Berkshire Climate Career Lab Opens Pathways to Climate Careers for Youth
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and in partnership with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and local organizations, Ethos Pathways launched the inaugural Berkshire Climate Career Lab this month.
The pilot convenes students from across Northern Berkshire County for a two-year paid fellowship combining climate and environmental education, leadership development, and career exploration.
The program kicked off with an introduction to climate challenges, leaders, and careers currently found in the Berkshires. Fellows traveled along Route 2 for a day of field work and explored the Hoosic River and local flood resilience efforts with Hoosic River Revival, examined environmental justice in North Adams, and stepped inside active construction projects to learn how major institutions are approaching sustainability and adoption of renewable energy.
At the new Greylock Elementary School, students toured the construction site and learned about the geothermal systems being incorporated into the building.
"It was a great experience to have the Greylock School team engage with young, aspiring professionals who share an interest in advancing climate-conscious energy solutions, especially when those solutions are being developed and implemented right here in our own community," North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey said.
Fellows also visited the construction site of the new Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), meeting professionals involved in projects that offered a window into careers ranging from architecture and engineering to construction and sustainability.
In addition, students learned how locally owned businesses, such as Berkshire East, are using renewable energy to invest in their operations as they toured their wind turbine and solar farm up close.
"One thing I will [always remember] is how dedicated each of the guest speakers were. It really opened my eyes on how I view [the environment in relation to] myself and things around me," Milan Kastner, student fellow from McCann Technical School said.
Over the next two years, fellows will continue to build upon this foundation and apply what they have learned through their own Youth Action Project funded by a participatory action microgrant. Families of students are also engaged throughout the fellowship and play an active role.
The Climate Career Lab is designed to expand access to career opportunities for young people from environmental justice and historically underserved communities, creating pathways into a growing climate economy while helping strengthen the region’s future workforce.
"Our goal isn’t simply to tell young people that climate careers exist," said Lani Willmar, Founder & CEO of Ethos Pathways. "We want them to see those careers in action and meet the people doing this work locally in the Berkshires. Most importantly, we want students to see themselves as part of the area’s future."
The inaugural fellows were selected from a competitive application process and represent Drury High School, McCann Technical School, Hoosac Valley High School, and Mount Greylock Regional School.
The inaugural 2026 Climate Career Lab fellows are:
- Julia Daly of Drury High School
- Jayden Evon of Drury High School
- Milan Nicole Kastner of McCann Technical School
- Ella Morgan of Drury High School
- Aiden Odvar of Hoosac Valley High School
- Genevieve Quinto of Drury High School
- Elizabeth Spelman of Mount Greylock Regional School
- Jack Tanner of McCann Technical School
- Rhaya Wright of Drury High School
