Apprentices to receive classroom training at Nashua Community College and will be trained as CNC Operators
More New Hampshire companies are finding value in upskilling their workforce through the ApprenticeshipNH program through NH’s community colleges.
Granite State Manufacturing, a Manchester-based advanced manufacturer, recently partnered with Nashua Community College (NCC) and the Community College System of New Hampshire’s ApprenticeshipNH – a program that seeks to address workforce needs in various sectors throughout the state. The new partnership will enable Granite State Manufacturing employees to gain new skills through a combination of classroom experience and on-the-job training. The new partnership will provide opportunities for individuals to pursue more advanced, alternative career options.
Granite State Manufacturing specializes in engineering, program management and production in the defense, medical, security and industrial markets. The new partnership will provide individuals with the opportunity to become CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machinists. In this new role, apprentices will work with computer-controlled machines that help to manufacture precision parts and assemblies.
“Our new partnership with ApprenticeshipNH is an opportunity for us to provide our employees with the skills they need to advance in their careers,” said Hope Kelly, director of human resources at Granite State Manufacturing. “It is one of our main company objectives to access talented and skilled workers to fill the capacity for our growing business. As a government contractor, we are limited in the workforce we can hire from the outside. We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our employees, who we value so much, and to obtain both financial and consultative assistance to do so. We are dedicated to them and offering them access to an opportunity like this is just another way we can show our appreciation for all of their hard work.”
The new Registered Apprenticeship program at Granite State Manufacturing will train the company’s existing employees to become CNC machinists. During the program, apprentices will take classes for credit at Nashua Community College. The program requires more than 500 hours of classroom instruction and, upon completion of the classroom portion of the program, apprentices will receive 20 credits towards a Machine Tool Technology CNC Programming Certificate and/or the Associate of Science degree in Precision Manufacturing.
“All of the apprentices in this program will receive college credit that goes directly to the certificate or degree option they select,” said Emily Zeien, grant manager for ApprenticeshipNH. “Aside from offering advanced career options, this helps participants work towards receiving a certificate or a degree that can enable them to continue to build and advance in their careers.”
The Registered Apprenticeship program at Granite State Manufacturing also requires two years of on-the-job training at the company. Apprentices will receive wages in a progressively increasing schedule based on the current hourly journey worker wage rate.
To learn more about the ApprenticeshipNH program, including additional opportunities, visit earnlearnnh.org, or contact Emily Zeien at apprenticeshipusanh@ccsnh.edu.
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About Granite State Manufacturing
Founded in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1938, Granite State Manufacturing is a highly specialized organization, combining value engineering, program management and in-house, state-of-the-art production facilities. Granite State Manufacturing offers the military, medical, semi-conductor and pharmaceutical industries a full range of manufacturing services including precision machining, metal fabrication, welding, soldering, mechanical assembly, electrical assembly and testing.
About ApprenticeshipNH
The ApprenticeshipNH Program, housed at the Community College System of New Hampshire, is a unique effort that prepares workers as Registered Apprentices to better compete in the modern workforce. Focusing on the Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Information Technology sectors, the ApprenticeshipNH Program provides workers with invaluable opportunities to pursue highly-skilled, high-paying jobs, and opportunities for employers seeking to build a qualified workforce in NH. The program is funded through a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
About Nashua Community College
Since 1970, Nashua Community College has been successfully meeting the educational needs of the Greater Nashua area by providing a high quality, two-year, postsecondary education. The college partners closely with area industries that provide students with a unique perspective in their fields of study, allowing for a real-world experience to further their academic journey. Students can choose from a variety of associate degree and certificate programs, with six programs now being offered online. Nashua Community College is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors and embraces the “65 by 25 initiative,” which calls for 65 percent of New Hampshire citizens to have some form of postsecondary education by 2025 to meet future workforce demands.
