CONVENING: Addressing the Labor Shortage in Massachusetts - Tapping Hidden Talent
On June 12, 2023, The Project on Workforce – along with the Eastern Bank Foundation, Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and SkillWorks – is hosting a virtual convening, “Addressing the Labor Shortage in Massachusetts: Tapping Hidden Talent.”
Historically tight labor markets threaten our businesses and our economy in the midst of stubborn opportunity gaps and continued racial and economic inequities. Demographic and social trends strongly suggest that the acutely tight labor market is here to stay for the foreseeable future and that one of the few solutions is tapping the "hidden” workforce through smart and targeted workforce development strategies. Implementing creative and effective strategies to tap hidden talent is not easy. This convening will bring together researchers, employers, workforce development providers, and policymakers to better understand the challenges and opportunities, share solutions, and tackle common obstacles. The full agenda for the convening is below.
This convening is a closed event. If you would like to learn more about it, you can email projectonworkforce@hks.harvard.edu.
Agenda
2:00-2:10pm: Welcome and Introduction
Robert Rivers, CEO, Eastern Bank
2:10-2:30pm: Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent
Keynote Speaker: Joseph B. Fuller, Harvard Business School
2:30-2:45pm: “Tapping Massachusetts’ Hidden Talent”
Jerry Rubin, Project on Workforce & Eastern Bank Foundation
2:45-3:25pm: Panel: Promising Practices in Tapping Hidden Talent
Moderator: Andre Green, Executive Director, SkillWorks
Emmanuel Owusu, Executive Director, African Bridge Network
Colleen Moran, Workforce Integration Director, Mass General Brigham
Tim Driver, President, Age Friendly Ventures
Gabriel Mandujano, CEO & Founder, Wash Cycle Laundry
3:25-3:45pm: Breakout Working Sessions: How to Better Tap the Talent of Key Segments of Hidden Talent: Immigrants, Caregivers, Disabled Individuals, Older Workers, Returning Citizens
3:45-4:00pm: Wrap Up: Where Do We Go From Here?