Displaced Workers Gain Knowledge to Embark on New Manufacturing Jobs, Thanks to MassMEP Program
At the Metro South/West Employment &Training Resource center, staff members assist people who are looking for jobs or who need to enhance skills in order to advance their careers. Career counselors Bruce Landolt and Kinsey Brennan were recently working with a group of 12 colleagues from Georgia-Pacific who were looking to improve their CNC (computer numerical-control) skills and found the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) on the Web.
"MassMEP’s Mobile Outreach Skills Training® (M.O.S.T.) program trains people with little or no manufacturing experience in a relatively short amount of time," said Landolt. "They work with career centers like ours to help those looking for jobs, but who may need to brush up on skills in order to get the best job possible. We knew they’d be the ones to help us."
Leslie Parady of MassMEP worked with the group at the Worcester Technical High School to begin the training. Trainees participate in an intensive, two week, 80-hour basic operator skills training. This includes computer-based simulations and hands-on modules.
"Four of these trainees are already employed and are crediting the M.O.S.T. program with getting them in the door to employment," said Parady. "Not only does the M.O.S.T. program help the displaced worker, but it also addresses a need to fill the large number of vacant manufacturing positions at companies across Massachusetts."
Landolt and Brennan say they were pleased with the assistance from MassMEP.
"Manufacturing companies can benefit in so many ways by seeing the M.O.S.T. process," added Landolt. "The skills that this group learned really gave them confidence to seek open positions in the area that required CNC experience. I will continue to talk with additional clients about the M.O.S.T. programs and its rewards."
About MassMEP The MassMEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The national MEP system is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Through MEP, manufacturers have access to more than 2,000 manufacturing and business "coaches" whose job is to help firms make changes that lead to greater productivity, increased profits, and enhanced global competitiveness. For more information, please visit www.massmep.org, or phone 1-800-MEP-4MFG.
