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Those looking for jobs or changes in career paths were able to connect with possible employers at the annual 1Berkshire career fair.

1Berkshire Sees More Employers At Career Fair With Move To BCC

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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A total of 80 employers had tables in the Paterson Field House.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With a new location, 1Berkshire grew its annual career fair this year.
 
The fair was traditionally held at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, which limited the number of employers to around 50.
 
Berkshire Community College has since offered up the Paterson Field House for it and on Wednesday some 80 employers were able to set up tables for the event.
 
"BCC approached us and asked if it was something we'd be open to doing. This is a perfect thing for us to work on together," said 1Berkshire Program and Event Specialist Danielle Thomas. 
 
Even with the additional space, Thomas said the organization still had to turn some employers away. Companies set up tables throughout the space and job seekers were able to browse through the available jobs. 
 
"The diversity of industry here is great for people looking for jobs as well as diverse geography," Thomas said. 
 
As of 2 p.m., the organizers didn't have an estimate on exactly how many job seekers attended. But Thomas said the fair typically draws about 250 people. This traffic levels seemed to eclipse that number, she said, with an increase in college students. With the move, the organization also asked employers to provide information on internships for students as well.
 
Thomas said the biggest rush of job seekers came right when the doors opened around 10 and traffic was steady until noon. It slowed down in the afternoon but when another round of classes let out around 2, Thomas expected to see yet another boost in traffic. 
 
This is also the first year the organization ran the fair under the 1Berkshire umbrella. The event was previously headed by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and last May it was merged into 1Berkshire, a combination of the chamber, Berkshire Creative and the Berkshire Visitor's Bureau.
 
"It is also the effort of 1Berkshire with us merging we were able to reach different businesses," Thomas said.
 
Using resources from the other former organizations, 1Berkshire's reach for finding new employers grew. Thomas said this year there were a number of businesses which never participated before joining, adding to the ones that traditionally participate every year. 
 
The organizers added one more feature this year. Tricia McCormack Photography was hand to take free professional headshots for the job seekers. 
 
The primary focus of the annual career fair is to help connect those seeking jobs or changes in work with the companies with vacancies. But, an additional bonus is that the company representatives get time to network with each other. 
 
The fair has its ebbs and flows with some years seeing huge numbers of job seekers - as high as 400 one year - and other years without so much. The same goes for employers. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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