Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is seeking employers to exhibit at the 2012 Berkshire Career Fair on Thursday, April 26 at Berkshire Hills Country Club.
The Berkshire Career Fair is open to the general public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes.
Last year, more than 40 companies participated, offering an array of job opportunities from entry level to high-level management positions.
"We have many quality employers returning to the career fair again this year, allowing job-seekers to see first-hand the exciting employment opportunities available in the region and giving them the opportunity to make valuable face-to-face connections with a variety of businesses," said Christine Hoyt, director of programs and events for the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. "We look forward to another great Career Fair."
Career fair exhibitors may choose between six-foot and eight-foot tables, each with table skirting. Prices for Berkshire Chamber members are $99 for the six-foot table or $125 for the eight-foot table. Non-members prices are $150 for a six-foot table or $180 for the eight-foot table. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Christine Hoyt at 413-499-4000, ext. 26 or choyt@berkshirechamber.com.
As an added benefit, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is offering a series of workshops in association with BerkshireWorks Career Center to help exhibitors and job-seekers alike prepare for this highly anticipated event.
► Creating Your Resume: April 11, 10 a.m. – noon; Facilitator: Barbara Emanuel
► Job Fair to Job Offer: April 18, 10 a.m. – noon; Facilitators: Barbara Emanuel and Barbara Bond
► Job Club: Job Fair – Do's and Don'ts: April 23, 1 – 2 p.m.; Facilitator: Millie Calesky
► Job Club: Confidence Building for Job Seekers: April 30, 1 – 2 p.m.; Facilitator: Millie Calesky
All workshops will be held at BerkshireWorks Career Center, 160 North St. and are free and open to the public. To register, visit www.berkshireworks.org or call 413-499-2220, ext. 110.
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. has released its annual economic review of the four westernmost counties.
"Pioneering Futures: Western Massachustts Economic Review 2012" looks at the demographics, work force, education, lifestyles and industries of Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties.
"Western Massachusetts offers a prosperous future for businesses looking to move to the region," said Peter J. Clarke, president and chief operating officer of WMECo. "WMECo proudly produces this publication in order to expose the many appealing attributes of this unique location."
The report compares the region to other areas of New England and the nation. Some of its findings are not surprising, such as lower housing and costs of living, the high number of educational and cultural institutions and the proximity of urban centers and rail and air transport. The cost of living is near the national average but housing costs are 6 percent below. The per capita income is $37,888.
Among the reports findings:
* A third of the population 25 and older holds at least bachelor's degree
* Less than 10 percent of total resident employement is in manufacturing
* One of the nation's highest concentrations of colleges and universities
* One of the nation's highest concentrations of health-care related employment
Find the entire report online here or request printed copies by calling 413-787-9333.
Pittsfield Sees Job Gains Over Year
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development On: 10:31AM / Tuesday December 20, 2011
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
BOSTON — The Pittsfield metropolitan area had one of the biggest percentage gains in jobs over the past year, up 3.7 percent, as the state has continued to see a drop in unemployment rates.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development on Tuesday reported that the November seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates were down over-the-month in 19 areas and up in three areas — Tisbury, Nantucket and Barnstable. Statewide, the November seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent, down from 6.8 percent in October. Over-the-year the statewide rate was down 1.7 percentage points from the 8.1 percent rate recorded for November 2010. All 22 labor area rates were down over the year.
In November, over-the-month job gains occurred in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Worcester, Framingham, Springfield, Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, and New Bedford areas. Five areas posted job losses, including the Pittsfield, which shed 300 jobs.
Over-the-year, all 12 areas added jobs with the largest gains in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Worcester, Framingham and Springfield areas. The largest percentage gains occurred in the Pittsfield, Worcester and Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton areas.
Pittsfield Metro
Total Employment
Over-the-year
Nov. 2010
35,600
8.2 %
1,300 job gain
Nov. 2011
36,900
6.6%
up 3.7 %
The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate released on Dec. 15 showed a 5,000 over-the-month job gain. The seasonally adjusted statewide November unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent from the October rate of 7.3 percent, and was down 1.3 percentage points from the 8.3 percent rate recorded in November 2010. The national rate is 8.6 percent, down from 9.8 percent in November 2010.
The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.
The December 2011 unemployment rate, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Jan. 19, 2012; local unemployment statistics will be released on Jan. 24, 2012. Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi. See the revised February 2011 Media Advisory annual schedule for complete listing of release dates.
pittsfiedl total employment nov. 2010 35,600 nov. 2011 36,900 OTY 2010 1300 jobs for 3.7 percent
October Unemployment Rate Steady at 7.3%
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development On: 10:26AM / Thursday November 17, 2011
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
BOSTON – The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday that preliminary October estimates show an increase of 10,800 jobs in Massachusetts, for a total of 3,239,300 jobs. The total unemployment rate remained at 7.3 percent, well below the national rate of 9.0 percent, and the state's lowest monthly rate since January 2009.
Eight of the 10 private sectors added jobs in October with the largest gains in Education and Health Services (4,700); Financial Activities (1,900); Construction (1,700); Professional, Scientific, and Business Services (1,700); and Government (2,600). There were losses over the month in Leisure and Hospitality (2,700) and Information (1,300) although both sectors are still up over last year.
The October job gain follows a revised 5,500 job loss in September.
The October estimates show 3,237,700 Massachusetts residents were employed and 253,500 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,491,200. The labor force increased by 12,400 from 3,478,800 in September, as 13,900 more residents were employed and 1,500 fewer residents were unemployed over-the-month. Since October 2009, there are 69,300 more residents employed and 50,900 fewer residents unemployed as the labor force increased by 18,400. Totals for October may not add exactly because of rounding.
Bank Presidents Joseph Truskowski, left, and Charles O'Brien announced the merging in September and they expect it to be complete in 2012.
BOSTON — The state unemployment has dropped from 7.4 to 7.3 percent in September, the lowest rate since January 2009, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The rate is lower than the national jobless rate of 9.1.
Preliminary September job estimates show a decrease of 2,300 jobs for a total of 3,231,700 jobs in Massachusetts. The September job loss follows a revised 10,500 job loss in August, previously reported as a loss of 8,900 jobs.
In September, Information; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; Education and Health Services; and Manufacturing posted over-the-month job gains.
Year-to-date (December 2010 to September 2011), 37,900 jobs have been added in the Bay State with 43,800 private sector jobs added. Over-the-year (September 2010 to September 2011), jobs are up 48,700, for a growth rate of 1.5 percent. Private sector jobs are up 53,800, for a growth rate of 2.0 percent with gains in nine of the 10 sectors. Over-the-year, the national rate of job growth is 1.1 percent with private sector job growth up 1.7 percent.
The largest job gains over the month were in Information (5,200); the biggest losses were in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (3,500).
Local area unemployment statistics for September 2011 will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The full press release is here.
BOSTON — The Pittsfield metropolitan area had one of the biggest percentage gains in jobs over the past year, up 3.7 percent, as the state has continued to see a drop in unemployment rates. 
