The University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMass Donahue Institute

Media Coverage

Berkshire Eagle: Workforce training bogs manufacturing growth in Berkshires

The Berkshire Eagle covered the release and discussion of a report completed by the UMass Donahue Institute’s Economic and Public Policy Research group that looked at the history of manufacturing in the Berkshires, the industry sector's current state there, and recommendations to facilitate a manufacturing future for the county.

The report highlighted the challenge of providing a highly-skilled local workforce to expand the region’s manufacturing sector. Daniel Hodge, the director of Economic and Public Policy Research at the Donahue Institute presented the findings to an audience of politicians and business people, explaining “There are some [workforce training] programs out there, but when you talk to individual companies, they talk about having the challenge of finding the right set of workers, the right set of job ready skills and technical training."

After decades of decline in the region’s manufacturing sector, Hodge believes in potential for turn around. "I think the Berkshires after a pretty long period of having some larger company shutdowns and a trend line that's not very favorable is at a position where they can look to both stabilize and expand," he said.

Read article: Report: Workforce training bogs manufacturing growth in Berkshires

Go Back

Contracting with Us

The UMass Donahue Institute is pre-approved to offer a variety of options for streamlined, simplified contracting both within Massachusetts and at the federal level.

Learn More
GSA Logo CommBuys Logo Commonwealth of Massachusetts Logo

UMass Donahue Institute

University of Massachusetts Amherst

100 Venture Way, Suite 9

Hadley, Massachusetts 01035

(413) 545-0001

Contact us by email.

Related Links

Receive our Newsletter


Connect with Us