Release from SENEDIA
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Five Graduate from Pilot Partnership Between SENEDIA and Nashua Community College
MIDDLETOWN, RI – The New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership, powered by SENEDIA, announced today the completion of a pilot Machinist Pipeline Program run in partnership with Nashua Community College. Five New Hampshire residents graduated from the program and were offered jobs with area companies.
Granite State Manufacturing in Nashua and Manchester, Mercury Systems in Hudson, Spraying Systems in Merrimack, and Sweeney Metals in Nashua each made offers to the newly trained graduates.
“Congratulations to the five New Hampshire graduates of the pilot Machinist Pipeline Program. This program will strengthen our state’s role in the defense shipbuilding sector, and I’m excited to see the future opportunities it will create for our communities,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. “I want to thank SENEDIA and the hardworking team at Nashua Community College for developing this talent pipeline and creating world-class opportunities for New Hampshire families. I look forward to seeing the expansion of these critical training programs and will continue to fight for the defense workforce funding needed to grow talent right here in New Hampshire.”
“The Defense Cluster represents $12.5 billion in annual economic output in New Hampshire, and more than $119 billion across the New England region. To sustain the strength of the industry and further grow businesses locally and regionally, we need a robust talent pipeline to meet the needs of tomorrow,” said Molly Donohue Magee, SENEDIA executive director. “Programs like this are a win-win, for the participants pursuing new career pathways and for the businesses in need of a skilled workforce.”
The Machinist Pipeline Program is a 10-week, hands-on training program to prepare participants for entry-level CNC and machinist positions. They received stipends and other financial support during the training thanks to MY TURN, an organization funded through New Hampshire Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding that serves economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged communities and connects them with workforce recruitment, education, preparation, and placement services.
A typical training day would begin with lectures and coursework at Nashua Community College, followed by shop floor training using CNC machines and related software.
“The men and women who serve within the defense industrial base are the future of our nation and will define where we go in the next decade, generation, and century,” said Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, program executive officer, Strategic Submarines on the importance of building America’s submarine fleet in an environment of increasing global threat. “The most important thing we need right now is to re-establish and continue to grow manufacturing; I’m glad we are making that a priority through talent pipeline programs.”
The five graduates from this initial pilot cohort developed meaningful skills and technical competencies to begin rewarding and good-paying careers, as well as soft skills and professional connections to serve them throughout their careers.
Jose Arana was one of the five program graduates. He has accepted a position as machinist trainee at Spraying Systems Co. in Merrimack, NH.
“I was looking for a stable and good-paying career with a company doing meaningful work, and I’ve found that thanks to the Machinist Pipeline Program,” said Arana. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I encourage anyone joining the workforce or considering a change to learn more about training and support available to start your career in defense.”
Ronny Soria, another graduate of the program indicated, “I was bouncing from job to job. No path or career in sight. I heard about a ten-week program in manufacturing and signed up. This is the best decision I have made. I learned a valued skill in machining. I also learned soft skills such as time management, how to interview and what makes a good employee. I feel I am very well prepared to start my manufacturing career.”
Soria has accepted an offer with Sweeney Metals in Nashua, NH.
The next cohort of the Machinist Pipeline Program is slated to begin in October.
“We care deeply about the success of our students at NCC, so we jump at every available opportunity to partner with industry leaders and companies looking to hire. After 10 weeks of rigorous training and education, aligned to the needs of employers, we now have five lifelong learners who are starting exciting new careers,” said Mark Dodge, the Precision Manufacturing professor at Nashua Community College. “With the support of our dedicated faculty, this pilot shows what is possible when we collaborate and innovate across academia and industry, and we’re eager to welcome the next cohort of students to our campus.”
“This program is excellent for not only the students but industry partners as well. We are taking people off the street and giving them a start to a career in manufacturing. They are walking away with the basic knowledge they need and numerous job opportunities. It is amazing to watch a student when the light goes on and he grasps the concept of the work. The staff and especially the Manufacturing staff got behind this program 110 percent and it shows in the five graduates,” said Jon Mason, the director of workforce development at Nashua Community College.
To learn more about SENEDIA and its submarine shipbuilding workforce development programming, visit Submarine.SENEDIA.org
