是高興得合不攏嘴的要捍衛女權。

麻州州長Maura Healey(中)和州市議員們一起奉上紅包敬老，向黃官羨，黃萬，
黃福昇，黃國亮，黃文操，黃碧洪，黃根鍊，余黃寶絲等耆老拜年。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey強調麻州華人最棒。(周菊子攝)

                             波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)今年競選連任，原本也預定出席黃氏公所春宴，不料當晚傍晚5點半多，後灣區發生休班警察擊斃一名持刀兇嫌案件，未克出席。

              奚莉州長說，她聽說蛇年是特別幸運的年份，而現在或許是得有些真正的好運。總之她很激動，這晚來到這兒，謝謝黃氏宗親會的邀請，以及黃氏所有成員一整年的努力。她還點名當晚出席的麻州參議員Nick Collins，麻州眾議員黃子安、陳德基，以及波士頓市議員Ed Flynn， Erin Murphy等人。

              奚莉州長知道這晚有來自洛杉磯，紐約，舊金山等地的人出席，而她想要大家知道，全美沒有哪個地方的華人社區比麻州波士頓還強，包括波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華 (Philip Eng)，麻州經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平，都是華人。

              她還希望大家知道，她是一個重視多元化的人，因為整個麻州歷史就見證著許多化融合，使得麻州成為一個更強大的州。

              已表態將競選連任的奚莉州長也藉機會說明，她知道社區民眾關注可負擔住宅，尊敬耆老，例如座中現年已95歲的黃官羨等耆老，重視教育，希望醫療健保可負擔，交通也便利等等。她希望繼續努力，讓麻州成為一個最棒，最適宜居住的州，無論是在教育、醫療健保或創新上，都是全美第一的州。

右起，麻州眾議員陳德基、黃子安和麻州參議員(左起)Nick Collins
送上表揚狀，波士頓黃氏主席黃光沐，美東副總長黃偉健代表接受。(周菊子攝)

              駐紐約中國總領事館這晚有領僑處處長潘焱，領事陳曲鋒前來拜年。潘焱先為自己不會說廣東話致歉，接著感謝黃氏宗親會過去一年來熱心幫助僑胞，積極維護僑胞的合法權益，弘揚中國傳統文化，為中美關係發展和兩國人民的友好交往，做出重要貢獻。

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn(右一)、Erin Murphy(左二)送上表揚狀，
波士頓黃氏主席黃光沐(中)，美東副總長黃偉健(右二)，波士頓消防局
副局長黃瑞瑜代表接受。(周菊子攝)

              黃氏宗親會的全美元老黃卓才，美西總長黃惠聰，副總長黃若愚，紐約副主席黃啟超，三藩市副主席黃勁宏等，這晚有多名黃氏宗親從外地來賀。

              這晚的蛇年春宴由黃瑞瑜、黃紹培擔任司儀，黃氏婦女部演唱祖訓歌及新年歌之外，還有宗親黃兆祥 (Justin Wong)彈吉他，元老黃國威和老搭檔雷玉霞等獻唱。

             由於波士頓黃氏宗親會主席黃光沐同時也是紐英崙潮州同鄉會副會長，這晚潮州同鄉會的會長林全峰率同副會長楊光霖，宋良銘等人到會支持，宋良銘還一舉抽中當晚最大獎，現金300元。(更新版)

波士頓黃氏送上利市給中華廣教學校和僑立學校，
由雷國輝(左二)，江輝輝((中)代表領取。(周菊子攝)

黃氏婦女部獻唱組訓歌，新年歌。(周菊子攝)

黃氏婦女部和麻州州長Maura Healey合影。(周菊子攝)

黃氏宗親、嘉賓和麻州州長Maura Healey合影。右起，羅省元老黃卓才，
波士頓美東副總長黃偉健，主席黃光沐，元老黃官羨，元老黃國威，
中文秘書黃光野，財政黃開洪，美西副總長黃若愚。(周菊子攝)

黃氏主席黃光沐致詞。(周菊子攝)

中領館領僑處處長潘焱致詞。。(周菊子攝)

黃氏美西總長黃惠聰。。(周菊子攝)

黃氏紐約副主席黃啟超。。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝。。(周菊子攝)

伍胥山公所美東副總長伍輝民。。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey(右三)和州市議員，黃周麗桃(前左四)。。(周菊子攝)

波士頓黃氏主席黃光沐把300元現金獎交給潮州同鄉會副會長
宋良銘(右)。。(周菊子攝)

波士頓黃氏主席黃光沐(左一)，美東副總長黃偉健(右二)，司儀黃紹培(右一)
把現金獎100元發給得獎者雷展灝。。(周菊子攝)

潮州同鄉會會長林全峰(右二)和副會長宋良銘(右一)、楊光霖(右三)到場支持同為
該會副會長，也是波士頓黃氏宗親會主席的黃光沐(左一)。。(周菊子攝)

潮州同鄉會這桌在抽獎時最熱情，就真的抽中最大獎。。(周菊子攝)

黃周麗桃(中右)請麻州州長Maura Healey和她的小幫手們合影。

黃氏宗親歌手黃兆祥 (Justin Wong)獻唱。。(周菊子攝)

黃氏元老黃國威和老搭檔雷玉霞合唱。(周菊子攝)

波士頓黃氏蛇年春宴席開50多桌。(周菊子攝)

波士頓黃氏宗親慶新春 麻州州長來道賀 (黃定國圖片輯)

黃氏醒獅隊展示祥龍騰躍功夫。

麻州州長Maura Healey(中)和黃氏婦女部合影。

麻州州長Maura Healey和黃氏元老、職員及嘉賓們合影。

 

紐英崙伍胥山公所訂4月27日慶祝76週年

前排左起，伍偉業、伍振中，伍煥華、伍輝民，伍鍾美貞、伍煥華夫人，
李伍碧香，伍詹淑慧等宗親在宗親們為76週年慶製作的大布幔前合影。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙伍胥山公所將於4月27日迎接蛇年新春，慶祝成立76週年，公所幹部忙碌非常，3月1日再次在波士頓華埠泰勒街會址，分派任務，匯報籌備進展，還一起聆聽司徒福柱講解樓業保險調漲原由。

伍振中(右起)、伍偉業、伍煥華，伍輝民(左一)等伍氏宗親3月1日
在會所開會，籌備76週年慶。(周菊子攝)

              伍氏元老伍煥華指出，為了讓後輩宗親看到前輩們的努力，鼓勵下一代傳承宗族歷史，波士頓伍氏公所決定在今年慶祝成立76週年之際，印製特刊，同時表揚歷年來對公所有貢獻人士。

根據全美伍氏宗親會記錄，最早從波士頓去參加全美懇親大會的是伍福群。1965年時，他單槍匹馬，帶過去65名宗親捐給的381元懇親費。其中有27人每人捐3元，可見當年宗親的儘管過得刻苦，對家族宗親卻毫不吝嗇的心意。

那時候，波士頓伍氏公所租用了好事福街14號做會址。

              1979年，波士頓伍氏宗親才發起購買會址的募款活動，並在本地與外埠宗親們少則10元，多至5000元的慷慨解囊支持中，買下泰勒街22號一棟4層樓房，從此成為「有殼蝸牛」。

              由於黃伍一家親的歷史淵源，波士頓黃氏宗親會當年也有46人捐了9650元。

              伍煥華表示，從1978到2025年間，伍氏公所歷經19名主席悉心經營，出過伍育俊，伍伯和，伍煥華等3名全美元老，以及伍輝民這位現任美東副總長。還有曾任波士頓國民黨常委的李伍綺蓮，創辦中華耆英會的梅伍銀寬，迄今當了15年僑聲音樂社社長的李伍碧香，曾任中華廣教學校副校長的伍鍾美貞，也是全美洪門致公堂元老的伍伯和，曾任波士頓安良工商會會長的伍偉業，曾任國際獅子會波士頓會長的伍國光，以及創辦神筆基金會，全世界首個龍舟博物館的伍振忠等人，為波士頓僑社服務，伍氏公所希望藉由會刊為伍氏歷史留下點傳承記載。