Local workforce board responds to nursing home facility closings in Greater New Bedford

In response to the closings of nursing home facilities in Greater New Bedford, the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center will hold a Health Care Career Fair for affected employees.

The job fair will be held on Thursday, May 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Career Center’s office at 618 Acushnet Avenue. Employers attending the event will be hiring for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing aides, dietary assistants, housekeeping assistants, and much more. Priority will be afforded local workers recently employed by Bedford Gardens, Bedford Village, Hallmark Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Highland Manor, or Dighton Care and Rehabilitation Center, affected by the unexpected closings.

The MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center is prepared to assist affected employees with finding their next jobs, and welcomes all other job seekers on Thursday. Several employers will be on hand to conduct on-the-spot interviews at the event.

“With nearly 300 workers who will be displaced from their jobs due to the recent unexpected nursing home closings, the Career Center is focused on helping employees make a smooth transition to new positions,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “MassHire Greater New Bedford has worked since the announcement of imminent closings to coordinate this event to offer assistance to displaced employees. I’m grateful to Jim Oliveira and the workforce board, the Career Center, the Department of Career Services rapid response team, and Attorney General Maura Healey for their swift work in responding to the situation.”

“Many thanks go out to the entire MassHire team for their response and the ability to assess the needs of the employees of all affected,” said David Slutz, chair of the Workforce Investment Board. “I’m confident a good number of employees will participate in our upcoming job fair and will move on to a more stable work environment.”

The City of New Bedford, including its Health Department, has also been working with state agencies including the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Public Health, and the Attorney General’s Office, as they work to ensure the smoothest possible transition for all residents affected by the sudden closings who are currently undergoing relocation to other nursing home facilities.

Additionally, the closures may necessitate the application of a National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) with the U.S. Department of Labor to meet the training needs of affected workers to access re-training opportunities. The MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Board is working closely with the Department of Career Services to assess the level of need for the application.

For more information on the upcoming career fair, contact the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center at 508-990-4000 or visit the center at 618 Acushnet Avenue.