As October comes to a close, I wonder how many of us knew that this month had been declared manufacturing month in the state of Massachusetts. Governor Baker issued this official proclamation in August noting that Massachusetts manufacturers are world-class companies that distribute innovative products globally and are an essential part of the state’s economy. In fact, Massachusetts has more than 7,000 manufacturers with more than 250,000 jobs. The Governor also recognized that up to 100,000 new workers will be needed over the next ten years to fill ground-breaking jobs in the Massachusetts advanced manufacturing industry. Many Massachusetts residents are unaware that manufacturing is alive and well across our Commonwealth. In Westfield and the surrounding towns, there are more than forty manufacturing businesses that employ workers from all over our region. Westfield Technical Academy has always known that this industry is a vital part of our local economy. Since 1911, our Manufacturing Technology Department has played an important part in educating young people for manufacturing businesses and industries in Western Massachusetts.
The goal of the WTA Manufacturing Program is to educate and train students for various career paths in manufacturing and precision machining. The course of study for Manufacturing Technology is well rounded and offers students the opportunity to enter any of the many career paths offered by the precision manufacturing field. There are many high-paying career and educational options for the graduates of our program. Our students can become toolmakers, manual machinists, CNC machinists, quality control inspectors, applications engineers, machine tool installers, job processors, attend community college, technical college, or pursue a four year degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering. In fact, many of the companies that employ our graduates help pay for or reimburse some or all of the students’ college tuition in exchange for long-term employment. The lessons and skills that the students learn in our program provide them with an opportunity to achieve high-paying, life-long careers.
Of course, one of the larger obstacles in any educational setting is to keep up the rapid change of technology. WTA’s Manufacturing Technology Program has formed unique partnerships with local software and machine tool companies that allow us to stay current with business and industry trends. This business-to-school collaboration allows our students to learn the most current, high-tech, skill sets that are needed to be a successful component of local business and industry. Ultimately, our Manufacturing Technology Department could not be what it is without the continued support of these local business and industry. In the past year alone local businesses like Able Machine Tools, B&E Tool, Industrial Precision, Peerless Precision, and Precise Turning and Manufacturing, have donated more than $20,000 in tooling and supplies to the program, and we are very thankful for their continued support.
Manufacturing is important not only as an economic driver of our state, but also as a key generator of innovation, product development and employment potential. Manufacturing jobs offer flexibility, excitement, and good pay, and companies are seeking smart, dedicated workers. Our Manufacturing Technology Program has four, knowledgeable, and highly motivated instructors. This allows us to offer smaller class sizes thus giving students the attention they need to achieve success. Our instructors use a structured, progressive training process that prepares students for immediate employment after high school by emphasizing the importance of diligent work ethic and an ability to pay close attention to detail. Students that graduate from the manufacturing program are well prepared for immediate employment at the many manufacturing facilities in the area. For more information regarding the Manufacturing Technology Program at Westfield Technical Academy, please contact Mr. Gary Nadeau, lead instructor, by phone at 413-572-6533 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Stefan Czaporowski
Principal
Westfield Technical Academy
