The Berks Business Education Coalition (BBEC), in partnership with the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), hosted the 2026 inside Berks business (iBb) program on August 4-6, 2026. The three-day experience provided educators with an opportunity to explore the diverse business landscape of Berks County through site visits and hands-on learning experiences at local organizations.
Designed to strengthen connections between education and workforce development, the iBb program equips educators with current, real-world knowledge they can bring back to their classrooms and counseling programs. Through direct interactions with employers and industry professionals, participants gained valuable insight into local career pathways, workforce needs, and emerging workplace technologies.
As a result of their experiences, educators were able to:
• Gain an inside look at Berks County businesses and organizations.
• Better understand the region's employment landscape and workforce needs.
• Learn about current business practices and industry trends.
• Explore modern workplace technologies.
• Increase awareness of the importance of career readiness initiatives.
• Incorporate real-world workplace experiences into instruction and student guidance.
This year, 18 educators representing nine schools participated in the program:
• Antietam School District
• Berks Catholic
• Boyertown Area School District
• Brandywine Heights Area School District
• Commonwealth Charter Academy
• Oley Valley School District
• Reading School District
• Twin Valley School District
• Wilson School District
Participants visited 13 local businesses and organizations spanning three career pathways, providing broad exposure to industries that play an important role in Berks County's economy. Participating organizations included:
• Alcon
• Animal Rescue League of Berks County
• Berks County Agriculture Center
• BCTV
• Berks Nature
• FXV Digital Design
• Helping Harvest
• Hoffman Publishing
• MADJ Marketing
• Reading Area Firefighters Museum
• Spring Township Fire Company
• Tower Health - Reading Hospital
• WFMZ
The continued success of the inside Berks business program is made possible through the collaboration of local employers. By opening their doors to educators, businesses help strengthen career education and workforce awareness across Berks County, helping to ensure students are better prepared for future opportunities in our local area.