The Inside Berks Business (iBb) program, coordinated by the Berks Business Education Coalition (BBEC) and the BCIU, brings educators into the workplace each summer to experience firsthand the range of businesses in Berks County and the career and employment opportunities available. This year’s program ran from August 6–8, 2024. Educators were able to choose one of five career pathways and were placed at three different businesses within that pathway, one business each of the three days. After the conclusion of the three-day program, participants were required to submit a slideshow showcasing their experiences and were encouraged to share it with their district colleagues.
Fortified with the knowledge gained from this immersive experience, educators will be able to enhance their career education instruction and counseling efforts, aligning classroom teaching with the needs of employers.
The iBb program has been in existence for more than 20 years. For participating businesses and organizations, the time commitment is minimal, and there is no fee to take part in the program.
Participating educators in the iBb Program:
• Gain an inside look at a Berks County business or organization.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the local employment landscape.
• Gain insights into current business practices.
• Get exposure to modern workplace technologies.
• Increase awareness of the importance of career preparation.
• Acquire relevant, first-hand experiences to enrich their instruction.
In 2024, 21 educators from the BCIU and eight school districts, including Boyertown Area, Kutztown Area, Oley Valley, Reading, Twin Valley Wilson, and Wyomissing Area, participated in the program.
This year’s program featured visits to 18 local businesses and organizations, as well as several small businesses. The participating businesses included: Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute, Animal Rescue League of Berks County (Berks ARL), Berks Community Television (BCTV), Berks Counseling Center, Berks County Agriculture Center, Berks Fire Water Restoration, County of Berks Services Center, DoubleTree by Hilton, Gage Personnel, GoggleWorks, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), Mail Shark, Moyer Auto Group, Reading Science Center, Tompkins VIST, Tower Health, Reading Hospital, UGI, and Y102.
For more information about the iBb Program, please visit: www.berksiu.org/page/inside-berks-business