Apply to BCC Culinary Arts Certificate Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications to its Culinary Arts certificate program, a seven-week apprenticeship program preparing students for careers in culinary arts.  

The Culinary Arts apprenticeship program combines instruction in the classroom and in the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen with professional work in the field. After seven weeks of foundational coursework, focusing on core culinary skills and knowledge, students will apply their knowledge and receive further practical training while already working professionally with BCC’s educational partners. 

"Graduating from the culinary program at BCC gave me the hands-on skills and confidence I needed to step straight into a professional kitchen. What made the program truly helpful was the practical, daily kitchen training and the one-on-one mentorship from Alexia, who taught us not just how to cook, but how to work efficiently under pressure," said graduate Owen Corbett. "The small class sizes meant I got real feedback on my knife skills, flavor pairings, and plating every single day. I also appreciated the local industry connections, which made it possible for me to balance my education with real-world work. I now feel fully prepared for my next steps in the culinary industry." 

Successful graduates, who earn the industry-recognized ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, will be job-ready for a wide range of food service employment opportunities, including school cafeterias, hospital kitchens, private households and restaurants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs and head cooks in Massachusetts earn a median hourly wage of $37.08 and an annual mean wage of $77,120. 

To apply to BCC, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/apply. For more information, email admissions@berkshirecc.edu.

 


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'Together for Our Warriors' Seeks to Bridge Gaps in Veteran Services

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For many veterans, finding resources can be a struggle because of fragmentation among veteran services. 

 

New nonprofit Together for Our Warriors Inc. is trying to streamline that search by creating a central source for information about the services available to them.

 

Veterans can find themselves struggling to navigate available services resulting in some deferring help or falling through the cracks of the system that provides a broad range of services that are stretched thin, said Director Kyle Kuffel. 

 

Veteran resources are available throughout the region, but information about those services is often fragmented among government agencies, nonprofits and other organizations that do not always communicate with one another, said Bernard Tremblay, the nonprofit's board and operations president.

 

The nonprofit was incorporated in March, and its 501(c)(3) status was officially approved on May 12, Kuffel said. 

 

They eventually hope to produce a printed resource guide that can be distributed at veteran events and resource fairs, Tremblay said. 

 

As the organization continues to expand, Kuffel said he hopes it can eventually hire its own Veteran Services Officer accredited by the state and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

 

The position would help veterans navigate and file claims while easing pressure on an already overburdened system, he said. 

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