The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board oversees workforce development efforts in Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, and Wareham. Included is the Greater New Bedford Career Center operated jointly by New Directions Southcoast, Inc. and the Massachusetts Division of Career Services. The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board is one of 16 similar Boards in Massachusetts. Workforce Investment Boards direct federal, state and private funding for educational and occupational skills programs. In addition to responsibilities mandated under the federal Workforce Investment Act, Boards have been called upon to play a major role in a variety of key state initiatives, and to define their vision, mission, and goals based on local community needs. The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. is a business-led, policy-setting board that oversees workforce development initiatives in the 10 community region stretching from Dartmouth to Wareham, MA. Appointed by New Bedford Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell, the Board is composed of business, civic, education, labor, and community leaders. The Board employs a staff of full-time professionals and maintains offices in New Bedford. The Board itself consists entirely of volunteers. All of the Board’s meetings are open to the public.