星期五, 6月 13, 2014

Inaugural Certificate Program and Internship Model will Change Lives for Graduates by Creating a Pipeline to Skilled Jobs

Inaugural Certificate Program and Internship Model will Change Lives for Graduates by Creating a Pipeline to Skilled Jobs


BOSTON, June 13, 2014 – Building upon the Patrick Administration’s commitment to help strengthen the Commonwealth’s community colleges’ workforce development programs, Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor recently recognized graduates of the joint certificate and internship program developed by Bunker Hill Community College and the Department of Revenue (DOR) to educate students who have chosen a career in taxation or auditing. The certificate program was launched last fall.  Students who successfully completed the prerequisite courses were then accepted into a paid internship program at DOR which included rotations in auditing and taxpayer services. 
 
“This is a great collaboration between our community college system and the Department of Revenue which will help address the need for skilled workers through college-based training,” said Secretary Shor.

Bunker Hill Community College, in partnership with DOR, began offering the new taxation certificate program in the spring of 2013.  As part of the new curriculum, students participated in presentations from DOR staff on Massachusetts state tax law. Upon completion of the class curriculum, students enrolled in the certificate program who met certain GPA requirements, also participated in a 17-week internship at DOR. In addition to the rigorous certificate program, Bunker Hill and DOR collaborated on the Business Administration Associate Degree with a Taxation Option that was added to the curriculum this spring.

“The students just finished up their internships at DOR, where they spent several months working in auditing and taxpayer services,” said DOR Commissioner Amy Pitter.  “This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to work with the students and really get to know one another.  We have openings here at DOR and this group of interns is exactly who we are hoping to attract.”

“We are so pleased with the success of this new partnership with the Department of Revenue, which has given our students not only internship opportunities but job offers. It's a win-win for our students and the program," said Pam Eddinger, President of Bunker Hill Community College.

Commissioner Pitter also noted that the program at Bunker Hill Community College has helped DOR to identify and attract students looking to change careers and acquire mid-level skills for a professional career in taxation. DOR reached out to Bunker Hill Community College to help create the program in the face of a critical shortage of workers. The department anticipates losing a considerable number of longtime, skilled employees over the next five years due to retirement or new opportunities.

In total, nine students completed the taxation certificate and internship programs.  Some of the students who successfully completed the program may be offered positions at DOR.

逾百民眾聚集柯普利廣場要求最低時薪提高到十五元


數以百計民眾響應“低薪工人行動日”,昨(十二)日下午匯聚在波士頓市科普利廣場前,舉標語牌,喊口號,要求政府把最低時薪提高到十五元。
        “低薪工人行動日”是由大波士頓廿八個組織發起的行動,主要有三點訴求,包括更好的工資,受尊重及享尊嚴,在工作場所有發言權。華人前進會是其中唯一來自華埠社區組織。
            組織者在會場派發的傳單指出,快餐店及零售業員工此起彼落的罷工,已在美國為爭取經濟正義注入了新能量。麥當勞,沃爾瑪等大企業開股東會時發生的大型示威,也清楚顯示,那些公司再沒藉口只付很低薪資。
        華人前進會派陳玉珍做翻譯,昨日在會場上協助醫療資源(Medical Resources)公司華裔員工曹玲珠站台做見證,指出華人前進會介入,協助員工們與公司商議後,他們的薪水增加了,但增加得極少。
            華人前進會工人互助中心余翠鳳表示,該會今年五月十發信給提供居家護理服務的醫療資源公司,要求代表工人與公司開會,改善工人工作環境。他們提出了六點要求,包括把最低薪資提高到生活薪資(living wage)的每小時十三點七六元,花紅按百分比計算,在公眾假期工作應發給雙倍工資,往返時間(travel time)也應獲得全部工資,發給有薪病假,有薪假期等。
            余翠鳳表示,前前後後,約有七十名醫療資源公司員工曾到前進會求助。該公司還未和前進會晤談,但已於六月六日前調整了部分員工薪資,原本時薪九元者,提高至九元五角,十元者,加了幾分錢等。
            波士頓市健康及人民服務長(Chief of Health and Human Services)小阿若約(Felix Arroyo)昨日特地趕到會場,向示威人群表示,波士頓市長也關心低薪民眾收入不足以維生的難處,將多方面研究改善方法。
            示威群眾昨日在柯普利廣場集會後,轉往有工友抱怨的數家公司,包括溫蒂快餐店(Wendy’s),醫療資源公司,以及合法海鮮(Legal Seafood)店等門前,遊行示威。

圖片說明:
             陳玉珍(前右)做翻譯,協助醫療資源(Medical Resources)公司華裔員工曹玲珠站台做見證。(菊子攝) 
          包括華人前進會榮譽主席湯建華(坐者右一),執委梁德生(立者右一)等,昨日約有廿多名華人在場,參加示威。(菊子攝)
            華人前進會向醫療資源公司提出的六點要求,昨日以大字報形式,在會場中展示。(菊子攝)
            波士頓市健康及人民服務長(Chief of Health and Human Services)小阿若約(Felix Arroyo)昨日特地趕到會場,表達波士頓市長關懷心意。(菊子攝)

華埠社區聯盟 談波市公校預算 報告綠路活動


華埠社區聯盟(TCC)昨(十二)日舉行月例會,報告健康項目執行結果,簡介波士頓公校預算編列概況,說明綠路保護會現狀,提出修建喜露街五十號構想。
            塔芙茨大學學生郝心希(譯音,Cynthia Hau)昨日報告,在塔芙茨醫療中心資助下,塔大與王氏華埠青年會合作,為亞裔耆英提供六個月免費會籍,根據亞裔的文化及語言來設計活動,鼓勵耆英定期參加,培養健康習慣,改善飲食營養。大約五十個人參加,六個月下來,無論是身體功能,認知程度,抑鬱程度,都有改善。該項目也因此獲獎,受邀於十一月到美國公共衛生協會年會做報告。
            伍綺玲卸任波士頓華埠社區中心行政主任一職後,轉往波士頓公校總部辦公室工作。她昨日報告波市公校預算編定概況,指出波市公校為彌補經費短缺,正計劃廢除為七,八年級學生提供的巴士校車服務。波市公校人事部,也因缺經費,要裁員一半。她表示,教育關乎子女,社會的未來,華埠社區也應該關心公校經費的運用。
        綠路保護會(Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservance)新上任的行政主任Jesse Brackenbury在會中報告,綠路和其他公園不同的地方在於,所有維護管理全由綠路自行處理,地方政府並不介入。他指出,綠路每年舉辦三百場以上的免費活動,義工服務時間不下三千小時,去年共有八十多萬人參加過綠路的活動。整條綠路從2010年底起,就已經為民眾提供免費寬頻上網(Wifi)的便利。
            昨日還有哈佛學生報告他們參加聯邦住宅貸款銀行比賽,製作的修建喜露街五十號構想。

圖片說明:

            華埠社區聯盟開會。

            塔芙茨大學學生郝心希(譯音,Cynthia Hau)昨日報告“健康習慣”計劃獲獎。

            綠路保護會(Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservance)新上任的行政主任Jesse Brackenbury盼華埠民眾多使用綠路公園,加入義工行列。

星期四, 6月 12, 2014

麻州州長: 麻州已成全球創新中心

 
麻州州長派區克(Deval Patrick)昨(十二)日出席“創新狀況論壇(State of Innovation Forum)”,稱麻州已成為全球創新樞紐。
派區克在數位媒體公司波士頓創新(BostInno)所辦,約1500名業界領袖,創業者,學生,專業人士參加的“創新狀況論壇(State of Innovation Forum)“中表示,無論是經濟,政府,甚至社會,麻州已成為創新的環球樞紐。那是麻州長處所在,也是為什麼麻州未來光明。

            今年四月時,派區克簽署“推廣成長及機會法(An Act to Promote Growth and Opportunity),宣佈一套經濟發展計劃,提供新工具及訓練,以期麻州人力符合僱主需要;投資進門戶城市,為創造就業機會極刺激經濟提供優惠,以推廣整個麻州發展。       
            他說,麻州正推動著前所未有的公家機關和私人企業合作關係,促進了創新經濟的成長與競爭力。譬如麻州生命科學中心已成為世界上卓越生命科學群發展的催化劑。過去六年來,該中心在整個麻州投資或承諾了五億兩千萬元,促成十五億元的相關私人企業投資。
            ”麻州挑戰(MassChallenge)“已成為世界上最大的初創公司加速器,還正在做國際拓展。489名麻州挑戰“校友”所創辦的公司,籌募了四億七千兩百萬元,創造了3900個工作機會。
            麻州州政府和企業界支持,設在霍利奧克(Holyoke)的高性能計算中心現在已成為共用設備,容許麻州五所最大的研究大學做前衛研究。
            麻州住宅及經濟發展長畢樂奇(Greg Bialecki)表示,政府選擇了能夠為每個居民擴展經濟機會,持續加速發展創新經濟的政策。
 
            麻州科技界共有廿萬份工作職位,一萬三千五百家公司,經濟產出達到1560億元左右。勞工統計局的一份2012年報告在評估全美的高科技就業機會成長時,把麻州排為第二名。

            也是在2012年,麻州州長派區克任命了麻州的第一個政府創新長(Government Innovation Office),以協助州內居民,企業及地方政府使用科技來改善工作表現及生活。

            麻州州長派區克昨日還出席了創意企業高峰會(Creative Industries Summit),談論麻州在教育,創新,基礎設施上的投資,支持了約有十萬名工作人員,十億元經濟影響力的這創意經濟及創新行業。

            麻州在2007年時,成為全美第一個設立創意經濟工業主任(Economy Industry Director)職位的州。2008年,派區克簽署法案,成立創意經濟會(Creative Economy Council),推動“下一步創意資源會議項目(CreativeNEXT Resource Meeting program)”等一系列方案。

GOVERNOR PATRICK DISCUSSES STRENGTH OF INNOVATION ECONOMY; TOUTS COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION TO STIMULATE CONTINUED GROWTH

Boston – Thursday, June 12, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined over 1,500 business leaders, entrepreneurs, students and professionals to discuss the strength of Massachusetts’ nation-leading innovation economy and the continued need to invest in these sectors to benefit our collective future at BostInno and Streetwise Media’s State of Innovation Forum.

“Massachusetts has become a global hub of innovation -- in our economy, in government, throughout our society,” said Governor Patrick. “That's where our competitive edge lies and why our future is bright.”

Thursday’s event united leaders in the innovation sector and explored the state of innovation across the Commonwealth’s strongest industries – including marketing, big data, mobile, transportation, retail, e-commerce and education. The event was sponsored by BostInno, a digital media and events company, which is part of the Streetwise Media network.

In April, Governor Deval Patrick announced an economic development package that provides new tools and training so the Commonwealth’s workforce is prepared to meet the needs of employers, invests in its Gateway Cities to promote development across the entire state and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The Governor’s bill, An Act to Promote Growth and Opportunity, builds on the Administration’s proven growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure that has led to record job creation in Massachusetts and made the Commonwealth a global leader in key innovation economy sectors. For more information on the bill, please visit www.mass.gov/compete.

Massachusetts is making unprecedented public private-collaborations, which are fueling growth and competition in the innovation economy. For example, the Massachusetts Life Science Center has been a catalyst for the development of the world’s preeminent life sciences cluster. Over the past six years, the Massachusetts Life Science Center has invested or committed $520 million across the state, which has leveraged more than $1.5 billion private investment for these companies and facilities.

MassChallenge has become the world’s largest startup accelerator and is expanding internationally. The 489 MassChallenge alumni startups have raised over $472 million in outside funding and created over 3,900 jobs. A new green high-performance computing center in Holyoke, supported by government and business, now serves as a shared facility enabling cutting-edge work at the state’s five largest research universities.

“Massachusetts continues to be a global hub of innovation due to our comprehensive economic development strategy and key investments in education,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “We are choosing policies that will extend economic opportunity to every resident of the Commonwealth and continue to accelerate our thriving innovation economy.”

Massachusetts’ economic recovery has been largely fueled by its strong, diverse and interdisciplinary technology sector. This sector of the state’s innovation economy has proven to be one of the strongest in the world, and continues to advance technology and research in areas like the life sciences, cleantech, software, digital marketing, e-commerce, big data, eHealth and robotics. The Massachusetts technology sector includes over 200,000 direct jobs, over 13,500 firms and an estimated $156 billion of economic output. A 2012 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Massachusetts second in the Nation high tech job growth.

Recognizing the direct tie between innovation and the evolution of the Massachusetts economy, Governor Patrick has lead the charge to find innovative ways to change the way government does business by improving efficiency and streamlining the delivery of government services. In 2012, the Patrick Administration named the Commonwealth’s first Government Innovation Office to improve the experience of state government for citizens, businesses and municipalities while also working to boost internal government efficiencies, leverage technology to improve services and save money and improve performance for state employees and residents alike.

The Patrick Administration is committed to providing the tools and resources to support innovation across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s Council for Innovation, established by Governor Patrick in 2012, engages experts and entrepreneurs to help the Commonwealth make targeted investments in new technology and offers advice on the best opportunities to improve government efficiency and use technology to streamline delivery of services to people, businesses and local governments.

“Innovation has been the hallmark of our efforts to make government more efficient and customer friendly,” said Secretary for Administration and Finance Glen Shor.

Later today, Governor Patrick will address the Creative Industries Summit, to discuss how the Administration’s investments in education, innovation and infrastructure have supported innovation and the creative economy in Massachusetts. With over 100,000 workers and a $1 billion statewide economic impact, the creative industries in Massachusetts are an integral part of the Massachusetts economy.

The creative industries include many interlocking sectors, which provide creative services or create and promote intellectual property products. The sector includes businesses, organizations and individuals working in marketing, architecture, visual arts, design, film, media, food, digital games, entertainment, music and publishing.

In 2007, Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to establish the position of creative Economy Industry Director which is housed at the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. In 2008, Governor Patrick signed legislation instituting the Creative Economy Council whose purpose is to develop a statewide strategy for growth of the creative economy in Massachusetts. Since that time, the Patrick Administration has launched a number of initiatives to support the creative economy in Massachusetts including the Creative Economy Network, which tracks progress and promotes efforts to support the creative economy on the local, regional and state-wide level.

The Administration has also launched CreativeNEXT Resource Meeting program, a business development program that helps owners of small and medium-sized creative businesses quickly access resources and advice to help grow their enterprises by meeting with an expert panel. These sessions, and one-on-one office hours with the Creative Economy Director, have provided specialized resources to over 100 creative companies.

麻州生命科學中心推出 STEM Equipment and Supplies Grant Program

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is pleased to announce the launch of the fourth round of an open solicitation for capital grants to public schools for the purchase of lab equipment and supplies. This year, both high schools and middle schools are invited to apply for funding. The STEM Equipment and Supplies Grant Program enables the purchase of equipment and supplies to train students in life sciences technology and research as well as addresses a funding gap in capital dollars for public and not-for-profit workforce training and educational institutions. The program also seeks to increase student achievement and student interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as well as support the implementation of state STEM standards.

The program has previously awarded more than $8.4 million to high schools throughout Massachusetts and leveraged more than $1 million in matching funds from the life sciences industry.

Applicants must request funding to purchase equipment and/or supplies to support STEM education that prepares students with the skills needed for future employment in the life sciences. The "life sciences" are defined in the MLSC's enabling legislation as "advanced and applied sciences that expand the understanding of human physiology and have the potential to lead to medical advances or therapeutic applications." Requested equipment and/or supplies must be used to support science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics), technology (e.g. robotics, computer science, etc.), engineering, and/or math education and training. Earth and Space Science, as well as Allied Health training will not qualify for funding.

Funding for this round of the program is only intended for Fiscal Year 2016. Items purchased under the grant must be shipped to grant recipients between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016.

Eligible high schools, as well as community-based organizations that serve such high schools, can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding. Applicants seeking funding of greater than $100,000 (but no more than $250,000) are required to secure matching funds, in cash or as an in-kind donation, for any amount over $100,000 from an industry partner.

Eligible middle schools, as well as community-based organizations that serve such middle schools, can apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding.
In order to be eligible, applicants must be located in Massachusetts and be one of the following:

  • Vocational technical high school (as determined by the Chapter 74 of the General Laws of Massachusetts) or a comprehensive public high school with approved vocational technical program;
  • Public high school or middle school located in a "Gateway City" as determined by Section 3A of Chapter 23A of the General Laws of Massachusetts (Click here to view a list of Gateway Cities);
  • Public high school or middle school with a student population of at least 30% that qualify for free and reduced lunch (a list of schools that meet this criterion is available upon request); or
  • Community-based non-profit organization serving schools that meet the above-stated criteria.

If your school or organization is eligible for funding through this program, please carefully review the Grant Solicitation posted on our website prior to completing the online application:www.masslifesciences.com  

Applications are due on
October 10, 2014 at Noon.

If you have questions about the program after you have reviewed the materials on our website, please send an e-mail to: equip@masslifesciences.com

Best,

Susan Windham Bannister, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Swindham-bannister@masslifesciences.com

Massachusetts Becomes First State in the Nation to Require Utilities to Modernize the Electric Grid

Massachusetts Becomes First State in the Nation to Require Utilities to Modernize the Electric Grid

BOSTON – Thursday, June 12, 2014 – The Patrick Administration today announced that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has issued two groundbreaking orders requiring Massachusetts electric distribution companies to modernize the electric grid, building on the Commonwealth’s national leadership on energy efficiency and renewable energy. With these orders, Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to require electric distribution companies to take affirmative and far-reaching steps to modernize the electric grid. 

“The grid modernization order builds on Governor Patrick’s commitment to strategic investments in innovation and infrastructure, and creates jobs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “By implementing grid modernization, Massachusetts will once again be leading the nation in the clean energy revolution and enabling customers to participate in how and when they consume energy.”

The DPU’s order requires each utility to develop and implement a 10-year grid modernization plan, to be updated regularly. The DPU determined grid modernization will provide several benefits including:

·         Empowering customers to better manage and reduce electricity costs;
·         Enhancing the reliability and resiliency of electricity service in the face of increasingly extreme weather;
·         Encouraging innovation and investment in new technology and infrastructure, strengthening the competitive electricity market;
·         Addressing climate change and meeting clean energy requirements by integrating more clean and renewable power, demand response, electricity storage, microgrids and electric vehicles, and providing for increased amounts of energy efficiency.

The companion order on time varying rates recognizes that the cost of electricity changes dramatically over the course of a day and year.  Currently, most customers pay a flat rate. The time varying order would require utilities to set prices that take into account the varying costs of electricity and allow customers to make informed decisions on their electricity use throughout the day.

Grid modernization and time varying rates also will allow the Commonwealth to reduce peak demand, a tremendous savings opportunity for all customers, not just those who respond to price signals.  Currently, for reliability purposes, all customers pay to have an electric system that can provide power during peak demand periods, even if those periods occur only a few times a year. Grid modernization and time varying rates will lead to lower electricity use during peak demand periods, reducing the need to build new energy infrastructure and saving money for all. 

“This order establishes the platform and the incentives for utilities and other businesses to innovate and invest in new technology, to continue to upgrade our current infrastructure, and to increase the use of renewable energy, electric cars, energy storage, and microgrids,” said DPU Chair Ann Berwick. “At the same time, customers will be empowered to control their electricity use and save money.”

The Patrick Administration’s aggressive clean energy initiatives have made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy and emissions reductions. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has named Massachusetts number one for three years running. Last year, Governor Patrick set a new solar goal after reaching the previous goal of 250 megawatts four years early. The Commonwealth now aims to install 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. The clean energy revolution is yielding economic benefits as well, with 11.8 percent job growth in the last year; nearly 80,000 people are employed in the cleantech industry in Massachusetts.

2nd StartmeupHK Venture Program deadline 7/31

InvestHK, the Department for Foreign Direct Investment of the Hong Kong SAR Government, has just launched the 2nd annual StartmeupHK Venture Program.
Launched in 2013, the StartmeupHK program is a global competition which aims to raise awareness about Hong Kong's potential as Asia's leading hub of entrepreneurship and innovation. Last year the global competition attracted 384 entries from 39 economies. Three entrepreneurs from the United States, New Zealand and Hong Kong were named champions of the 2013 StartmeupHK Venture Program.

This year, the competition is open to applicants from two categories: early to growth stage ventures with revenue and/or significant users/customers, and start ups at the concept and prototype stage with no revenue. The prizes for the 2014 competition are valued at more than US$500,000 and the deadline for entry is July 31, 2014.

Find out more at www.startmeup.hk. If you have any questions, you are welcomed to contact me, or our Head of Investment Promotion, Mr. Kelly Jones at <kelly_jones@hketony.gov.hk>.