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Community Coalition And North Adams Chamber Partner On Workforce Program

This is a picture of a job listing.
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A number of social service agencies and area businesses are partnering on an effort to increase workforce development in northern Berkshire County.December’s unemployment rate for Massachusetts was 4.6 percent, but in the North Adams metropolitan area the rate was 6.7. That’s worse than the rest of Berkshire County, with the Pittsfield region coming in at 5.6 and Great Barrington at 4.3. In response to a traditionally higher unemployment rate, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is rolling out a pilot program called “Employ North Berkshire.”

“It was the result of business leaders, unemployed folks, social service agents and community members trying to tackle a basic question which is ‘Why is it that we have nearly 2,000 open jobs in the region and why is it that we have so many people unemployed at the same time and how can we address that problem?’” said Hinds.

NBCC Executive Director Adam Hinds says the effort is essentially a pact between businesses, training agencies and potential employees.

“If you’re participating as a business you commit to hire somebody,” Hinds explained. “The training organizations, like Berkshire Community College, MCLA Adult Basic Education, Goodwill and others, commit to training the participants for the needs of the businesses. The potential employees agree to see through the fruition of employment.”

NBCC is providing a success or job coach to help participants overcome any obstacles to sustained employment or training. Hinds, who is running for the Massachusetts Senate, says the program is targeting people who are not participating in the job market.

“It might be folks whose benefits have run out,” Hinds said. “It might be folks who have actively taken themselves out of the job market. It’s not necessarily incumbent workers, its more folks who are at home right now and making the choice not to participate.”

With roughly 100 members, the North Adams Chamber of Commerce plans to survey area businesses to find out what their needs are and later enroll some in the program. Chamber President Glenn Maloney says the openings stretch across multiple job sectors.

“One of the challenges that we have in this area is trying to match up those available jobs with qualified employees,” Maloney said. “We’ve got folks that are looking to fill positions that are good positions out there. And even as employer here with experience, trying to find those people that are actually qualified for it or in a position where you can train and build them for that — trying to find that right fit.” 

NBCC plans to gauge the success of 10 participants with the hope that they can sustain employment for at least 6 months. The coalition is funding the program with the help of community partners like the First Congregational Church of Williamstown. Meanwhile, the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board is coordinating a $138,000 state grant to support six months of free manufacturing training for more than 60 people.

Further information: If you own or manage a local business, we would love input on your needs and experiences regarding new hires. To participate, please contact Ricco Fruscio at (413) 441-4588 or via email at ricco@northadamschamber.com. For more information on Employ North Berkshire, call Annie Rodgers at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at (413) 663-7588.

Jim is WAMC’s Associate News Director and hosts WAMC's flagship news programs: Midday Magazine, Northeast Report and Northeast Report Late Edition. Email: jlevulis@wamc.org
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