MassHire to pilot in-person 'grits' workshop with tech entrepreneur Todd Hussey to help job seekers adapt to AI

MassHire Central Region Workforce Board announced it will pilot an in-person workshop at its Worcester career center designed to strengthen what the program’s guest called the ‘‘human skills’’ employers increasingly seek as artificial intelligence automates repetitive work.

Todd Hussey, a tech entrepreneur invited to the Working Lunch program, said the pilot will focus on five skill areas he calls "grits": grind (work ethic), respect, inquisitiveness, the ability to communicate ("talk") and smarter thinking (problem solving). Hussey described the format as team-based exercises, role playing and a workbook, with seven sessions and an optional 30-day follow-up to measure progress and reinforce habits. "We're going to give them the workbook," Hussey said, outlining the plan for a baseline self-assessment and a follow-up to track improvement.

Why it matters: Hussey and the hosts framed the workshop as a response to rapid AI adoption in workplaces. Hussey noted that recent public large-model systems have brought AI to wide attention and urged job seekers to experiment with tools such as ChatGPT to learn how they work. He argued AI is already handling repetitive tasks—from basic accounting work to some customer-service functions—and that employers are looking for workers who pair technical skills with judgment, communication and persistence.

Hussey cited hiring experience to make the case for prioritizing human skills in entry-level roles: "The hard skills are gonna get you the interview. The human skills are gonna get you the job," he said. The hosts added that MassHire's career center will pilot the curriculum and that the first cohort will be run at the center in Worcester, with career center staff supporting recruitment and follow-up.

About the curriculum and delivery: Hussey said the workshop is not slide-driven; it relies on active practice of the five human-skill components in teams, role playing and a workbook of exercises participants are expected to use between sessions. The hosts discussed a roughly seven-session pilot with in-person meetings and a virtual follow-up option. MassHire staff members mentioned the career center will provide sign-up information and that the program is being piloted as part of broader career-center offerings.

Context and related programming: Hosts noted the career center's recent summer YouthWorks placements and local partnerships that place young people in work and learning experiences. Jeff Turgeon said the pilot is an example of programs MassHire is testing to help job seekers adapt as employers change hiring priorities.

Next steps: MassHire will pilot the seven-session program at the Worcester career center and hold a 30-day optional follow-up to assess participant progress. Hosts encouraged listeners to watch additional Working Lunch bonus content about recent career fairs and to contact the career center for registration details.