SPRINGFIELD — New England Business Associates will host a job fair in partnership with the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership on Friday from 1-3 p.m. at 66 Industry Ave., Suite 11, Springfield.
The Hampden County area is home to well over 150 manufacturing companies, many of which are looking for people who are willing to turn this opportunity into a career. Boasting a need for nearly 2,000 employees in the local area, manufacturing frequently offers entry-level workers above minimum wage pay for full time jobs with benefits. This job fair is exclusively for those looking for careers in the manufacturing sector.
Past participating companies in the job fair include Cartamundi, DFF Corp., Governors America Corp., Sullivan Paper Company Inc. and Stanley Black and Decker.
The New England Business Associates, established in 1983, is a nonprofit that focuses on the employment needs of those they serve and the business communities in which they have a presence in.
AMHERST — Greenfield Savings Bank has installed a new Teller Connect ATM at its branch at 6 University Drive in Amherst.
The kiosk is a drive-up unit and features teller video service with extended banking hours, as well as standard ATM service (24/7).
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will present “Finding Your Mentors” as the focus of the next session of its Spring 2022 Women’s Leadership Series.
Willie Maddox, executive vice president and chief risk officer of Atlantic Community Bankers Bank in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will lead the March 30 session, which meets over Zoom from noon to 1 p.m.
During each monthly session, participants join prominent leaders for discussions on relevant topics and ideas to help their professional development. They will also have the opportunity to form a supportive network to help navigate their own careers.
The sessions are interactive and geared for professional women who want to connect.
Upcoming sessions in April and May include:
■April 27: “My Ankle is Made of Steel” — Nicole LaChapelle, mayor, City of Easthampton.
■May 25: “Self Love” — Shawntsi Baret, leadership coach, owner, SBSWF Consulting.
The cost of each session is $25. For more information, contact kittredgecenter@hcc.edu or call 413-552-2500.
Space is limited, so advance registration is required. To register, please go to: hcc.edu/womens-leadership
EASTHAMPTON — bankESB has pledged $50,000 over five years to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield. The money to help support the organization’s Building Futures campaign, a $3.5 million, 15,000-square-foot expansion of its West Silver Street location in Westfield.
According to the organization, the expansion will allow 100 more children in the licensed child care program, bringing the total to 300, including a new full-day preschool program in a more affordable, safe, education-based environment.
The donation was made as part of the bank’s charitable giving program, The Giving Tree.
EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton will host a “Show Us Your Mug” virtual roundtable discussion focused on retaining, hiring and training staff on April 7, from 9-9:45 a.m.
The discussion, to be led by Colleen DelVecchio of Maxady LLC will address the dilemmas of staffing issues presented by the pandemic. Participants are invited to share challenges they have faced, are currently facing or may face in the coming year.
To register, visit the chamber’s website. The event is free for members and $10 for nonmembers.
AMHERST — Five startups at the University of Massachusetts have advanced to the finals of the Innovation Challenge, a four-part challenge hosted by the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship.
In front of a panel of four judges for the semifinals on Feb. 22, 17 student-led startups gave five-minute pitches describing their ventures and participated in a 10-minute question-and-answer session. The five teams advancing to the finals on April 7, where $60,000 in seed money will be awarded, include
■rStream Recycling: Ian Goodine (mechanical engineering), Ethan Walko (mechanical engineering). A company that wants to reimagine recycling.
■Traditional Hockey: James Marathas (social thought and political economy), Ethan Harper (CNS), Pat Scanlon (BDIC). A company that hopes to make the hockey industry by making the sport more sustainable.
■MicrobeBlaster: Simran Jeet (biology), Phoebe Lasic-Ellis (BDIC), Sarah Kaunfer (microbiology), Hayley McIsaac (biochemistry and molecular biology). A company that aims to eliminate catheter-borne bacterial infections before they begin.
■Qualtags: Harsha Prakki (operations and information management). A company that supplies the food and beverage industry with small, low-cost tags to be placed on individual units of consumer-packaged items.