BCC Awarded Technical Assistance Grant

10:30AM / Monday, November 25, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) awarded Berkshire Community College (BCC) a $12,550 technical assistance grant to explore developing HVAC apprenticeships.

EOLWD announced $3.2 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) to 29 organizations to train and place 514 apprentices across the state. The grants, which include contract renewals and new awards, leverage more than $2 million in state funding complemented by remaining support from federal funds to train apprentices in high growth industries like health care, manufacturing, clean energy, early childhood education, and more.

"Registered Apprenticeship is a proven program that provides jobseekers with hands-on training and skills that lead to a long-lasting, family sustaining careers" said Governor Maura Healey. "Our administration is proud to have made historic investments in Registered Apprenticeship, expanding the program to more industries and making it more accessible to populations that have been underrepresented in the workforce."

Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones made the announcement at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute in Boston.

Registered Apprenticeship provides individuals with paid work experience, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training combined with securing nationally recognized credentials, progressive wage increases, and economic mobility.

EOLWD's Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) is responsible for promoting, developing, and servicing registered apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts. DAS maintains more than 900 apprenticeship programs with over 11,000 apprentices currently working with the vast majority in construction but a growing number of apprentices in expansion industries such as manufacturing, life sciences, and health care.

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires
05:29PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue.

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry.

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer.

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday.

The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings.

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote.

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Attempted murder
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

Attempted murder
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday.

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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