GBA hosting employment forum with MassHire

By MARY BYRNE

Staff Writer

GREENFIELD — In an effort to raise awareness about the local resources available to employers and employment seekers in the region, the Greenfield Business Association is hosting a forum to better acquaint the community with the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center.

“I’ve known about MassHire for a while, and I know about the resources they provide to both employers and businesses, as well as employees, and I see it as underutilized,” said Rachel Roberts, coordinator with the Greenfield Business Association. “ At one point, (Executive Director Maura Geary) and I were having a conversation about how we can get people to know more about these things … when employment right now is such a struggle.”

Geary will join MassHire Lead Business Service Representative Penni Menard on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for a presentation on the state of employment. According to a Greenfield Business Association press release, Geary and Menard will speak to unemployment, industry and demographic data, as well as share strategies to help employers recover and build toward a prosperous future for people and businesses in the region.

There will also be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

“The market has changed,” Roberts explained. “Employers are trying to fill spaces and employees are looking at additional opportunities. New employees have to find new ways to apply, and employers have to find new ways to advertise.”

Roberts said she hopes the event — which comes as a result of merging a forum previously scheduled for April that was geared specifically toward employers — will serve as a reminder to employers and employment seekers alike what resources are already available to them.

“We’re looking at ourselves as how we can best benefit Greenfield businesses,” she said. “This is already a resource that’s already out there; to team up with Maura and her team was really obvious to us right away.”

Register for Tuesday’s forum by emailing gba.4greenfield@ gmail.com or visit bit.ly/38loD78 to receive the Zoom link to the event. The event is free and open to all. Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByr ne

We’re looking at ourselves as how we can best benefit Greenfield businesses.”

RACHEL ROBERTS

coordinator, Greenfield Business Association