Berkshire Virtual Career Week to be held April 26-30
BERKSHIRE COUNTY — During the week of April 26–April 30, careers in the Berkshires will be showcased through the 2021 Berkshire Virtual Career Week. This event aims to engage high school students, mainly in grades 10-12, in career awareness and exploration through a blend of live Zoom sessions with local professionals and scheduled broadcasts on Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV). However, this opportunity is available for viewing by residents of all ages who are interested in learning more about the current labor market in the Berkshires. Via PCTV, portions of the live sessions will be broadcast, and career-related content will air when there is not a live Zoom meeting. All videos will be available after the week-long event in PCTV’s online educational library.
This is a chance to dive deep into the many interesting career pathways in the Berkshires. A unique feature of this event is a Virtual Job Fair hosted by the MassHire Berkshire Career Center on Tuesday, April 27 from 12-4 p.m. Adults and youth ages 14–21 seeking jobs are encouraged to attend and connect with local companies who are hiring. To register for the job fair, click here.
Schedule April 26–30: Every day from 8:30–10 a.m. there will be live career-focused Zoom sessions for students with local employers/professionals.
Some days, at 11 a.m. and later, there will be live work-readiness skill-building workshops.
Monday 4/26: STEM
Tuesday 4/27: Healthcare and Human Services
Wednesday 4/28: Hospitality and Tourism; Communications
Thursday 4/29: Building Trades and Advanced Manufacturing
Friday 4/30: Education and Public Service
View the full listing of live Zoom workshops. Additional career-related content to air on PCTV includes: Teaching, pediatric nursing, printing, realty, and farming.
A full schedule with all programming will be available prior to April 26 at the Masshire website.
—A.K.
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Greylock Federal Credit Union joins Pacesetters program
PITTSFIELD — The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR), and Greylock Federal Credit Union recently announced Greylock as a signatory in the Chamber’s Pacesetters program. Pacesetters, a program in the Chamber’s Economic Opportunity portfolio, uses procurement as an equity tool to advance systemic and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth by focusing on access to contracts for Massachusetts-based minority-owned enterprises.
By increasing spending with businesses of color across the state, Pacesetter companies and anchor institutions use their procurement purchasing power to collectively close the racial wealth gap. A strategic partner in the work to create systemic opportunity, MBR joined Pacesetters during the program’s statewide expansion in Fall 2020. Through their MBR membership, Greylock Federal Credit Union joined Pacesetters to use their procurement power to partner with minority business enterprises in their local region and across the state.
By joining the Pacesetters program, Greylock commits to increasing spending with local and state businesses of color year over year for five years. “This initiative falls squarely within our long-term commitment to what Greylock calls IDEA: inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility,” said Greylock CEO and President John L. Bissell. “Improving the inclusiveness of our purchasing practices is one of many ways we can help close the racial wealth gap and promote real change in the way our economy distributes resources and power.”
The Pacesetters program is supported by Presenting Sponsors Eastern Bank and John Hancock. Other participating Pacesetters include Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Red Sox, Burns & Levinson LLP, Citizens Bank, Comcast, DentaQuest, Emerson College, Encore Boston Harbor, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Fidelity, Gilbane, IPG DXTRA brands including Weber Shandwick and Jack Morton, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Mass General Brigham, National Grid, Northeastern University, Nutter McClennen & Fish, P&G Gillette, State Street Corp., Tufts Health Plan, University of Massachusetts, Verizon, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Pacesetter signatories include Greylock Federal Credit Union, MassDevelopment, and McKinsey & Co. (Boston office).
—A.K.
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Berkshire Community College hires, promotes staff
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the hiring and promotion of staff to the College.
Damien Boutillon has joined BCC’s TRIO (Talent, Resources, Initiative, Opportunity) Student Support Services Program as an academic advisor. Previously, he was a strategic planning associate at Williams College and a research fellow at Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching. Boutillon received a master’s degree and a PhD in social anthropology from Durham University, England, a master’s degree in linguistic anthropology from the School of Advanced Social Studies, Paris, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Cambridge University, England.
Ashley Carter has joined the Office of Student Affairs as an academic success coach. Previously, she was a retention specialist at a Contra Costa Community College in San Pablo, California. Carter holds a master’s degree in education administration and leadership and a bachelor of arts degree in international relations, both from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Julie Hannum has returned to BCC as STEM Starter Academy program coordinator after recently retiring with 25 years of service. Most recently, she was BCC’s director of continuing education and South County Programs and had previously served as director of off-campus sites and director coordinator of Career and Technical Education Partnerships. A co-founder of the Berkshire STEM Career Fair, Hannum received a master’s degree in science education from MCLA and a bachelor’s degree in general science/chemistry from Westfield State College.
Kelsey Jones has joined the Office of Student Engagement as an academic success coach. Previously, she was a community and civic engagement intern at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. She recently earned a master’s degree in higher education student affairs administration from Nazareth College and holds a bachelor of arts in history and political science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Richard Kovarovic has joined the Jonathan Edwards Library as a library assistant III, with responsibilities in technical services and interlibrary loans. Previously, he worked for several years as a cataloging specialist at Croton Free Library in Westchester County, New York, where he was most recently the temporary reference and circulation supervisor. Kovarovic holds a master’s degree in English literature and a bachelor of arts degree in English, both from Mercy College. He is currently pursuing a Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
Julie Krzanik has joined the Administration & Finance Department as assistant to the vice president of administration and finance/divisional support manager. Previously, she was a registrar at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield. She received a bachelor of science degree in business administration and economics from MCLA and an associate’s degree in environmental science from BCC.
Matthew Martin has joined BCC’s Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) as coordinator of learning experience design, a position shared between BCC and Greenfield Community College. Since 2019, he had been an academic support coordinator at Buxton School and was an online social studies instructor with Virtual Virginia for more than 10 years. Martin earned a master’s degree of arts in education from The College of William and Mary and a bachelor of arts degree in history from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Abby Powers has joined the Office of Student Engagement as an administrative assistant. Previously, she was a member services coordinator at 1Berkshire. Powers received a master of business administration degree from MCLA and a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication from Westfield State College.
Deborah Thayer has been promoted to database administrator for the Information Technology Department. Previously, she was a database analyst/programmer. Thayer received a bachelor of science degree in computer science from MCLA and an associate’s degree in computer information systems from BCC.
Taylor Woodward has joined the Office of Advancement as an administrative assistant. Previously, he was a development associate at Kaufman Music Center in New York City. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Elon University in North Carolina.
—A.K.
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Salisbury Bank and Trust announces employee awards
LAKEVILLE, Ct. — Salisbury Bank and Trust held a virtual awards ceremony on March 31. The Bank’s employees voted Aidan Gilligan “Employee of the Year” for 2020. Gilligan was instrumental in leading the Bank’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) initiative during the pandemic, helping the Bank and its customers during a difficult time. Since joining the Bank in February of 2018, Gilligan has excelled at every position and task assigned to him. He began his career working in the Commercial Credit Department and was promoted to commercial lending officer, covering the Bank’s Massachusetts market, in July of 2019, then promoted to vice president this past January.
The “Rookie of the Year” award went to Machayla Karcheski. This award recognizes an employee who has stepped up during their first year. Karcheski assumed a leadership role within the PPP initiative and her involvement has been vital to the success of the program. She joined the Bank in November 2019 as an executive assistant.
Doug Cahill and Kimberly Downey were recognized for volunteering on behalf of the Bank throughout the year, and both received the “Volunteer of the Year” award. Cahill joined the Bank as director of human resources in August of 2005. He was promoted to vice president, director of human resources in May of 2014. Downey joined the Bank in February of 2005 in a retail capacity and then transferred to the Trust and Wealth Advisory Division.
The “President’s Award” was given to the frontline employees of the Bank. Together, this group of individuals stepped up and became the backbone of Salisbury Bank’s success during a time when teamwork was essential. It has been inspiring to see the staff at the Bank’s branches, and all those who came to work ready to face the challenges of this pandemic, set aside their fears to serve the needs of customers.
—A.K.
