NCC Enhances Manufacturing Training & Career Prep

One of the hallmarks of Northampton Community College (NCC)’s success is meeting community workforce needs through innovative, accessible training programs that prepare students to enter well-paying, in-demand careers. The college’s successful Pathways to Manufacturing Program is now poised to take that success to the next level.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) has awarded NCC a $199,843 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant, which will enable the college to develop and implement Career Pathways in Manufacturing. The 8-week, 160-hour program will introduce manufacturing training and apprenticeship programs to individuals who are seeking a new career but may face barriers to employment.

The new program is the next generation of NCC’s previous grant-funded Industrial Workforce Skills Development programs, which include Pathways to Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance, and Precision Machining. Building on the success and lessons from those programs, the Career Pathways in Manufacturing Program will incorporate feedback from employers, workforce partners, and graduates to ensure it meets current workforce needs.

“NCC’s training-to-career programs change lives,” says Michele Salkin, program manager for trade and technical programs. “We are thrilled to receive this generous award from the DCED to continue providing entry-level industrial skills training to people who may be unaware of the many career pathways available in the growing field of manufacturing. Our team at NCC looks forward to continuing to empower adult learners to succeed in new careers, while building a pipeline of employees to meet the critical needs of our employer partners. It’s a win-win situation.”

The Career Pathways in Manufacturing Program includes a series of stackable credentials – some already developed by NCC and some that will be created for this initiative – that teach essential skills and include project-based learning. Students in the program will experience hands-on training at the FAB Lab, NCC’s maker space located at the Fowler Family Southside Center that combines state-of-the-art equipment and technology with expert instruction. 

With the DCED funding, students also will visit local manufacturing companies and learn why manufacturing continues to be a top Lehigh Valley industry. The program will help students identify and leverage their strengths to seek out opportunities that align with their new knowledge and skills.

“There are so many pathways to success in the manufacturing industry, and this is a great way for people to explore these opportunities,” says Salkin. “NCC is very grateful for the funding to develop innovative programming for the next generation of skilled technicians here in the Lehigh Valley.” 

Program goals include serving at least 36 students in three cohorts. Class sizes will remain small so that students receive the personalized instruction that made previous iterations of the program so successful. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared for occupations in an industry that is experiencing an urgent need for entry-level workers. They will also learn about opportunities to continue their educational path through further coursework and apprenticeship programs. 

During the last six months, the team have gathered feedback and assessed the needs of industry partners to ensure the training includes the most critical skills employers need.

The first class will begin in February. If interested, sign-up for a mandatory information session.