BerkshireWorks Sets North Berkshire Hours
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The office in North Adams was recently shut down and consolidated with Pittsfield as part of budget-cutting measures imposed because of state and federal cuts, and over the objections of local officials. Local labor officials say the decision to reduce staff in North County was also prompted by a decline in activity outside of unemployment claims and as a way to provide services more efficiently.
Instead, BerkshireWorks Career Center staff will be available on Thursday mornings at the Berkshire Visitors Bureau Center in Adams and in the afternoons at the North Adams Public Library.
"It is clear that by streamlining services we will be able to maintain the assortment and quality of programming our customers have come to expect throughout the region," said Albert A. Ingegni III, chairman of the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board Inc. "BerkshireWorks has worked closely with the library and Visitors Bureau to ensure that our Northern Berkshire residents have access to job search and career center services and we believe they have come up with a good solution."
Mayor Richard Alcombright of North Adams and Town Manager Jonathan Butler of Adams were strong advocates for services to remain in Northern Berkshire.
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Career Center materials will be available at both sites, including job orders (to be dropped off every Monday and Thursday), brochures, and monthly activity calendars for both Pittsfield and North Adams. Group workshops will be held on the third Thursday of the month at the North Adams Library on employment topics or with recruitment and guest speakers.
Unemployment insurance claims must be filed by telephone, online or by visiting the Pittsfield location at 160 North St. The state will eliminate all claim filing from career centers beginning Jan. 1, 2012. However, BerkshireWorks has arranged to have someone from the Division of Career Services available to answer questions during the Thursday sessions.
"We are looking at ways to try to expand upon existing job seeker services including more online services," said Ingegni, "and will continuously revisit the hours and dates for Northern Berkshire to make sure we are meeting the needs of the community."
Information can always be accessed at www.BerkshireWorks.org or by calling 413-499-2220.
