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YouthWorks, managed by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), is a state-funded employment program that helps teens and young adults develop the skills and experience needed to build sustainable careers. Through paid, short-term placements and a focus on leadership development, YouthWorks plays a critical role in addressing youth unemployment, fostering inclusion, and promoting economic mobility.
Team Spotlight: Haydee Lamberty-Rodriguez
Today, we are spotlighting Haydee Lamberty-Rodriguez, Associate Director of YouthWorks at Commonwealth Corporation. An accomplished professional in career, learning, and organizational development, Haydee brings deep expertise in workforce development, program design, facilitation, and transformational leadership. Through her work, she helps develop strategies and learning experiences that support organizational goals, strengthen communities, and create meaningful opportunities for young people. She is also passionate about expanding access to higher education and creating opportunities for people from historically underserved communities to grow and thrive. When she is not working, you can find her traveling with her beloved husband, their two adult children, who are her pride and joy, and their dog, Bear.Q: Can you tell us about your professional journey and what led you to this role and to working in youth workforce development?
A: My professional journey has primarily been rooted in Organizational Learning and Development within the private sector. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping individuals gain the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed both professionally and personally. Supporting people in their growth and development has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
I was presented with an opportunity to bring that passion into the public education system, where I led the creation of Springfield Public Schools’ first Student Employment Program. That experience was a turning point in my career because it introduced me to the field of workforce development and opened my eyes to the critical role it plays in preparing young people for future success.
Working directly with students reinforced my understanding of the importance of workforce readiness training and programming, especially for young people who may not otherwise have access to career exploration opportunities. I saw firsthand how career exposure, employability skills, and meaningful work experiences can positively impact a young person’s future.
Through community partnerships, I learned about my current role with YouthWorks. The opportunity felt like a full-circle moment, allowing me to combine my experience in learning and development with my passion for workforce readiness and community service. Today, I’m grateful to support programming that helps young people build pathways to success while strengthening our workforce and communities.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you, and how does your work directly impact young people across Massachusetts?
A: In my role, no two days are exactly the same. My work is centered on ensuring that our staff and program partners have the knowledge, tools, resources, and support they need to deliver high-quality workforce readiness training to participants across the state.
I lead the Learning, Development, and Support team, where I support my staff with facilitating training, developing learning materials, providing program guidance, troubleshooting technical issues, collaborating with internal and external partners, and identifying ways to strengthen the program. A major focus of our work is supporting program facilitators who deliver our signature Signal Success work-readiness training for youth and young adults. I also support the YouthWorks Grant Management team and partner with the leadership team on strategic initiatives and projects.
While I may not work directly with participants, my work has a broad impact on young people across the Commonwealth. By equipping facilitators and program partners with effective training, resources, and ongoing support, we help ensure that participants receive high-quality workforce readiness programming and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in work, school, and future careers.
What I find most rewarding is knowing that the support my team provides creates a ripple effect strengthening program delivery, empowering facilitators, and ultimately helping youth and young adults build a foundation for long-term success.
Q: How does YouthWorks contribute to the broader mission of strengthening the workforce and expanding opportunity?
A: YouthWorks contributes to strengthening the workforce and expanding opportunity by investing in young people early and helping them build the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed.
Through funding and support provided to partners across the state, YouthWorks connects youth and young adults to workforce readiness training, career exploration opportunities, meaningful work experiences, and supportive services that help address barriers to success. These experiences allow participants to develop workplace skills, explore different career paths, and gain confidence in their abilities.
By creating opportunities that may not otherwise be accessible, YouthWorks helps build a stronger pipeline of future talent while supporting communities across Massachusetts. The impact extends beyond individual participants; it is an investment in both young people and the future workforce.
Q: Is there a moment or experience in your work that has stuck with you or reflects the impact of YouthWorks?
A: This spring, I had the opportunity to attend the final day of a week-long YouthWorks Academy hosted by one of our program partners during school vacation week. More than 40 young people participated in work-readiness training, engaged with professionals from a variety of fields through a speaker series, and worked in teams to develop projects that they presented at the end of the week.
What stood out most was watching participants prepare for their final presentations. They were fully invested in their projects, rehearsing, encouraging one another, and working together to ensure everyone succeeded. The presentations were outstanding: thoughtful, creative, and informative, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, culinary arts, community engagement, and graphic design. They prepared and presented themselves as true young professionals.
It was a powerful reminder of the impact YouthWorks can have. Seeing the confidence, teamwork, and communication skills the participants demonstrated was proof that when we invest in high-quality programming, we create meaningful opportunities for growth and success. Moments like that reinforce why this work is so important and rewarding.
Q: It's summertime! What are your summer plans and activities outside of work?
A: I’m excited for summer! Each year, my family comes together for a trip or special experience, and this year we’re heading to Maine. I’ve never been, so I’m looking forward to exploring the beautiful coastline, spending time at the beach, and enjoying some great local seafood.
We’re also hoping to visit nearby York and see the iconic Nubble Lighthouse, which I am super excited about. Overall, I’m excited to relax, make memories with family, and enjoy a different corner of New England this summer.
About YouthWorks:
A: My professional journey has primarily been rooted in Organizational Learning and Development within the private sector. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping individuals gain the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed both professionally and personally. Supporting people in their growth and development has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
I was presented with an opportunity to bring that passion into the public education system, where I led the creation of Springfield Public Schools’ first Student Employment Program. That experience was a turning point in my career because it introduced me to the field of workforce development and opened my eyes to the critical role it plays in preparing young people for future success.
Working directly with students reinforced my understanding of the importance of workforce readiness training and programming, especially for young people who may not otherwise have access to career exploration opportunities. I saw firsthand how career exposure, employability skills, and meaningful work experiences can positively impact a young person’s future.
Through community partnerships, I learned about my current role with YouthWorks. The opportunity felt like a full-circle moment, allowing me to combine my experience in learning and development with my passion for workforce readiness and community service. Today, I’m grateful to support programming that helps young people build pathways to success while strengthening our workforce and communities.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you, and how does your work directly impact young people across Massachusetts?
A: In my role, no two days are exactly the same. My work is centered on ensuring that our staff and program partners have the knowledge, tools, resources, and support they need to deliver high-quality workforce readiness training to participants across the state.
I lead the Learning, Development, and Support team, where I support my staff with facilitating training, developing learning materials, providing program guidance, troubleshooting technical issues, collaborating with internal and external partners, and identifying ways to strengthen the program. A major focus of our work is supporting program facilitators who deliver our signature Signal Success work-readiness training for youth and young adults. I also support the YouthWorks Grant Management team and partner with the leadership team on strategic initiatives and projects.
While I may not work directly with participants, my work has a broad impact on young people across the Commonwealth. By equipping facilitators and program partners with effective training, resources, and ongoing support, we help ensure that participants receive high-quality workforce readiness programming and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in work, school, and future careers.
What I find most rewarding is knowing that the support my team provides creates a ripple effect strengthening program delivery, empowering facilitators, and ultimately helping youth and young adults build a foundation for long-term success.
Q: How does YouthWorks contribute to the broader mission of strengthening the workforce and expanding opportunity?
A: YouthWorks contributes to strengthening the workforce and expanding opportunity by investing in young people early and helping them build the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed.
Through funding and support provided to partners across the state, YouthWorks connects youth and young adults to workforce readiness training, career exploration opportunities, meaningful work experiences, and supportive services that help address barriers to success. These experiences allow participants to develop workplace skills, explore different career paths, and gain confidence in their abilities.
By creating opportunities that may not otherwise be accessible, YouthWorks helps build a stronger pipeline of future talent while supporting communities across Massachusetts. The impact extends beyond individual participants; it is an investment in both young people and the future workforce.
Q: Is there a moment or experience in your work that has stuck with you or reflects the impact of YouthWorks?
A: This spring, I had the opportunity to attend the final day of a week-long YouthWorks Academy hosted by one of our program partners during school vacation week. More than 40 young people participated in work-readiness training, engaged with professionals from a variety of fields through a speaker series, and worked in teams to develop projects that they presented at the end of the week.
What stood out most was watching participants prepare for their final presentations. They were fully invested in their projects, rehearsing, encouraging one another, and working together to ensure everyone succeeded. The presentations were outstanding: thoughtful, creative, and informative, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, culinary arts, community engagement, and graphic design. They prepared and presented themselves as true young professionals.
It was a powerful reminder of the impact YouthWorks can have. Seeing the confidence, teamwork, and communication skills the participants demonstrated was proof that when we invest in high-quality programming, we create meaningful opportunities for growth and success. Moments like that reinforce why this work is so important and rewarding.
Q: It's summertime! What are your summer plans and activities outside of work?
A: I’m excited for summer! Each year, my family comes together for a trip or special experience, and this year we’re heading to Maine. I’ve never been, so I’m looking forward to exploring the beautiful coastline, spending time at the beach, and enjoying some great local seafood.
We’re also hoping to visit nearby York and see the iconic Nubble Lighthouse, which I am super excited about. Overall, I’m excited to relax, make memories with family, and enjoy a different corner of New England this summer.
About YouthWorks:
YouthWorks provides Massachusetts youth with paid work experiences and workforce development opportunities. The program operates year-round, serving participants from 14 to 25 years old, with a special focus on vulnerable populations. Through collaboration with MassHire and local partners, YouthWorks aims to reduce unemployment, increase career awareness, and empower the next generation of Massachusetts workers.
Skills Development: Building the Foundation for Success through YouthWorks
- Focus on Soft Skills Development: YouthWorks prioritizes soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, which are crucial for career success. Employers increasingly value these skills alongside technical abilities.
- Collaboration with Employers: YouthWorks collaborates with local employers to align the curriculum with industry needs, ensuring that the training participants receive is relevant and applicable.
- Mentorship Opportunities: The program includes mentorship components, providing young people with guidance as they navigate their career exploration and development.
- Career Pathway Exploration: YouthWorks not only offers job placements but also assists participants in exploring different career pathways, helping them identify their interests and strengths.
- Signal Success Integration: YouthWorks participants engage with Signal Success, a comprehensive career-readiness curriculum that strengthens workplace skills — such as initiative, communication, collaboration, and dependability —while supporting career exploration and future planning.
- Community and Networking: The program fosters community among participants, leading to networking opportunities and enhancing social skills.
For more information about YouthWorks, visit commcorp.org/youthworks
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About CommCorp
Commonwealth Corporation is a quasi-public agency in Massachusetts overseen by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Our mission is to foster workforce equity by delivering innovative and collaborative professional development solutions that help diverse communities and employers succeed. We administer and deliver a wide range of publicly and privately funded grant programs to create or expand education and training capacity for in-demand occupations. For more information, please contact us.
