Worcester chamber joins with ed-affiliated group
Timothy Murray's Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.
A business group focused on education reform has brought on the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce as an affiliate, heightening the emphasis among Massachusetts employers on workforce development issues in the young legislative session.
According to Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, 72 percent of Massachusetts employers say schools need major or moderate change.
"Employers believe that there is much room for improvement in preparing our youth for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. Deep inequities in education that leave far too many students on the economic sidelines and a widening skills gap that makes it difficult for employers to find qualified candidates to fill open positions, must be addressed," the alliance concluded in Friday's announcement.
The alliance says the Worcester chamber is its first "affiliate" but that the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Business Leaders for Education, Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce, Concord Chamber of Commerce, and TechNet have also joined its "network."
"The number one concern of our member businesses, regardless of the size or the sector, is workforce," Worcester Regional Chamber President and CEO Timothy Murray said. "We are actively engaging with schools and our college community on a local level, but it is important to look beyond the region. The business community needs to be proactive in engaging with the schools as well as represented at the state level to ensure that students are prepared for college and career.”
Murray, a Democrat, is the former Worcester mayor and former lieutenant governor.
The alliance, which has not finalized its legislative priorities, says education "is emerging as a key policy issue this year" and alleged that efforts are underway "to roll back education reforms that have made Massachusetts number one in the nation in student achievement."
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