MIT students studying local workforce barriers.

MIT students studying local workforce barriers.

LUDINGTON — Three students from the MIT Sloan School of Management are currently spending two weeks in Mason County to access barriers to workforce development and investigate the feasibility of expanding critical services, such as local childcare and transportation options. The students —

Madeleine Sessions, Elizabeth McKean and Faisal Seraj — are being hosting by Pennies from Heaven Foundation.

“We are thrilled to be working closely with MIT Sloan students on this important project,” said Monica Schuyler, executive director of Pennies from Heaven.  “In our county, an estimated 40% of the population struggles from paycheck-to-paycheck.  As a foundation, our goal is to help our community members become more self-sufficient.  When the students are here, we hope they will see the human side of our story and come away with an understanding of the many challenges that are involved in improving economic development and workforce training in a community.  We are eager and excited for fresh new eyes on this issue.”