WESTFIELD-With a deadline quickly approaching for a unique, no-cost, accelerated program in advance manufacturing training, eligible local residents are urged to apply soon.
With a tentative start date of Jan. 30 at Westfield Technical Academy, the program will assist in providing replacement workers for the skilled machinists, machine operators and quality inspectors who are retiring in our region and leaving a void in the workforce.
A new technical training program for unemployed or under-employed individuals will be offered at no-cost at Westfield Technical Academy. (Submitted photo)
The 255-hour program will encompass basic training in theory, operation and set-up of manual and CNC machines, blueprint reading, shop math, measurement tools and quality control in manufacturing, all led by experienced instructors and industry experts in basic machine shop engineering principles. Upon completion of the program, adults will be eligible for jobs ranging from entry-level machinists and machine operators to quality control inspectors, with typical starting wages of $14 to $18 an hour.
Larry Martin, director of employer services and engagement, Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc., is coordinating logistics for the application process and encouraged area residents interested in the program to complete the paperwork as soon as possible.
“We have set a deadline of Jan. 26 to apply for the program,” said Martin, adding that since nine individuals are already in the process of being screened, only five to six slots remain.
The program, which is open to unemployed or under-employed (making less than $11 per hour or working only part-time) individuals, is being funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
Eligibility requirements for individuals also include a high school diploma or equivalent, being legally able to work in the United States, and completing assessment testing (basic test of math, reading and location information). All testing will be done at either FutureWorks or CareerPoint Career Center and takes approximately 3.5 hours. Individuals will also need to speak and understand English and have a completed resume.
Typical training programs are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Curriculum highlights include shop safety, applied math, blueprint reading, composition of metals and other materials, machining theory, using measurement devices such as calipers, micrometers and gauges, quality control, introduction to basic shop equipment and tools, and manual and CNC machine operations.
After successfully completing the program, individuals will be assisted with job placement opportunities.
Martin noted that tests and assessments are representative of the type of applied shop-floor and classroom problems a trainee will be introduced to and use during the training program.
“We have websites to help individuals prepare for the testing since many individuals have never taken assessments or have been away from school for an extended period,” said Martin.
Westfield Technical Academy’s Machine Tooling Shop was chosen as one of two sites in Western Massachusetts to offer this program because it is “highly regarded” by industry as one of the premier training programs in the region. The Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative (Career-Tec) on Brush Hill Road in West Springfield will offer a similar program in its state-of-the-art Machine Tooling Lab. The program at Career-Tec is 225 hours.
Program participants will need to bring a pen or pencil, notebook and a basic calculator that can do scientific functions such as percentages, square root and exponents. All instructional materials are provided free of charge.
Since this is an accelerated program that uses complex equipment and technical instruction, each training day is considered a work day at an employer and attendance is critical to success in the program.
Martin also noted that the program has been designed in partnership with the Western MA Chapter of the National Machine Tool Association so employer partners will occasionally visit the training program and always inquire about a trainee’s performance and attendance before considering an interview.
For more information on the program, visit www.rebhc.org and print out the application form to apply for training. Once an application has been received, the individual will be contacted by phone to schedule the assessment testing.
