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Berkshire Hills highlights 50+ internship placements and new CTE equipment for automotive program
Summary
District staff reported over 50 student internships this fall and described partnerships across business, hospitality, health and trades; the automotive program received new alignment and shop equipment via a capital skills grant but faces space limits in the current shop.
District staff presented a progress report on student internships and career-technical education at the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, saying the program now places more than 50 interns this fall across business and hospitality, automotive, construction/trades, education and medical/wellness partners.
"We have over 50 interns this fall," said Heather Buco, internship teacher of record, who showed student portfolios compiled since the pandemic and described plans for a junior internship expo in January to showcase student work and employer partners. The portfolios serve as evidence of workplace learning and help students present skills to future employers.
The committee heard that many internship placements have led to paid work and continued employer relationships: examples named included Subaru/Toyota dealer partners, GB Eats (restaurant), Fairview Hospital, Gateway Physical Therapy, Meadow Farm and repeated placements at local businesses. Buco said the internship program meets weekly and partners with Marcy Velasco and the Berkshire Workforce Board to manage placements and state reporting.
The meeting also covered the secondary automotive program. "We have a clear pathway," said Chris, the program instructor, describing the progression from Introduction to Auto Mechanics through MLR1 and MLR2 to a cooperative education experience. He reported roughly 12–15 students per section—about 60 students across sections—and said the program obtained an alignment machine, wheel balancer and carrier-changing machine through a capital skills grant.
Chris noted limitations in the current shop: ceiling height prevents full vehicle lifts and the program is currently "grandfathered" under Chapter 74 standards because it does not meet all space requirements. He and other presenters said the equipment was purchased after a competitive procurement process and is intended to be moved into a new school building when that project is complete.
Committee members praised the employer partnerships and said the internships and CTE pathways address regional technician shortages and create direct workforce pipelines for students.
What happens next: staff plan an internship expo in January and will continue to expand employer partnerships and report on outcomes to the committee.
