The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board will be utilizing a state grant of $235,000 for free health care training programs to support a sector that was particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The programs include certified nursing assistant (CNA) refresher courses for Red Cross training, the continuation of a blended online CNA program, North County CNA courses, and Berkshire Health Systems medical assistant training. The Berkshire Healthcare Hub grant will be spent on the development and management of the new programs for the next two years.
"A lot is happening in health care and Berkshire Healthcare Systems. We can't say enough about their partnerships and McCann and Berkshire Community College, stepping up to the plate, pulling things together," Executive Director Heather Boulger said at a recent virtual board of director's meeting, according to iBerkshires.com. "Last year was very chaotic, it continues to be very chaotic, and we're just really pleased that we're able to move these partnerships forward."
The training aims to equip and provide opportunities for people who are underemployed or unemployed, iBerkshires.com reported.
A Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success Grant from the FY20 Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund through the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development is funding the project.
The Hub is a collective effort among Berkshire County employers, educators, professionals, social service agencies and career development agencies, according to iBerkshires.com.
