October 3, 2011

by Charles McMahon

PORTSMOUTH — Gov. John Lynch will visit Great Bay Community College on Tuesday to talk jobs and launch the start of a new program, WorkReady NH.

The event takes place at 11 a.m. and will be held in the new WorkReady NH Center located by the College’s Business and Training Center.

Lynch will be joined by Chancellor Bonnie Newman, Commissioner Tara Reardon of N.H. Dept of Employment Securities and Commissioner George Bald of Department of Resources and Economic Development.

Colin Manning, press secretary for the governor’s office, said the event is focused primarily on jobs.

“The event is the announcement of the launch of the WorkReady program, the third component of NH Working, the jobs initiative the Governor created last year,” said Manning. “Work Ready will ensure unemployed workers have basic skills, in math and reading, and so-called soft skills, such as teamwork, ethical and workplace behavior.”

Lisa Proulx, public information officer for Great Bay Community College, said the new program was developed to help job seekers build essential workplace skills while adding a nationally recognized credential to their resume.

“WorkReady NH also will also help companies foster a skilled workforce, and find qualified applicants and employees,” she said.

The program is going to be piloted at Great Bay and will also take place at three other community colleges in the state.