Job Opportunities Abound in Southern Berkshire Employers in Southern Berkshire are pleased to announce that their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in the development of the first Southern Berkshire Job Fair. In order to fill vacant positions, employers from this southern most corner of Berkshire County, Massachusetts are accustomed to traveling north into Pittsfield, MA, west into Columbia and Greene County in New York, and south into Litchfield County, Connecticut. Never before has a Job Fair been held in Southern Berkshire. Plans for the Job Fair actually began last summer when Jeanne Dean, from Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Cindy Bucier, from Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, met at a job fair in Northern Berkshire. Both employers were disappointed with recruitment results from recent fairs. Both employers were willing to pursue the idea of a job fair in Southern Berkshire. The Southern Berkshire Job Fair Committee was formed. The committee conducted a survey of other south county employers. Results of the survey were encouraging. There was strong interest from the employers for an opportunity to come together to promote the community. In recent years, Southern Berkshire has had more positions available than the local labor force is able to fill. It is vital to the success of our community that we attract individuals from other communities. Jeanne Dean notes that she sees applicants at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center from Springfield, Massachusetts, Hartford, Connecticut, and even as far as Florida. It’s time for Southern Berkshire to promote all the wonderful things about our community; small towns with an enormous variety of cultural and outdoor activities, great school systems, and the security of living in a community where we still know our neighbors. The first annual Southern Berkshire Job Fair will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2002 from 1:30pm to 6:30pm. The “later than usual” hours for the Fair have been chosen to allow those already employed or those traveling from other areas time to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The Fair is free, open to the public and will be held at the Claire W. Teague Senior Center at 909 Main Street (Route 7) in Great Barrington. The convenient location offers plenty of parking. The Fair is being promoted to high schools and colleges in the tri-state area. In addition, an advertising campaign is underway including extensive “door to door” contact with the community businesses and organizations. The Job Fair Committee’s goal is not only to fill open positions, but also provide an opportunity to network and enhance public relations within our community and with those who may be considering a move to South County. Visitors to the Fair will find that there are big city career opportunities right here is the Berkshires. Graphic design, multi-media, and high tech companies will be available to promote their businesses. Banking, recreation, nursing, retail, manufacturing, hospitality and more will be represented and offering information on positions ranging from entry level to management and professional. In addition, Millie Blum, a Human Resource Consultant from People First will offer free interview coaching and resume writing tips to interested job seekers. Job seekers interested in additional information, including directions to the Job Fair may contact Jeanne Dean at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 413-528-3320, Cindy Bucier at Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, 413-663-5391, or John Keegan at Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, 413-528-4737.

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