On March 6, 2025, the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) hosted the Berks STEM Connection Ecosystem Panel event at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., brought together educators and Berks County business representatives to discuss the skills and qualities local industries seek in their future workforce.
The panel featured a diverse group of business representatives who shared insights on workforce skills including soft skills, mathematical proficiency, communication abilities, and other critical competencies. Educators had the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of what attributes local employers need and value in high school graduates entering the workforce.
The audience consisted of STEM educators, internship coordinators, local business representatives within STEM pathways, high school principals, technology education & engineering teachers, and transition coordinators.
This panel event is part of the Global STEM Ecosystems Initiative, a worldwide movement that connects education, business, government, and community organizations to create robust STEM learning opportunities, preparing students to become future-ready learners while supporting local workforce development. “Berks STEM Connection Ecosystem,” Berks County’s branch, collaborates with K-12 through the Career Ready Berks initiative, connecting educators and students with local businesses and organizations to foster innovative STEM initiatives and prepare students for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
For more information, please visit https://sites.google.com/berksiu.org/berks-stem/home or contact Jillian Darlington, Assistant Program Administrator, Office of Professional Learning, at jildar@berksiu.org.