Senator Jason Lewis to Host Community Conversation in Malden on the Future of Work

Continuing his “Community Conversations” issue discussions, Senator Jason Lewis is excited to announce an upcoming conversation he will hold on our changing economy, evolving workforce needs, and innovative approaches to prepare today’s students and workers for the jobs of the future. Held in every community of the district, “Community Conversations” are issue discussions delving into a different timely topic at each forum, with ample opportunity for residents to share feedback and have their questions answered by experts on the given topic.

This upcoming event – Community Conversations: The Future of Work in the Commonwealth – will take place on Tuesday, March 13, at 6:00pm. The event will occur in the auditorium of the Beebe School, 401 Pleasant Street, Malden, and is free and open to the public. Attendees will hear from Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta and Malden Public Schools Superintendent John Oteri, with introductory remarks from Senator Lewis, State Representative Paul Brodeur, and Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. Senator Lewis and Representative Brodeur serve as the co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.

This forum will offer the chance to hear directly from experts offering insights on a range of labor and workforce development issues. Secretary Acosta will discuss state priorities in advancing workforce preparedness and skill development in the innovation economy while Superintendent Oteri will discuss new approaches to providing multiple pathways for students to the jobs of the future. There will be ample opportunity for Q&A from attendees. The forum is co-sponsored by Mayor Gary Christenson, State Representatives Paul Brodeur, Paul Donato, and Steve Ultrino, the Metro North Regional Employment Board, and the Malden Teen Enrichment Center.

“I’m excited that this upcoming Community Conversation will address the critical issue of how we prepare our students and workers for good paying jobs of the future,” said Senator Lewis. “Closing the skills gap in order to grow our economy and lift up working families is dependent on innovative approaches in our high schools, colleges, and workforce development programs. I look forward to a very interesting conversation on these timely issues.”

“Community Conversations” forums have been held in all six communities of the 5th Middlesex district on topics including: public education; public transportation; small business and entrepreneurship; challenges facing senior citizens and caregivers; veterans’ issues; mental health; housing; energy policy and environmental priorities; and, efforts to combat substance abuse and opioid addiction in our region.