BCC to Offer AI Essentials Training Course

08:03AM / Friday, July 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) presents a hands-on, beginner-friendly AI course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 26 through Nov. 13.

Sessions will be held from 5:45-8:45 p.m. To apply for the course, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/ai and complete a workforce trainings application form.

The course is designed for adults looking to develop career-ready skills by effectively integrating AI into learning and work. Participants will explore the evolving world of artificial intelligence in an accessible and practical way, gaining a strong foundation in AI concepts while focusing on safe and responsible AI usage.

Throughout the course, students will get direct experience with cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT and low- or no-code platforms facilitated with Docker Desktop. Key topics include prompt engineering, understanding AI models, and leveraging AI for coding, research, and automation. Students will also work with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and agentic AI, explore AI-powered workflows, and dive into machine learning fundamentals — all while maintaining a strong focus on ethical AI use and its limitations.

Completing the AI Essentials course opens doors to a wide range of job opportunities for people just starting out, switching careers, or boosting their current role in areas of employment including:

AI Solutions Engineer
Data Labeler/Annotator
QA/AI Tester
Prompt Engineering (Junior level)
Hybrid Roles (with AI + existing experience), including Admin or Ops Assistant (with AI tools) and Marketing or Communications Support (AI-Generated content)

For more information, email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115.

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Hinsdale Considers Switching Dispatch Centers Amid Response Time Concerns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Monday, August 24, 2026

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has experienced longer emergency response times since the Dalton Police Department suspended its mutual aid agreement with Hinsdale. Now, Hinsdale is considering suspending its use of Dalton's Communication Center.

During the Hinsdale Select Board meeting on Aug. 12, board member Margaret Gregory raised concerns about the department's response times, recounting an incident the previous Sunday when she called police at about 9:51 p.m. but did not see a state trooper arrive until approximately 10:45 p.m.

"We're here to protect the town and make sure we're getting the aid that we need. That did not happen," she said in a follow-up with the media.

Now word has gotten to Dalton that Hinsdale's department has requested to withdraw from the Dalton Communication Center and use the Berkshire Regional Emergency Communications Center instead.

Dalton Town Manager Eric Anderson informed Dalton's Select Board that he heard indirectly from the state's communications center of Hinsdale's request and that there will be a meeting with the E911 system and all parties sometime later in September.

In order for Hinsdale to switch to the state call center, the town would have to obtain funding to ensure the town's equipment works with the state's.

During Hinsdale's August meeting, Gregory told Peru Police Chief Bruce Cullett that she is concerned with how Dalton's dispatch is relaying information to the state, citing that calls from multiple people about shots fired shouldn't be an hour wait.

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