PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire's Youth Leadership Program (YLP) announced the launch of the application process for the YLP class of 2023-2024.

 

The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, open to all current sophomores in the Berkshires, selects a cohort of up to 30 motivated students from all backgrounds for this ten-month experience that will help them to explore the regional economy and develop their leadership skills. Once selected, students will begin the program with a 2.5-day, 2-night retreat in June 2023.

 

At the retreat, students will meet for the first time, begin to build deep connections, and learn about and advance their individual leadership skills.

 

Over the following ten months, students will reconvene for one full-day each month, at various locations across the Berkshires (or virtually, in the case of severe weather conditions). During these sessions, students will meet with business leaders and dynamic community members to learn about sectors and careers in the regional economy, including but not limited to advanced manufacturing, healthcare, the creative economy, outdoor recreation, and hospitality and tourism. Students will develop leadership traits through activities within the sessions, and as a class, will develop and execute a collective community impact project that will enhance life in the Berkshires. 

 

"After a highly-successful relaunch of YLP this year, we are excited to welcome applications for another fantastic class this coming year," Ben Lamb, director of Economic Development at 1Berkshire, and program coordinator of the Youth Leadership Program. "Through the program students have a unique opportunity to grow as individuals and as members of a community spanning the Berkshires, while both cultivating a deep understanding of career opportunities available to them in the region and working together on a project that makes a positive impact in the region they call home."

 

This program is made possible through the ongoing financial support of Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, NBT Bank, and others. The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by 1Berkshire with the support of the volunteer Youth Leadership Program Steering Committee, composed of professionals from across the region who commit their time and expertise to develop and facilitate the entire program.

 

Until the Feb. 10 deadline, sophomores from any school in the Berkshires, and equivalent-aged home-schooled students, may submit an application for the program.

 

The application can be found at: https://form.jotform.com/223393584230152

 

Contact economicdev@1berkshire.com with any questions, and encourage any Berkshire County sophomores you know to apply.