TYNGSBOROUGH — Greater Lowell Technical High School was honored to welcome Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones for a visit showcasing the success of the YouthWorks Summer Work Program, made possible through the school’s valued partnership with the MassHire Greater Lowell Career Center.
During her visit, Secretary Jones toured the campus, met with students and staff, and observed students participating in the YouthWorks Summer Program. She engaged students in meaningful conversations about the skills they are developing, what they have learned through the program, and their educational and career aspirations. She also spoke with school staff about the program’s impact on student growth, workforce readiness, and the school community.
“We were truly honored to welcome Secretary Jones to Greater Lowell Technical High School,” said Superintendent-Director Jill Davis. “Her commitment to expanding workforce development opportunities for young people across the Commonwealth is evident, and we appreciate the time she took to learn directly from our students about how this program is shaping their futures.”
The YouthWorks Summer Work Program, administered through the MassHire Greater Lowell Career Center, has had a tremendous impact on Greater Lowell Technical High School by providing students with meaningful paid employment opportunities while helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and professional habits necessary for long-term career success. Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $662,400 to the MassHire Greater Lowell Career Center through the YouthWorks program to help expand paid employment for young adults in the region.
“By collaborating with MassHire, local workforce partners, and area employers, we are identifying best practices and effective connections to give young people early exposure in our workforce and regional economies across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary Jones. “We hope more employers will join us in saying YES to youth employment as we grow Massachusetts’ talent pipeline.”
Students begin the program with career readiness training that includes résumé writing, interview preparation, workplace expectations, and other essential employability skills. Many participants continue their involvement through the YouthWorks Year-Round Program, allowing them to build upon these experiences while gaining additional work experience throughout the school year.
“YouthWorks provides young people with much more than a paycheck — it provides an opportunity to build confidence, develop professional skills, and see themselves as contributing members of the workforce,” said Heather Donovan, Manager, MassHire Greater Lowell Young Adult Career Center. “Through our partnership with Greater Lowell Technical High School, students gain meaningful work experience while making a visible impact on the school community they call their own. We were honored to welcome Secretary Jones and grateful that she took the time to listen directly to our students and see firsthand the transformative impact of YouthWorks.”
Both summer and year-round YouthWorks students work alongside Greater Lowell’s facilities and custodial teams, contributing to the maintenance and improvement of the campus through a variety of indoor and outdoor projects. Students gain valuable hands-on experience while assisting with campus maintenance, preparing classrooms and workspaces, moving furniture and equipment, maintaining school grounds, and supporting the daily operations that help keep the school safe, welcoming, and well-maintained.
Beyond these technical skills, YouthWorks helps students develop the professional qualities employers value most, including time management, effective communication with supervisors, teamwork, accountability, and financial literacy through earning and managing a paycheck. Because students work in the very school they attend, they also develop a deeper sense of pride, ownership, and appreciation for the important role they play in maintaining a positive learning environment for their classmates and staff.
“Programs like YouthWorks provide far more than summer employment,” said Superintendent-Director Jill Davis. “They build confidence, strengthen students’ work ethic, foster career readiness, and create opportunities for young people to make meaningful contributions to their school community while preparing for successful futures.”
Throughout the visit, Secretary Jones listened as students shared how the program has influenced their lives, strengthened their confidence, and helped shape their future career goals. Her thoughtful questions, genuine interest, and meaningful interactions demonstrated her commitment to ensuring young people have access to high-quality workforce development opportunities. Students clearly recognized that she cared about their experiences, their growth, and their future success.
“I am enjoying the work,” said student Joshua Njuguna, who will be a senior in Health Assisting at GLTHS this year. “It has taught me time management, how to communicate with employers, how work with co-workers and teachers, money management, and helped me develop skills using equipment and machinery, and obtain my license.”
“The program helped me get my driver’s license earlier, which was very important so I could have transportation to work,” said Jaylenis Cosme, a 2025 graduate of GLTHS. “It allowed me to gain new communication skills, get to work 30 minutes early, work with different moving and landscaping equipment, and ride-on machines to wash the floor. The program gave me confidence to develop work habits to impress current and future employers, like coming in early, wearing appropriate clothing, and demonstrating the skills I’ve learned.”
Greater Lowell Technical High School extends its sincere appreciation to Heather Donovan and the MassHire Greater Lowell Career Center for its continued partnership and commitment to creating meaningful workforce opportunities for students. The school also recognizes Erik Gitschier, Director of Plant Services, and Michael Gregory for their outstanding leadership, mentorship, and supervision of the YouthWorks students. Their dedication has helped create an environment where students develop valuable workplace skills while making lasting contributions to the school community.
“We hope Secretary Jones left with an even deeper understanding of the life-changing impact YouthWorks has on our students,” Davis said. “We are grateful for her continued support and advocacy for workforce development funding so that even more Greater Lowell students — and young people throughout the Commonwealth — can benefit from opportunities like YouthWorks.”
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