job training

A recently released report in Massachusetts analyzed and made recommendations on how to address the growing skills gap in education and workforce.

The report is titled Closing the Massachusetts Skills Gap: Recommendations and Action Steps, and is published by the Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public organization within the state’s Executive Office of Labor of Workforce Development.

On Monday, a new initiative to bring together the public and private sectors was announced to help foster small business development in the Berkshires.

The Berkshire Enterprises program, part of Berkshire Community College’s Office for Workforce Development, was presented with new collaborative space at the 1 Berkshire Strategic Alliance in Downtown Pittsfield.

A series of state-funded grants recently announced by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick aims to create hundreds of jobs and train thousands of workers in the Commonwealth. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Announced by the Patrick-Murray Administration, the wave of grants through the Workforce Training Fund aims to boost the Massachusetts economy by providing job training to over 6,300 workers, and producing an estimated 682 jobs. The $6.8 million is being divided among 87 companies in a variety of fields across the Commonwealth.

The Mayors of Pittsfield and North Adams are encouraging employers in Berkshire County to recognize National Employ Older Workers Week. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports from North Adams, where a proclamation was signed today.

Roger Suters, Director of Community Services at Berkshire Elder Services says that for Berkshire County, the loss of manufacturing jobs has pushed much of the younger work force out. Now, he says, the percentage of workers over the age of 55 in the area is 21%.