Workforce Strategies

Eight Graduate from MACWIC Manufacturing Training

On Friday, July 17th, Matthew Healy, MassMEP manufacturing skills instructor, began handing out awards. The students had just completed two weeks of intensive training in shop math, blue print reading, metrology and quality inspection, work readiness, safety/OSHA, CNC mill and CNC lathe skills, introduction to programming, and lean manufacturing. The program was provided to a group of recent high school graduates from Tantasqua, Bay Path, Southbridge and Bartlett High Schools who expressed interested in pursuing careers in manufacturing.

From left to right: Wendy Storm, Mass MEP, MACWIC Vocational Coordinator; Matthew Healy, Mass MEP Basic Manufacturing Program Instructor; Michael Stanikmas; Kris Blom; Stephen Healy; Matthew Folger; Nicholas Reid; D’Andre Darusha; Ryan Sullivan; Alex Parady; Alexandra McNitt, Executive Director of Chamber of Central MA South; and Miguel Cuenca, Mass MEP Trainer.

Alexandra McNitt, Executive Director of The Chamber of Central Mass South, arranged for the training, which was funded through a Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and matched by funds donated by Country Bank, Harrington HealthCare, The Hyde-Dexter Foundation, Savers Bank, Southbridge Credit Union, Southbridge Savings Bank, and United Lens Company to help provide local manufacturers with manufacturing employees.

"Our manufacturing sector has been saying for some time that it is challenging to find qualified entry level employees," shared McNitt. "The MACWIC training program was specifically developed with this in mind. The credentials associated with each level of training are widely recognized and embraced by manufacturers in Massachusetts. Job applicants with these certifications immediately set themselves apart from their peers by having basic manufacturing skills which make it easier and more cost effective for companies to bring them on as new hires. Our aim here is to give young people the training necessary to be successful in starting a career in manufacturing – a career in which they can thrive over the long term."

As part of their training, the program provided guidance in job search, resume writing, and interviewing skills; it also included a Job Fair at which McNitt arranged for five local manufacturers – IPG Photonics, A & M Tool and Die, United Lens, Karl Storz, and Dexter Russell – to conduct one-on-one interviews with program participants. Not only did this provide invaluable experience for the students to practice their interview skills, but it resulted in job offers, second interviews, and invitations for shop tours. Several additional companies who were unable to attend the Job Fair also had the opportunity to review the graduates’ resumes and contact them for interviews.

Congratulations to D’Andre Darusha, Matthew Folger, Nicholas Reid, and Michael Stanikmas for passing MACWIC Level 1 competency testing. And to Kris Blom, Stephen Healy, Alex Parady, and Ryan Sullivan who also passed and received MACWIC Level 2 certificates. Every student received a 10-hour OSHA General Industry certificate.

RESUMES: Any companies interested in considering these graduates for employment can view their resumes at: https://stempower.groupsite.com/group/southbridge/file_cabinet