Blackstone Valley Hub For Workforce Development

What Blackstone Valley Hub For Workforce Development does

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development (BV Hub) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Jeannie Hebert and headquartered at 670 Linwood Ave, Suite 5, Whitinsville, Massachusetts. The organization operates as an authorized YouthWorks and Connecting Activities provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Central MassHire, and functions as the educational arm of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. It delivers a multi-program workforce development platform that includes YouthWorks, Connecting Activities, a Partnered School Program spanning 12 Central Massachusetts school districts, the Executive Track (a year-long grades 7-11 leadership program), an Internship Program, vocational Training Programs (funded through MassMEP, MassAbility, Ascentia, NextGen Talent, and Grafton Job Corps), the YAWD Summer Training Program for young adults with disabilities, Online Courses, and the monthly 20/40 Speaker Series.

The Hub's business model is non-commercial and grant-dependent. As a 501(c)(3), it does not charge students for core services and instead operates through state-administered grant funding (e.g., $2,715,625 in cumulative awards from the Healey-Driscoll Administration since 2023 via Commonwealth Corporation), vocational training partner funding, private donations, and convening sponsorships such as All One Credit Union. Program administration is delivered directly through school districts, the Hub's Whitinsville facilities including Hebert Hall, and hybrid virtual formats that broaden regional access.

The customer base comprises four overlapping segments: students in grades 7-11 and young adults seeking career pathways (the primary persona), 12 Central Massachusetts school districts as institutional partners, regional employers sourcing future talent, and young adults with disabilities receiving specialized placement services. No proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, or paid pricing tiers are disclosed; the platform model is service- and partnership-driven rather than technology-native. The organization is led by Executive Director Ashley Bregman with founder Jeannie Hebert serving as Board Chair, supported by a board that includes regional superintendents and community leaders.

Name

Blackstone Valley Hub For Workforce Development

Legal name

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development

Website

https://bvhub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 that delivers youth workforce development programs—including YouthWorks, Connecting Activities, Executive Track, and the YAWD Summer Training Program—to students, 12 partner school districts, and young adults with disabilities across Central Massachusetts, operating primarily through state grants and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Youth employment programs
• Career education training
• Internship facilitation services
• Vocational training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Whitinsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the BV Hub relies on donations and grant funding to support operations. The organization states it strives to keep costs as low as possible or free for students, indicating dependence on external funding sources.
2. Government Program Administration: The Hub administers state-funded workforce programs including YouthWorks and Connecting Activities through DESE and Central MassHire. The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $900,000 in grants through Commonwealth Corporation for employment programs serving young adults with disabilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development (BV Hub) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers workforce development services in the Blackstone Valley and Central Massachusetts. It runs school partnerships, internship facilitation, vocational training courses, and youth employment programs such as YouthWorks, Connecting Activities, the Partnered School Program, the Executive Track, the YAWD Summer Training Program, and Online Courses, connecting middle and high school students, young adults, and individuals with disabilities to regional employers.

Product overview

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing workforce development services across the Blackstone Valley region and Central Massachusetts. The organization operates as a unified service platform offering multiple interconnected programs including YouthWorks, Connecting Activities, the Partnered School Program, the Executive Track, Internship Programs, Training Programs, YAWD Summer Training, Online Courses, and the BV Hub 20/40 Speaker Series. These programs work together to provide hands-on training, employer partnerships, career-connected experiences, and job placement services for students, young adults, and individuals with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YouthWorks Workforce development program providing job training, employment placement, and paid internships for young adults, particularly those with disabilities, across industries including food service, child care, healthcare, and retail.
• Connecting Activities DESE and Central MassHire program providing career-connected learning experiences, work-based learning opportunities, and regional convenings for students and educators across Central Massachusetts school districts.
• Partnered School Program Direct partnership program for school districts prioritizing workforce preparation, offering career awareness events, career speakers, and internship coordination with regional businesses across twelve Central Massachusetts school districts.
• The Executive Track Year-long program for students in grades 7-11 preparing them to become 'Executives of Tomorrow' through mentorship, career readiness activities, leadership development, and culminating events.
• Internship Program Coordinates internship opportunities for high school students with regional employers, supporting work-based learning experiences and career pathway exploration across Central Massachusetts.
• Training Programs Vocational and industry skills training courses funded by partners including MassMEP, MassAbility, Ascentia, NextGen Talent, and Grafton Job Corps, covering trades skills and certifications.
• YAWD Summer Training Program Summer training program for Young Adults with Disabilities providing job readiness training, employment placement, and post-placement support services.
• Online Courses Digital learning offerings accessible to students and job seekers for skill development and workforce training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 360 individuals with disabilities served since 2023 through grant programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce (BVCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BV Hub is the educational partner of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. The BVCC is described as an integral part of the Hub, and the Hub encourages all partners to learn about the Chamber's offerings and benefits. This partnership facilitates connections between businesses and educational programs.
• MassTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MassTech enriches programs and opportunities offered to students and educators in the region through technology-focused initiatives and resources.
• Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommCorp administers grant funding for workforce development programs including the $900,000 in grants for young adults with disabilities. The BV Hub serves as a program provider under CommCorp administration.
• MassHire Central Region Workforce BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BV Hub is a Connecting Activities provider through Central MassHire, co-hosting regional convenings with the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board for workforce development coordination.
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BV Hub is a YouthWorks and Connecting Activities provider through DESE, enabling delivery of state-funded workforce development programs in the region.
• Grafton Job CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner providing funding for trades skill courses as part of the BV Hub's training program offerings.
• MassMEPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner providing funding for trades skill courses, supporting workforce development in manufacturing and technical fields.
• MassAbilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner contributing to funding for trades skill courses, specializing in services for individuals with disabilities.
• CAMS (Curriculum and Management Solutions)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner enrichment program contributing to student and educator opportunities in the region.
• PLTW (Project Lead The Way)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner enrichment program providing STEM curriculum integration for workforce development programs.
• EOE (Executive Office of Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency partner supporting policy alignment and program development.
• AscentiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner providing funding support for trades skill courses.
• NextGen TalentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training partner contributing to workforce development program funding.
• All One Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored breakfast for the Connecting Activities Convening event, demonstrating local business support for workforce initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training, internships, and career placement for young adults, including a strong focus on closing opportunity gaps. Highly comparable mission to BV Hub's YouthWorks and YAWD programs, but operates at national scale with a corporate-funded training model.
• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving transformation in education and workforce systems through research, policy, and program design. Operates at a policy and systems level that influences the same state and federal funding streams BV Hub depends on for YouthWorks-style programs.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large established nonprofit network providing workforce development, training, and placement services, with substantial programs serving people with disabilities. Comparable in mission and populations served, but operates at significantly larger scale and with a retail-funded cross-subsidy model.

Direct peers

• i.c.stars: Workforce development nonprofit offering technology training and paid apprenticeships for young adults from under-resourced communities. Comparable in combining career-readiness, employer partnerships, and a year-long structured program model similar to BV Hub's Executive Track.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit offering tuition-free technology training and job placement for adults from low-income communities. Comparable in its nonprofit, employer-aligned, training-and-placement model serving underrepresented populations transitioning into skilled careers.
• STRIVE: Workforce development nonprofit providing job-readiness training, placement, and retention services to individuals facing barriers to employment. Mirrors BV Hub's mission of training, placement, and post-placement support for populations with employment barriers.
• YouthBuild USA: National nonprofit providing education, workforce training, and leadership development to opportunity youth, including construction trades pathways. Highly comparable youth workforce development model with similar grant-dependent, community-based program structure.
• Bottom Line: Nonprofit providing college and career advising to students from low-income backgrounds, with intensive one-on-one coaching and career development services. Closely aligned with BV Hub's Partnered School Program and career-connected learning approach for grades 7-11 onward.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): Regional nonprofit (notably Boston, San Francisco, and other metros) delivering workforce training, career coaching, and placement services for diverse populations including individuals with disabilities. Closely comparable as a regional vocational services nonprofit with a similar service mix.

Others

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit connecting young people with adult mentors. Adjacent comparator given the mentorship and career-speaker components of BV Hub's Executive Track and 20/40 Speaker Series, though not a direct workforce training competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BVHub2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackstone-valley-hub-for-workforce-development-bv-hub
• Instagraminstagram.com/bvhub_workforce_development?igsh=cDN5eHdxaHkwYmE1

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blackstone Valley Hub For Workforce Development