Goodwill to Host Workshops for Workforce Development Month

12:38PM / Tuesday, September 06, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 2, 2022) — Throughout September, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont is celebrating National Workforce Development Month, which recognizes the hard work and significant impact made by workforce professionals in advancing national and local economies today, with two workshops.

Goodwill will hold two employability skills workshops this month, from Sept. 6 through 8 in Pittsfield, and Sept. 20 through 22 in North Adams, from 1 to 4 p.m. The training programs, which will be offered in person and virtually, focus on assisting participants to acquire the skills needed to obtain and retain employment.

"From résumé building and interview preparation to connecting job seekers to local employers and community colleges, Goodwill provides a range of services to help job seekers find good, sustainable jobs," said Kathy Anker, vice president of Mission Services.

To register and apply for a scholarship, go to goodwill-berkshires.org/programs/employability-workshops.html or 413-442-0061 x14.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest jobs report, nationally, unemployment has remained the same for months (currently at 3.7 percent) and wages are growing; however, millions of workers across the country still struggle with underemployment and low wages and more than 11 million jobs currently remain unfilled.

To learn more, visit www.goodwill-berkshires.org.

Tags: Goodwill, workforce development,

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Pittsfield Schools Consider Enhanced Bus Surveillance

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:58PM / Tuesday, October 20, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Pittsfield Public Schools are considering a couple of companies for enhanced bus safety surveillance after a spring pilot.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bonnie Howland reported that they have met with BusPatrol and Gatekeeper Systems, which offer automated stop-arm enforcement and video surveillance.

It is illegal for drivers to pass a school bus when the red warning lights are flashing, and the stop-sign arm is extended. This protects children exiting and entering the school bus.

A stop-arm camera pilot program was conducted in May.

"We currently have a four-camera system on the interior of the bus, so Gatekeeper is sort of better as far as functionality. It's a little more of an upfront investment," Howland told the School Committee last week.

"BusPatrol works where you basically have an installation of the cameras, and then as tickets are issued to people, you sort of regain your investment, so it's two different sort of cost profiles."

Gatekeeper would cost about $100,000 to purchase, while BusPatrol has no upfront cost and a monthly charge.

PPS is interested in putting cameras in all of its buses, about 30. Howland said that Gatekeeper has a little more robust system that fits into our current system, and Mayor Peter Marchetti reported that the company with no upfront cost helps secure a grant for implementation: $1,200 per camera and $250 a month per bus.

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