MARLBOROUGH – Superintendent Ernest F. Houle shares that Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School held its first Reverse Job Fair, pairing Assabet Technical Institute graduates with prospective employers.
On Thursday, April 21, about 20 employers met with 16 adult learners from the Institute’s Welding and CNC Machine Operating programs. In a traditional job fair, jobseekers tour tables to learn more about job opportunities. At the Reverse Job Fair, employers went table to table to learn more about the students, and their training and interests.
This allowed the students to show off interview techniques and resume writing skills that have been embedded in classwork, through Assabet’s collaboration with the MASSHire Central and Metro South/West Workforce Boards and Career Centers.
Students have completed a 16-week, 200-hour course in their career pathway, meeting in-person on Wednesday nights and Saturdays and taking two remote classes each week. Coursework prepared them to obtain required industry and safety certifications, making them employable immediately.
“We’re developing skills to close the workforce gap,” Mary M. May, Director of Workforce and Economic Development at Assabet, told business representatives. “When you’re thinking about filling positions, we want you to think about Assabet.”
Pam Duggan of Bolton, a Welding graduate, attended the Reverse Job Fair to learn more about employment prospects. Duggan graduated from Assabet’s Metal Fabrication program in 1987, but did not use those skills after graduation.
“I’ve been out of the field for so long, I didn’t know what jobs were out there,” Duggan said. “It’s been a great experience.”
After speaking with numerous employers, Duggan felt confident she would receive offers because of the Job Fair.
Scott Kibe, a Production Leader at Rolls-Royce in Walpole, said events such as the Reverse Job Fair are important, especially in fields where there is high demand.
“Two years ago, we’d interview 12 people after receiving 50 resumes. I haven’t had a resume in two months,” said Kibe, who said he will be attending future Assabet job events to connect his company to future employees.
The school has received significant support from the Baker-Polito Administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, enabling Assabet to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and expand training for unemployed and underemployed workers.
“There is a natural synergy between Assabet and our business community,” Superintendent Houle said. “They support us, and in turn we can be a resource for them. If there is a need for particular set of skills in the workforce, we can adjust and support those businesses to be more successful.”
Area employers met jobseekers from Assabet Technical Institute’s Welding and CNC Machine Operating programs during a Reverse Job Fair. (Photo Courtesy Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School) 
Mary M. May, Director of Workforce and Economic Development at Assabet, greets company representatives. (Photo Courtesy Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School) 
Pam Duggan, a Welding graduate, speaks with Scott Kibe of Rolls-Royce at the Reverse Job Fair. (Photo Courtesy Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School)
