Lowell – MassHire Greater Lowell will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to debut their new Mobile Career Center at Lowell City Hall at 5:30 pm, Tuesday, June 11th.
The event will also acknowledge the Greater Lowell Technical High School (GLTHS) and their students for their skills and successes in renovating the mobile bus, and LifeSize Wraps who wrapped the exterior of the bus.
The Mobile Career Center will provide complimentary workforce development services to the residents of the eight communities within MassHire Lowell’s service area: Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, and Westford.
The Mobile Career Center will extend the center’s DEI practices by offering enhanced services and in person outreach to underserved communities. Services being offered will vary but are sure to include registration for job search assistance and workshops, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, on the spot career counseling and access to enhanced technical services. Those interested will have a chance to board the bus at the Ribbon Cutting on June 11th.
“The new Mobile Career Center allows MassHire to transport our services from our building to the neighborhoods,” said Kevin E. Coughlin, Executive Director of the MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce.
“The Mobile Career Center is a great community asset,” said Danielle McFadden, Chair of MassHire Greater Lowell Board of Directors, “and fulfills our Board’s mission to serve all our communities.”
The GLTHS Construction and Transportation & Manufacturing Clusters collaborated to transform a utility bus into MassHire’s Mobile Career Center. The student-led renovations included new interior, batteries, tires, wood floors and cabinets, and new countertops for solar powered workstations. Students also installed a backup camera system, trailer hitch assembly, solar exterior motion lighting, and solar powered security camera system.
Shannon Norton, Executive Director of the MassHire Lowell Career Center, says, “One of the best aspects about this project is the expansion of equitable services to under-represented communities within the city. In addition, this project was designed to allow for green energy to be paramount during its reconstruction, as well as incorporating safety and design features that will ensure this Mobile Career Center will operate successfully for years to come.”
The vehicle, purchased last year from the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) and renovated by GLTHS, demonstrates the strong community partners who routinely work with MassHire to better serve the local workforce.
Moving forward, the Mobile Career Center will be on site at local events and will have the capacity to travel to various neighborhood activities throughout the city. “Efforts to expand workforce accessibility opportunities has been at the forefront for this administration,” remarks Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “The City is delighted for the opportunity to bring career opportunities to residents.”
