BCC Announces Addition of Three Free Healthcare Courses

08:10AM / Tuesday, December 27, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of three grant-funded courses in the healthcare arena: Medical Interpreter Training, Community Health Worker and Phlebotomy Technician.

Spaces are limited but still available for all three courses, which are tuition-free.

"We are thrilled to offer to the community these grant-funded programs, which will help fill the workforce gap in Berkshire County," said Tiffany Moreno, Instructional Program Manager: Health & Wellness. "The programs, which can be completed in one year or less, will provide the skills required for immediate entry into high-demand jobs."

The free courses are:

Medical Interpreter Training: January 19-April 27, 2023, Thursdays 6-9 pm and Saturdays 8:30-11:30 am.

A medical interpreter is someone who can break language barriers by using their linguistic skills to provide medical interpreting services to patients and medical professionals. This program provides hybrid (classroom and online) instruction. Participants build on interpreting skills, acquire knowledge specific to anatomy and psychology, develop terminology focused on the human body and more. Students must be fluent in both English and a second language.

Community Health Worker, February 2-May 18, 2023, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 pm.

The Community Health Worker program provides training for public health workers to serve as advocates and liaisons between traditionally underserved populations and health/social service providers. This program benefits anyone interested in exploring

educational and career pathways in community health, human services, healthcare or public health.

Phlebotomy Technician, February 7-May 2, 2023, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 pm.

A phlebotomist is a medical professional who is trained to collect blood from both children and adults. They perform and prepare blood for testing so that it may be analyzed in a medical laboratory. This program provides hybrid (classroom and online) instruction. Instructors will discuss real life scenarios and provide the tools needed for success in the field.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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