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McCann Technical School instructor Glenn Andrews, left, and John Kline, right, with welding program graduates Logan O'Neil, Steven Barbeau and Grant Collingwood-Fox.

Berkshire Advanced Manufacturing Training Graduates 56

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Despite interruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 56 trainees completed their training as part of the Berkshire Advanced Manufacturing Program. 
 
Some 21 unemployed and underemployed participants received certificates of completion for their participation in Introduction to Basic Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training held at Taconic High School in Pittsfield and McCann Technical School in North Adams. The training was 120 hours.
 
Six trainees completed training in MIG and TIG Welding held McCann Tech. The training combined classroom, hands-on as well as virtual training through ToolingU on-line manufacturing. Trainees received instruction in blueprint reading, shop math, computer-aided drafting, CAM, machining, and mill and lathe programming; as well as receiving OSHA 10 cards. The training was 95 hours.
 
These skills prepared participants to apply for entry-level positions at local manufacturers. In conjunction with the training, participants were given the opportunity to apply for employment through two virtual job fairs sponsored by the MassHire Career Center.  
 
Additionally, 17 individuals, participated in a one-day Hoisting Training that prepared them to take the state licensure exams in 1A and 3C hoisting. Both unemployed and underemployed individuals, as well as incumbent workers from Berkshire employers, took advantage of this training.
 
As part of the grant funding, Berkshire Workforce board was able to offer 12 On-the-Job training financial assistance to area manufacturers. This funding assists employers to reduce the cost of supporting the training of new hires particularly in entry-level positions. 
 
LTI Specialty Glass, Unistress and Valmet took advantage of this program. 
 
"MassHire's OJT program helped LTI in a significant way," Christopher Kapiloff, vice president of LTI Glass, said. "With their help, we were able to provide employment to people who would not have been hired otherwise. It was good for the employee, for LTI and good for Berkshire County."
 
These trainings are part of a $178,000 state grant awarded to the Berkshire Workforce Board for fiscal year 2020 to support the education and training of individuals with entry-level skills needed to enter and/or advance within the Advanced Manufacturing workforce in Berkshire County. Funding was provided by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and administered by the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. 
 
This is the fifth year of providing this training. Graduates have attained positions at manufacturing companies such as: General Dynamics, Spectrum Technologies, LTI Glass, T&A Tool, Lenco Armored Cars, RIBCo, Data Flute, Unistress, Covanta LLC, Onyx Specialty Papers, Lansen Mold, and Modern Mold and Tool.
 
The Berkshire Workforce Board is the grant recipient, and partners in the grant include area manufacturing employers Spectrum Technology, Cavallero Plastics, Crane & Co., Interprint, LTI Glass and Onyx Specialty Paper; Berkshire Community College, McCann Technical School, MassHire Berkshire Career Center, and Pittsfield Public Schools.
 

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North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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