BCC to Offer Fiber Optic Bootcamp

07:46AM / Thursday, June 25, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will offer a five-day fiber optic bootcamp the week of July 27-31 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at BCC's main campus, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield.

The course, designed for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician, combines theory and hands-on activities. It is intended to prepare students to take the Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT), Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Testing & Maintenance (CFOS/T), and Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing (CFOS/S) exams sanctioned by the Fiber Optics Association (FOA). Participants will learn how to identify fiber types; recognize various connectors used in fiber installation; and install, terminate, splice, troubleshoot and properly test installed fiber cable to meet industry standards. The program also explores the history and future of fiber optics.

Demand for fiber optics professionals is growing, and the job market in 2026 is exceptionally strong. The Berkshires area is no exception, with the market driven by a shortage of skilled technicians and federal broadband investments.

To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/fiber-optic.

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Berkshire Museum Explores Ancient Egypt With ‘Soulful Creatures’

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:33AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following its multimillion-dollar renovation, the Berkshire Museum is welcoming an exhibition unlike any it has been able to host before.

Marking the museum's first major exhibition since its renovation, "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt," opening Saturday, Oct. 10, thins the veil between the ever-evolving history of Egyptian culture and society and modern day people.

"The most important thing about history is recognizing people from the past as actual people. Ancient Egyptians are no different than us," said William Dore, the museum's chief curator. "They have different cultures and beliefs and different viewpoints, but you can say the same thing about people today."

When audiences experience the exhibit, they will see the humanity in the people of the past, which in turn helps them connect with different views and perspectives around the world today, he said.

Combining archeology with modern scientific imaging, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Museum curators Yekaterina Barbash and Edward Bleiberg designed an exhibit that works to uncover the mysteries behind these objects and the beliefs and rituals that surround them.

"I think something that people kind of misunderstand about history is none of it's ever settled. ... History is a science that is constantly questioned,” Dore said. "It only works if everyone's constantly rethinking things, learning new things ... which is for me super exciting because as much as we know a lot about the ancient Egyptians, there's a lot we don't know.”

The installation features dozens of artifacts on loan from the Brooklyn Museum that explores the practice of animal mummification and the role animals played in ancient Egyptian religion.

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