Friday, September 30, 2016
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tishman Construction and AECOM Company and Springfield Public Schools was signed earlier today at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Superintendent of Schools Daniel J. Warwick, and MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis, David M. Cruise, Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc., and Eric Nelson, Senior Project Manager at Tishman Construction, each provide greetings on the significance of the occasion.
The MOU serves to foster a spirit of collaboration, mutual support and trust, and open and honest communication. Putnam and Tishman have agreed to partner on curriculum content development and other activities that increase the students’ career knowledge and learning. Tishman will engage and familiarize Putnam students with the construction industry directly by conducting tours of its active construction sites managed in Springfield, and participate in career awareness activities and events at Putnam. These efforts will provide guidance to Putnam technical instructors on how they can best align and enhance curriculum content in specific technical programs related to occupational job classifications at Tishman. To facilitate the on-site experiences, Putnam will provide transportation to its students visiting the Tishman construction sites.
“I commend all involved in this very promising workforce development initiative. This is creating a positive pipeline of educational and career opportunities for our students,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick said that the partnership will provide meaningful and valuable experience for students. “We could not be more pleased to work with Tishman Construction to provide these kinds of opportunities for our students,” said Warwick. “It is these kinds of partnerships that make such a difference for students. Putnam has built strong construction-related vocation program and we know that Tishman will be impressed with the caliber of our students.”
MGM Springfield President & COO Mike Mathis commented, “Education and training are important tools to help our young people in Springfield pursue meaningful careers. We commend Springfield Public Schools and our best-in-class construction partner Tishman on reaching this MOU, and leveraging the impressive operations and curriculum at Putnam. We expect this workforce development initiative to serve the community well, as projects like MGM Springfield and others transform Springfield and the region through construction.”
Tishman Construction/AECOM Vice President Eric Nelson said “I am so proud that Tishman is making a commitment to this program in my hometown of Springfield. Tishman and AECOM are dedicated not only to building complex and environmentally-friendly projects, but also to unlocking educational and vocational opportunities in our communities across the country. Because of this MOU, in ten years we will be constructing an iconic building right here in Springfield with homegrown employees out of the Springfield Public School System.”
“The Regional Employment Board will continue to provide services and supports to strengthen and sustain this critical industry-education partnership that will result in Putnam students acquiring additional technical and employability skills that will prepare them for career pathway employment opportunities,” said David M. Cruise, President and CEO of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc.
