INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

The Workforce Training Fund Program in Massachusetts offers an exciting opportunity for companies to access training resources and enhance their workforce’s skills. At MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, we’re here to guide companies through the grant application process, offer workshops on crafting high-quality applications, and provide support in assembling the grant.

Explore the benefits of the WTFP and reach out to us today to learn more and take advantage of this valuable resource to boost your workforce’s capabilities.

Manufacturing in Berkshire County Woven into the historical fabric of Berkshire County, manufacturing is a priority industry in the region. Once dominated by a handful of large industries, the economic landscape of the county is now comprised of smaller, niche-manufacturers, who specialize in areas including paper, plastics, medical devices and aeronautics.

Five Year Plan – Western Mass Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Training 2023 – The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board (BWB) has received $164,000 in funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to bolster career advancement opportunities within the manufacturing sector. In collaboration with our esteemed employer partners, educational and training institutions, as well as community-based organizations, the BWB has meticulously designed and executed a diverse range of training programs. These initiatives are aimed at benefitting individuals who are unemployed, under-employed, as well as incumbent workers across Berkshire County.

For further information about these exciting opportunities, please contact our Industry Coordinator, Sara, at 413-442-7177 extension 153.

Manufacturing BRIDGE – The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board identifies workforce needs within the manufacturing industry and works with our education/training providers to develop solutions to their recruitment, retention and training needs.

Healthcare Collaborative – The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board is dedicated to fostering collaboration within the healthcare sector. Twice annually, we bring together our valued healthcare partners to assess workforce needs, identify gaps, and jointly develop initiatives aimed at addressing them. These efforts are instrumental in providing specialized training for essential healthcare roles such as registered nurses, certified nursing assistants/personal care attendants (CNA/PCA), technicians, and behavioral therapists.

Berkshire Nursing Assistant Program – (Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (2019-2021)) – Through a comprehensive partnership of Berkshire County’s healthcare employers, educators, workforce professionals, social service agencies and career development agencies, the Berkshire Nursing Assistant program proposes to directly address the needs of our healthcare industry to develop 70 Certified Nursing Assistants throughout the 2-year, $218K grant. Populations served will include un/underemployed with emphasis on attracting younger and older workers, Veterans, persons with disabilities and homemakers.

The DayTime Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program will utilize the current Berkshire Health Systems/Berkshire Community College evening program guidelines to provide a program that is accessible to those who do not have the ability to attend a night course. For infomation and to apply to our upcoming cohort click here.

Berkshire Healthcare Systems has researched and partnered with the American Health Care Association (AHCA)’s How to be a Nurse Assistant Program which is a blended online nurse assistant course. The didactic work is completed online with an online state approved instructor monitoring and assisting students. The lab and clinical hours are completed at a Berkshire Healthcare Systems facility. Students can access the course from their tablets, PC’s, or smartphones when connected to the internet. For more information and to apply to our upcoming cohort click here.

Berkshire Healthcare Hub – The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board has received a 6-month planning grant October 2020 to establish an action plan to address the workforce needs of our Berkshire Healthcare providers.

In partnership with Berkshire County’s 12 high schools, the BWB prioritizes enriching educational experiences. Together, we have established structured work and learning programs that have a profound impact on the region’s students.

Annually, we see approximately 500 students actively engaged in internships, gaining practical skills and valuable industry insights. Another 2,500 students participate in dynamic career exploration activities, allowing them to discover their passions and potential career paths. Moreover, our commitment extends to educators who partake in Teacher Externship programs and other professional development opportunities, including the enriching Upper Housatonic River Valley Education Experience.

For more information about these transformative educational initiatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help students, educators and schools harness the full potential of these programs.

Berkshire County STEM Week October 19-23, 2020 – The Berkshire STEM Network established a variety of activities to help students, educators, parents and the community learn more about Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) in the Berkshires. The 2020 theme is “See Yourself in STEM”. Here is the week’s STEM-Week-Overview-2020. There are virtual tours, conversations with engineers and physcians, exploring the solar system, and many other engaging activites! Free and open to the public, the week will feature a virtual series of unique panels, workshops, speakers, virtual tours, and information about opportunities that exist in science, technology, engineering, and math in the Berkshires and beyond.

The Berkshire STEM Network (including the Berkshire Workforce Board) developed a series of virtual workshops, videos, and activities to highlight Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in the Berkshires. Click here for a series of 15 videos that our partners at Pittsfield TV helped to showcase!

MassHire Berkshire Career Center will have a virtual STEM Job Fair on October 21-23, and the Berkshire Museum will offer “Be a Chemist,” a live virtual event where students can conduct safe experiments with items in their kitchens. Hancock Shaker Village will offer a virtual tour, and General Dynamics has developed a website for students featuring 15 different at-home science experiments suitable for every grade.

The Massachusetts STEM Summit is an annual statewide event that attracts leaders and practitioners from the state’s education, business and government sectors, all dedicated to promoting a STEM-literate workforce and citizenry. With stimulating plenary speakers, diverse topical interest panel sessions, and opportunities for networking, the STEM Summit has grown into an annual opportunity for sharing innovative ideas, discussing groundbreaking policies and strategies, and celebrating the tremendous ongoing work taking place at all levels of education and workforce development throughout the state. Massachusetts has held an annual statewide STEM Summit since 2004.

Learn More

Learn about the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board’s key initiatives below.

Key Initiatives

Priority Sectors

Many regional efforts are underway through the Berkshire Workforce Board, working collectively with our employers, education/training providers and community partners to assist in developing solid career pathways and recruitment and retention activities to help the Berkshire business community thrive.

Healthcare and Social Assistance

The healthcare and social assistance sector employs the largest number of employees (11,500) in Berkshire County, and includes a range of companies and non-profit organizations that provide diagnostic, preventive, curative and therapeutic services through hospitals, doctor offices, medical groups, rehabilitation and long-term care organizations. Click here for pathways in healthcare.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector in Berkshire County employs more than 6,500 people and is the fifth largest industry sector in the region. Advanced manufacturing services use innovative technology, high-precision equipment and engineering methods to improve products and processes through production, engineering, advanced materials, defense and medical and life sciences. Click here for pathways in manufacturing.

Hospitality and Tourism

The hospitality and tourism sector is the region’s fourth largest industry sector in Berkshire County employing more than 600 workers. This industry consists of hotels/inns, restaurants and food service enterprises, recreation and attractions and other supporting industries that attract visitors to the region. Click here for pathways in hospitality/tourism.

The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund will provide up to $500,000 to the Berkshire Region to develop a sectoral training strategy for critical industries in the region. The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board will be taking the lead in developing a strategy for the healthcare and applied technology industries in our regoin. The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board will also be partnering with Older Worker Community Based Organizations to apply for an older worker component to assit the travel/tourism and retail industries. For more information, please contact Heather Boulger at (413) 442-7177.

Berkshire Compact for Education – Raising the aspirations of young people for college and career readiness. Youth Programs include College Visits for 3rd & 6th graders; Eight grade North County Career Fair; Readiness Center; Wee Read Berkshire County; 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program; and Berkshire United Way’s You First! Day of Caring.

Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund

Berkshire Compact for Education

The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund will provide up to $500,000 to the Berkshire region to develop a sectoral training strategy for critical industries in the region. The BWB will be taking the lead in developing a strategy for the healthcare and applied technology industries in our region. The BWB will also be partnering with Older Worker Community Based Organizations to apply for an older worker component to assist the hospitality/tourism and retail industries.

Berkshire Compact for Education – Raising the aspirations of young people for college and career readiness. Youth Programs include College Visits for 3rd & 6th graders; Eight grade North County Career Fair; Readiness Center; Wee Read Berkshire County; 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program; and Berkshire United Way’s You First! Day of Caring.

Have questions? Reach out anytime.

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