By Ben Sosne
Image by Stephanie Zollshan
A group of students explores the possibilities of items that can be made with the variety of 3D printers at the Berkshire Innovation Center during a recent tour of the facility. Young people are currently participating in the BETA experiential learning program which is taking place at the BIC this summer.
This summer, in collaboration with MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, the BIC launched a new original podcast series called “Innovation Lives Here.” In a region internationally renowned as a destination for its natural beauty and cultural attractions, the phrase “Innovation Lives Here” is a broad acknowledgement that technology and innovation are also part of the Berkshire’s industrial past, present, and future.
Hosted by PJ Moynihan, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and Executive Producer of BIC Studios, the podcast delves into the human side of stories that underpin the Berkshire’s innovation economy, and explores topics and trends that are relevant to employer and job seekers. The first installment of the podcast, entitled “The Changing Workforce,” is a six-episode limited series investigating the evolving landscape of the job market through the stories of firms and workers that make up the fabric of Berkshire County’s technology-focused sectors. As PJ observes,
“from AI and the breakneck pace of technological advancement to the churn in labor markets and the rise of emerging industries, the waters are choppy and challenging to navigate for both employers and job seekers.”
I had the pleasure of joining as a guest on the first episode, along with Brenda Burdick from General Dynamics Mission Systems and James Kupernick from VidMob. Getting an inside perspective from industry partners like General Dynamics Mission Systems and VidMob is always fascinating, and we dove into several topics that were particularly interesting — from post-covid management practices to the ways in which their firms look for and evaluate talent. What I enjoyed most, however, were the narratives from James and Brenda describing their personal journeys that led them to their current roles. Like me, both James and Brenda were born and raised in Berkshire County and all three of us noted that when we graduated from area high schools, we figured we would have to head to a bigger city — Boston, New York, Providence, Washington DC, etc. — for career opportunities. For each of us, one opportunity led to another, and though the path was not always linear, we all ultimately found rewarding and challenging positions right here at home.
I told a story that I often share with those who visit the Innovation Center. When I was growing up here, my parents and teachers took me to all our amazing cultural and outdoor attractions — Tanglewood, Hancock Shaker Village, the Clark, Bish Bash Falls, Mt. Greylock, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow, the list goes on. People from around the world come to the Berkshires to enjoy these attractions and early on it was ingrained in me just how lucky I was to have these places and more right in my backyard. Indeed, though I left the Berkshires for college, I always dreamed of returning and raising my own family in this special place.
What I didn’t know as a kid growing up, and what I didn’t come to fully understand until I started my job at the BIC, was the rich history of innovation in the Berkshires and just how many amazing firms are thriving here today. When I started in my position as Executive Director, the first thing I did was embark on a whirlwind tour of our advanced manufacturers and other tech-focused businesses. I toured long-established employers like General Dynamics Mission Systems, Boyd Biomedical, Lenco Armored Vehicles, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Interprint, Sabic, and Spectrum Plastics, and met with young and growing companies like Electro Magnetic Applications, VidMob, SolaBlock, United Aircraft Technologies, and IdleSmart.
To say that I was blown away is an understatement. For someone new to advanced manufacturing and hi-tech engineering, seeing firsthand how sophisticated products for medical, military, and clean energy applications were being made was fascinating. More importantly, however, seeing all this amazing technology right here in the Berkshires changed my entire understanding of my hometown. The Berkshires is indeed a world-class cultural destination and a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, but it is also a place where innovation lives and innovation is thriving.
This is a message that we reiterate every day at the BIC and a message that is at the heart of the podcast. It is also a message that underlies our cornerstone programming at the BIC, including our BETA program.
BETA, which is in high-gear right now, is an intensive five-week experiential learning program designed to connect high school students with local businesses, work with them to explore idea development and business strategies, and give them the opportunity to engage with the technologies offered at the BIC and our member companies. The program seeks to build new pathways to technical careers in the region, offering a solution that is based around driving awareness and building a more diverse workforce.
My favorite aspect of the program is the visits to local industry partners. Just like I did when I started at the BIC, the BETA students go door to door touring the most innovative companies in the region. The reactions are very much like mine — students are blown away both by the amazing technology that they see and by the fact that these cutting-edge firms are operating right in their own backyard.
BETA alums from previous years have obviously gotten the “innovation lives here” message, as I see more and more of them interning with regional firms or even landing full-time positions. This is always a thrill, and it inspires the BIC team as we work with this year’s BETA cohort.
This year’s BETA cohort features 19 students from 11 regional high schools, all of whom applied and were selected by our review committee. They include: Dominic Campoli, John Cook, Tucker Danylin, Justin Rodriguez, and Jace Ziarnik from BART Charter; Rose Briggs from the Darrow School; David Scholz from Hoosac Valley; Aiden Smith from Lee High; Shaffer Kropke, Cormac Mathews and Eleanor Kropke from Lenox Memorial; Sophie Gentlemen and Bianca Kerr from Miss Hall’s; Lana Kellar from Monument Mountain; Silas Sims from Mt. Greylock; Jackson Jezewski from Pittsfield High; Henry Benson and Tucker Thomas from Taconic; and Ryan Beaulieu from Wahconah.
It’s been a pleasure working with these future leaders and thank you if you or your firm hosted them for a visit, and to the sponsors and mentors who have made this experience so special. In the Berkshires, we need to reach downstream and convey a strong message to the talented young people who already know about the quality of life that our region has to offer, and let them know that Innovation Lives Here, too.