It's Your Life...Are You Ready?

  If you haven't decided what career may be right for you, click above...

Click above to view The Official Massachusetts Healthcare Career Resource Site of The Massachusetts Hospital Association

Youth Update, Spring 2007  is produced by Commonwealth Corporation

Local Youth Friendly Employers

Local Job Listings and additional Employer Links 

Other Job Search sites: BerkshireCareers , BerkshireJobs , CareerBuilder, Career Jet, Craigslist, DataFrenzy, Dice, EarnPartTime, Groovejob.com,  Indeed.com, Job Central, Jobs Connect , JobQuest , Monster, snagajob , and WorkforAmerica.com

On January 3, 2007, significant amendments were made to the Massachusetts Child Labor Laws, M.G.L. c. 149, §§53-105.  These amendments were effective immediately.  The amendments affect minors’ working hours, provide for certain additional required supervision, streamline the work permit process, strengthen existing criminal penalties and also allow for civil penalties in the event of violations. 

As a result of this legislation, there is now a single application and permit process for all teen workers ages 14-17.  All teens under 18 years of age must complete a work permit application and obtain a work permit before starting a new job.  A complete summary of the Massachusetts laws regulating child labor, including the recent changes, Click here.

You may obtain an application for a work permit by clicking here

Youth Rules, employment guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor

Welcome to Youth@Work, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) website for youth in the workforce. The EEOC's goal is to eliminate illegal discrimination from the workplace for all workers.

Need help writing a resume, click above.

Want to have fun and explore careers,  click on Career Games for Teens

 Please contact a youth counselor for upcoming training dates for the programs above,

phone (413) 499-2220 ext. 133 or 131 or contact us by e-mail.

BerkshireWorks Youth Resource Center offers youth ages 14-21 a wide range of services and resources, including career exploration and development workshops, self-sufficiency skills and access to various grant funded programs, some with eligibility requirements. Services may include:

Job Fairs and Local Job Listings


Summer and Year Round Employment Opportunities
• Full or Part Time Employment
• Paid and Unpaid Internships, Work Experiences, or Volunteering
• Summer Employment

Employment and Career Development Counseling
• Aptitude and Interest Surveys and Assessments
• Guidance in choosing the right career that suits applicant's interest and aptitude
• Education and Vocational Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Employment Counseling
• Service Navigation

General Educational Development (GED)
• Assistance in completing a high school equivalency requirement
• Stech-Vaughn computer-based, self-paced instructional program for pre-GED and GED learners
• Skills Bank computer-based program
• Textbooks and workbooks
• Paid Testing Fees

Access to Training

• Customized training programs designed to prepare youth for specific careers
• Occupational skills training
• On-the-job-training
• Computer Literacy

Resource Room
• Internet access and electronic job banks
• Newspapers, books and resource materials, postage
• Computers and printers, telephones, fax machines, copiers
• Employment and Career Development Videos, including effective job searching, networking and interviewing

If you need additional adult basic education services, contact the Adult Learning Center, the Northern Berkshire Adult Basic Education Program or the Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline.

Labor Market Information

The High School Graduation Rate Challenge in Massachusetts

Education Pays, your education and skills are worth money

Thinking about college or occupational training? Apply for a "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) and look into other financial aid programs that can help finance your education or an occupational training program.


Are you over the age of 18 and need information concerning the Selective Service System?