BCC Awarded Grant from Commonwealth for Commercial Driver's License Training

07:42AM / Thursday, December 18, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $132,825 grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, part of a total of $1.5 million awarded to community colleges to train more than 500 students across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

BCC's grant is earmarked for commercial driver's license (CDL) training. Trained CDL drivers are in high demand in the Berkshires and beyond. According to an American Trucking Association survey, more than 400,000 new truck drivers are needed in the United States every year.

The Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants provide essential training opportunities to unemployed and underemployed people across Massachusetts. These grants, administered through 13 of the state's public community colleges, are designed to equip adult workers with the skills necessary to thrive in key industry sectors. TRAIN grants also fund wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers, helping to ensure a robust, competitive workforce.

"TRAIN grants open doors for adult learners who need skills to become a valued part of the workforce," said Linda Clairmont, BCC Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education. "We applaud Governor Healey for recognizing the need for career-connected learning, and we look forward to being able to train more students to fill much-needed positions in Berkshire County."

CDL training at BCC consists of a total of 40 hours of classroom, field and on-the-road instruction. For more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/CDL.

Questions? Email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115.

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The First's Housing Resource Center Opens in Pittsfield

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Thursday, February 05, 2026

Tenants for the nine studio apartments will be moving in over the next few days.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The First's housing resource center opened its doors on Tuesday, drawing about a dozen people.

"I was hoping to do a soft open yesterday at The First. It became a little louder, which is fine," ServiceNet's Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

"But we are open Tuesday through Saturday for the next few weeks, and that is really due to just onboarding staff and training."

The housing resource center is funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church, and there are nine permanent supportive studios at the rear of the building. On its opening day on Tuesday, Forbush estimated between 10 and 12 people utilized the resource center. There were about 15 people waiting to come in on Wednesday morning.

A ribbon was cut on the facility on Dec. 18. The other component of the project is 28 units on West Housatonic Street, which are scheduled to be completed this month.

The First's opening was announced on Facebook by Mayor Peter Marchetti, writing that it wouldn't have been possible without the city's ARPA funds, committed in 2022, and all of the partners who stepped up.

"It is my hope that this is a model that we can successfully replicate to provide more support for individuals and families in need," he wrote.

Located at 74 First St., the resource center will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Available to community members are public restrooms and showers, a quiet room, warmth, and staff to connect them with resources. Laundry machines and lockers are upcoming.