Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Offshore Wind Workforce Opportunities, Virtual Reality Training Program at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School

 Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Offshore Wind Workforce Opportunities, Virtual Reality Training Program at Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School

NEW BEDFORD – Today, Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, Energy and Environmental Affair (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio visited Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical High School to meet with students in the Marine Technology, Computer Graphics, and Engineering programs, highlight potential career pathways in the emerging offshore wind industry, and participate in a demonstration of a new virtual reality offshore wind training program supported by the Baker-Polito Administration. The event was held as part of the Administration’s celebration of Massachusetts STEM Week.

“Massachusetts continues to lead the way in developing new technologies and programs to prepare the workforce to serve the emerging offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our plan to invest $750 million in a clean energy investment fund, along with these vital workforce training programs, will help unlock significant economic opportunities associated with offshore wind development and ensure that everyone in the Commonwealth can benefit from the jobs that will be created now and in the future.”

“Offshore wind presents a tremendous opportunity for students across the Commonwealth to see themselves in STEM,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The cutting-edge virtual reality training program supported by our Administration is an engaging way to get young people across the Commonwealth interested in a career in offshore wind, while helping to advance our goal of building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.” 

The virtual reality training program is developed by VinciVR Inc., a startup headquartered in Boston. In 2020, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded VinciVR a $124,670 grant to certify two Global Wind Organisation (GWO) courses in Basic Technical Training-Installation and Slinger Signaler by using virtual reality simulations in partnership with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, an offshore wind turbine manufacturer. 

“By fostering partnerships with young, innovative startup companies like VinciVR and established offshore wind industry leaders, the Baker-Polito Administration is able to support new approaches to workforce development that expand access to opportunity for young people across the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Offshore wind offers students across the Commonwealth – especially students in our Vocational-Technical schools – exciting new opportunities and career pathways, and new tools like virtual reality make critical training programs more engaging and accessible for the next generation of clean energy workers.”

 VinciVR’s newest program is specifically designed to introduce students and young people to offshore wind and the potential job opportunities that will be created by the development of this clean energy resource in Massachusetts. this rapidly growing field of employment. Additionally, MassCEC connected the company with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW 223) in Taunton, where electrical apprentices have beta-tested Vinci’s virtual training modules. So far, the apprentices have been the most successful participants in Vinci’s VR training, with a 100% success rate, demonstrating talent and expertise of the Commonwealth’s emerging, skilled workforce and its ability to meet the needs of the offshore wind industry.

“There is no better example of the important role of STEM education than a virtual reality program to train workers to work on the next generation of clean energy technology,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Companies like Vinci working in partnership with schools like Greater New Bedford Vocational-Technical and our tremendous universities and community colleges will ensure that Massachusetts students are the best educated, best trained and best prepared for the clean energy jobs of the future.” 

“Achieving our ambitious climate goals of net zero by 2050 will require a trained and motivated workforce,” said MassCEC Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio. “Innovative solutions like Vinci’s virtual reality training will enable companies like Siemens Gamesa and others to recruit and train talented workers from here in the South Coast and across the Commonwealth to participate in the jobs that clean energy is providing and will continue to provide for years to come”  

“Cultivating a competitive workforce has long been at the center of our work to make New Bedford a leader in offshore wind,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We are grateful for the support of the Baker-Polito Administration of programs at Voc-Tech and other educational institutions in Greater New Bedford that help to open the doors of opportunity for our region’s residents in this arriving industry.”  

“Cutting-edge technology can break open pathways for students to explore and engage with emerging new industries such as offshore wind,” said State Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford).  “As an alum, I am excited to see our students gain access to this world-class resource.  The quality of our vocational technical school is second to none, but it is urgent that the school open up many more slots so that our young people are not sitting idle on waiting lists while employers are in desperate need of workers.”  

"VinciVR is a fantastic example of local, state-of-the-art innovation making the Commonwealth's offshore wind workforce training technologically advanced, efficient, and equitable," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. "From personal experience with using VinciVR's training technology, I know that MassCEC's grant is well-invested and will have a far-reaching impact in the offshore wind industry. The VinciVR training will allow many more workers to be trained in a safe environment and will greatly enhance our workforce."

"Offshore wind represents a unique, generational opportunity for New Bedford to lead the development of this new industry - but to capitalize on its full potential, we need a trained and skilled workforce to match,” said State Representative Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford). “I thank MassCEC for recognizing the value and supporting this program at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School."

“Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito have been very supportive of the advancement of off-shore wind jobs in Southeastern Massachusetts,” said State Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport). “This innovative program is their latest achievement, and I am thrilled the students of New Bedford and Southeastern Massachusetts will be among the first to experience and benefit from it.”

"State funding for STEM education and training is a direct investment in jobs and will remain a priority as the energy sector and other innovative businesses continue to grow here on the South Coast," said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett).

“We are about to embark upon the greatest change in energy production since the discovery of oil,” said State Representative Christopher Markey (D-Dartmouth). “These investments in human capital by the Baker Polito administration are yet another example of their commitment to renewable energies.  We owe them a debt of gratitude”

“The climate crisis is very daunting, and the Offshore Wind Industry in the US faces a lot of hurdles spanning the logistics of establishing a strong, union backed workforce to ensuring equity and environmental justice to disadvantaged communities, “said VinciVR CEO Eagle Wu. “We have to do everything we can to inspire younger generations like mine to get involved and turn a crisis into an opportunity. I’m happy that Vinci can play a role in building the workforce needed to push the transition to green energy. “

“The U.S. offshore wind industry is growing and shows a lot of promise. With this partnership, we hope to help close the workforce training gap in a safe, expedited and cost-efficient manner,” said Cynthia Brown, Head of Training Service Americas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. “We are excited to see this innovative training solution become available to students of all ages.”

Additionally, VinciVR is launching an Offshore Wind Recruiting Package aimed at engaging and exciting the next generation of industry experts. Vinci is currently in the process of converting its training simulations into interactive experiences aimed at educating high school, middle school, and post-secondary school students about the scale and operations of renewable energy. These efforts work hand in hand with MassCEC’s goals of developing and recruiting a diverse, equitable, and highly skilled workforce in offshore wind through increased access to training opportunities and reduced barriers to entry into the offshore wind industry. 

On October 13, 2021 Governor Baker filed legislation to direct $750 million to support the continued growth and development of the Commonwealth’s clean energy industry. The legislation, An Act to Power Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Economy, would establish a new Clean Energy Investment Fund, totaling $750 million, that would support innovation, research and development, and job training in the clean energy sector, significantly expanding Massachusetts’s national leadership on clean energy and climate change.

In March of 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that increased the Administration’s authorization to solicit an additional 2,400 Megawatts of offshore wind, bringing the state’s total commitment to 5,600 Megawatts.

In May 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Commonwealth’s electric distribution companies released the RFP for the third round of offshore wind energy solicitations under the Section 83C process, allowing bids up to 1600 Megawatts, doubling the size of previous procurements. In this solicitation, for the first time, the Administration required bidders to submit diversity, equity and inclusion plans that includes a Workforce Diversity Plan and Supplier Diversity Program Plan. The plans will outline bidders' commitment to promoting employment and procurement/contracting opportunities for minority, women, veterans, LGBT and persons with disabilities. The RFP also includes an enhanced criteria for economic benefits, including workforce development, local supply chain investments, and research and innovation. Bids were due on September 16, 2021 and a winning bid will be selected on December 17, 2021.

In September 2021, the Administration announced the release of a new report assessing the workforce strengths, gaps, and opportunities in Massachusetts for the emerging offshore wind industry. The report analyzes offshore wind workforce development in the Northeast with a specific focus on Massachusetts, including an overview of the existing, relevant regional training programs, including grantees awarded under MassCEC’s 2018 and 2020 workforce development awards. The analysis also examines the workforce needed to achieve Massachusetts’ ambitious offshore wind goals, and the state’s ability to supply the necessary workers.

Strengthening STEM education in the Commonwealth’s K-12 schools is a priority of the Baker-Polito Administration. The first STEM Week was held in October 2018 as a way to boost interest in STEM subjects among students, particularly young women and minority students, and highlight the abundance of career opportunities in the Commonwealth. STEM Week is a collaborative effort between the Executive Office of Education; the STEM Advisory Council, which works to generate interest and support from the business community for STEM activities and is co-chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Executive Chairman Jeffrey Leiden; and the Commonwealth’s nine Regional STEM Networks, which plan and coordinate activities with local schools, community leaders and business partners.

MAYOR JANEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING STRATEGY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

MAYOR JANEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLINING STRATEGY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON Order prioritizes public health through City and State housing resources

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 19, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today signed an Executive Order Establishing a Coordinated Response to Public Health and Encampments in the City of Boston. The order is a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the City of Boston, which exacerbated unsheltered homelessness and increased the number of individuals across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts facing opioid addiction. Through the multi-departmental, collaborative approach, the City seeks to address the public health and public safety concerns through enhancing efforts to provide housing to those experiencing homelessness. The executive order seeks to ensure the public health and public safety of individuals living in tents and encampments throughout the City of Boston, in particular at the epicenter of the crisis in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.  In parallel with Mayor Janey’s executive order, Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu has issued a temporary order relative to the ongoing public health emergency relative to COVID-19 declaring that substance use disorder, unsheltered homelessness and related issues in the City of Boston constitute a public health crisis. “Boston has been a regional leader in supporting people who are gripped by substance use disorder and made even more vulnerable by mental illness and homelessness. As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates these problems, City of Boston workers have been on the ground, providing life-saving support to the people on our streets from cities and towns across Massachusetts and beyond,” said Mayor Janey. “With this executive order, residents facing substance use disorder and unsheltered homelessness can have the shelter and treatment they need to help them be safe and get better. Thank you to our entire team and all of our partners who are working to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors are healthy and safe.” Through the Executive Order, the City of Boston has established the following multi-pronged strategy: Establish a central command structure: City of Boston Office of Health & Human Services, working in direct partnership with the State Executive Office of Health & Human Services, will create and lead a central command structure to strengthen overall street level interventions, ensure alignment of resources for those in need, and direct efforts to address the public health crisis created by encampments in Boston. The central command structure shall track, and provide to all relevant departments, information concerning available shelter and treatment options. Implement procedures and social service interventions to address public health crisis created by tents or temporary shelters: As stated in existing laws, coupled with the Public Health Emergency, tents and temporary shelters will no longer be allowed on the public ways in the City of Boston. The Mayor’s Office will publish a revised Homeless Encampment Protocol that will reflect the principles outlined in the executive order. That Protocol will establish procedures for assessing the needs of unsheltered individuals, performing intensive and persistent outreach and engagement, and providing low-barrier pathways to housing with a goal of connecting individuals with appropriate shelter and services. All such enforcement and actions should not criminalize the status of being an unsheltered individual, an individual with substance use disorder, or an individual with mental illness. The Protocol will clearly state that no City of Boston employee will require an unsheltered individual to remove their encampment from public property unless there is shelter available for that individual. Identifying shelter for immediate placements: The City’s Department of Neighborhood Development and the Boston Public Health Commission will work partner agencies to bring additional beds online, including low-threshold beds, to support regional, re-housing and stabilization efforts serving individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.   Establishing clear and clean streets and walkways: The Boston Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works will implement road safety measures to improve road and sidewalk safety and access and focus on the cleanliness of the area and conduct ongoing street and sidewalk cleaning in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. Increasing Crime and Violence Control and Enforcement: The Boston Police Department will continue to enforce all laws related to drug trafficking, human trafficking, disorderly conduct, and trespassing to address the victimization of individuals suffering from substance use disorder. Additionally, the City of Boston will work with relevant partners to prioritize, when appropriate, diversion to treatment programs for individuals who are court-involved. “The Mass and Cass area has become the most visible presence of the opioid crisis in Boston, and the issues we face have grown in complexity throughout the pandemic,” said Chief of Boston’s Health and Human Services, Marty Martinez. “This multilayered executive order keeps urgency, equity, and public health strategies at the forefront of everything we do.” The City continues to work to connect those struggling with substance use disorder and experiencing homelessness to services. During the first ten months of the present calendar year, the Office of Recovery Services street outreach team has conducted over 21,000 interactions with individuals on the street (over 2,100 monthly), making over 7,000 referrals to services (over 700 referrals monthly). The City also continues to create pathways to permanent housing, prioritizing the vulnerable unsheltered population in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. The Office of Recovery Services is working with the City’s Street to Home initiative to house 25 individuals every month for at least three months from the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area who have chronic experiences of unsheltered homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorder. The full executive order can be found here.

第四屆STEM週今日揭幕 明年5/13 AI日

今日起在500多所學校展開 1000多項活動。

$300,000

biobuilder 

麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)

麻州州長Charlie Baker提醒人們，人工智慧視窗面刃，有利有弊。

麻州副州長Karen Polito

麻州STEM 週董事

MIT Media Lab Associate Director

麻州教育廳廳長

MIT 校長

Seeing China Through Film by China Institute in NY

 

Seeing China Through Film continues with talkbacks featuring iconic Chinese film directors Thursday: Meet the Director Who Inspired Martin Scorsese Join us as Jia Zhangke talks about The Pickpocket (小武 Xiao Wu), one of the most impressive directorial debuts in 21st century Chinese cinema, with noted film expert Richard Pena.   The movie tells the story of a poor provincial town looking to crack down on crime in 1997, against the backdrop of the transfer of Hong Kong’s sovereignty offering a bitterly unadorned look at contemporary Chinese life during the reform era. Follow the link to watch the film for free and sign up to join us later this week! Watch 'The Pickpocket' and RSVP for this program with Jia Zhangke, one of the most important directors in China today >> November 17: A Lighthearted Look at a Changing China Join us for a conversation with Zhang Yang, China’s most successful independent filmmaker, who will discuss his acclaimed work, Shower, with producer Peter Loehr, and film expert Richard Peña! Our experts will talk about China in the 90s, the impact of the reform era on film, the and the important legacy of Shower, more than two decades after its release. Set in a public bathhouse in an old neighborhood of Beijing, the country’s struggle between tradition and modernity is played out between two brothers, against the backdrop of a cast of bathhouse patrons. Experience this comedic film with famed director Zhang Yang >> Become a part of the CI family by joining us as a member or standing with China Institute by donating now. Your contribution supports our important work deepening an understanding of China through education, arts, culture and business programming. And, don't miss additional online programs of note: October 27: How the Past is Driving China’s Future Cities For decades, China’s planners focused on tearing down the old, and building the new in order to fuel the nation’s rapid development. Glistening cities rose, while psychological and social costs took a back seat. Today, as China struts more confidently on the world stage, its architects are reaching back to Chinese tradition to reinvent urban planning—and redefine what it means to be modern. Top architects and urban thinkers discuss China’s cities of the future >> November 16: Is Capitalism Done in China? What is driving President Xi Jinping’s moves to re-centralize control over China’s economy and society? On the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, the Leninist doctrine that underpins its history is reemerging to challenge capitalist-style, market reforms. Author and Harvard political scientist Tony Saich, and Yasheng Huang, MIT Sloan industrial policy expert, explore the inherent contradictions within the CCP, the main driver of China’s extraordinary rise to global power >>

ESSAIBI GEORGE ANNOUNCES UPDATED PLAN FOR MASS AND CASS AMONGST SLEW OF FRONTLINE WORKERS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 ESSAIBI GEORGE ANNOUNCES UPDATED PLAN FOR MASS AND CASS AMONGST SLEW OF FRONTLINE WORKERS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Receives official endorsements from SEIU 888, SENA 9158, and Councilor Baker

Boston, MA — Amongst frontline workers, labor unions representing city workers, and local leaders, At-Large City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George today released an updated policy plan outlining immediate actions to tackle the devastation at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (Mass and Cass) if elected Mayor of Boston. In the plan, Essaibi George calls for a Public Health Emergency Zone for the Mass and Cass area to create a special, singular district for streamlined service delivery and increased capacity for responsiveness. 

During the announcement on Southampton Street, Essaibi George received new endorsements from SEIU 888 and SENA 9158, which represent thousands of city workers on the frontlines of Mass and Cass, and District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker, whose district includes parts of the Mass and Cass area. They joined the Massachusetts Nurses Association, Boston EMS Union, and AFSCME 93, all who have previously endorsed Essaibi George’s candidacy, to underscore their commitment to address this crisis through a coordinated, multifaceted response alongside an Essaibi George Administration.

“I have the relationships, the knowledge, the experience to tackle Mass & Cass on Day One. You cannot say the same about Michelle Wu. This is not an issue you can tackle from afar. It requires a presence and firsthand understanding. It requires tough decisions and action, not more stalling. It requires collaboration and partnership with those on the ground doing the work day in and day out,” said Essaibi George. “Mass and Cass has received a lot of attention during this race, and that’s a good thing. But I have one, honest question: Will the attention still be here on November 3? I’m here to say very loudly and clearly that under an Essaibi George Administration, yes it will. My work in this space reflects that.”

“SEIU Local 888 represents many of the Boston city workers who are working on the frontlines of Mass and Cass. We know that to better this city it’s not enough to sit in the Mayor’s Office and avoid the hard truth. We need a Mayor that shows up and does so without fanfare—that person is Annissa Essaibi George,” said Thomas McKeever, President of SEIU Local 888. “This plan demonstrates Annissa’s commitment to leading with those doing the work and we’re proud to be with her in this race.”

“Like so many other areas in the City of Boston, when it comes to addressing the public health crisis at Mass and Cass we simply can’t wait for the next Mayor to spend her time familiarizing herself with the issues before she gets to work,” said District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker. “Annissa knows this area, the people, and the partners we need to bring in. She is the only candidate who is ready to take immediate action on Day One to end this devastation. I’m so proud to stand with her today and to support her in this race.”

“SENA 9158 is proud to endorse Annissa Essaibi George for Mayor. Our members are there at Mass and Cass, and Annissa is the partner we need to fight for safe working conditions and ensure decisions are made in collaboration with those doing the work,” said Joseph Smith, President of Salaried Employees of North America (SENA) 9158. 

Throughout her time on the Council, Essaibi George has been a leader on the issues of homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorder. She founded the Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health and Recovery in 2016 with the goal of spotlighting these three specific issues, and has continued her advocacy in this space.

Essaibi George turned this advocacy into action, sponsoring the first ever Needle Take Back Day in the City of Boston, passing an ordinance to create 100 additional sites for safe needle disposal, securing funding to increase the number of B.E.S.T clinicians that support residents during a mental health crisis, and creating the first Special Commission to End Family Homelessness in the City of Boston through her ordinance which was unanimously passed by the Boston City Council.

Essaibi George released a policy plan focused on tackling the citywide opioid epidemic in April. That plan has been updated to reflect her various conversations with those not only doing the work at Mass and Cass, but with lived experiences in this space.

OVERVIEW OF MASS & CASS PLAN

*The full plan is attached and will uploaded on www.annissaforboston.com shortly.*

The city of Boston continues to be the primary destination for support services for individuals in recovery, and because of this, continues to bear the burden of this crisis. The concentration of recovery services at Mass and Cass alone has caused our resources to reach their breaking point.  Decisive, urgent action and a regional response is desperately needed to address this public health crisis, repair the continuum of care, and help individuals access recovery. 

While Annissa has focused much of her work on the City Council around the issues of mental health, substance use disorder and homelessness, the powers that come with the Mayor’s Office allow for more effective and efficient action on day one. 

As Mayor, Annissa will immediately direct the Boston Public Health Commission to declare a Public Health Emergency within a one mile radius of the intersection of Mass and Cass. This will allow for a streamlined response from first responders and city agencies, as well as better service delivery and improved capacity for responsiveness. The zone will be overseen by a Mass and Cass Czar who will report directly to the Mayor’s Office, and work in partnership with city and state agencies on a coordinated response. The Czar will also be tasked with decentralizing services from Mass and Cass to affect long-term, sustainable change, reopening the comfort station that was available to individuals during the pandemic, and convening a Harm Reduction Working Group to evaluate harm reduction strategies, including everything from availability of narcan to safe injection facilities.  

Annissa will also direct a portion of the federal funding coming to Boston to implement a Public Health Surge at Mass and Cass.his would include a multi-day, coordinated effort between several city, state, and private agencies to provide direct services to individuals in need. Services could include: medical and wound care, dental care, hygiene services, eye exams/glasses, an opportunity for reunification, referral for additional services, and an immediate opportunity to enter detox with the promise of a recovery bed.