Building a Better Workforce, a conference attracting 200 participants and sponsored by local business and concerned organizations, addressed the challenges and opportunities in the Pioneer Valley in cultivating the capable and qualified workforce needed for our region to compete favorably in a global economy.

WGBY presents an edited version of the conference and access to the main conference segments on this site for online viewing.

Conference Video Introduction

Watch this video.

"Workforce Challenges in the Springfield Region"

Dr. Paul Harrington

Center for Labor Market Studies
Northeastern University

Watch this video.

"The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool"

Dr. James Heckman

Nobel Laureate in Economics, Center for Economic Research
University of Chicago

Watch this video.

For more information on this topic, visit Cherish Every Child.

Panel Discussion: Collaborative Strategies to improve educational attainment and improve the workforce.

Participants:
Attorney Paul Doherty, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy

Isolda Ortega-Bustamante, ENLACE

Jean Jackson, Baystate Health

Bob Schwarz, Peter Pan Bus Lines

Watch this video.

"A Call to Action for Businesses"

Maura Banta

Corporate Communications Manager, IBS
Chair, MA Business Alliance for Education

Watch this video.

Related Newsclips from WGGB News40

Early Education

Step Up Springfield

Hasbro Summer Learning

Eye on the Prize-ENLACE

Bridging the Gap

Watch this video.