The Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program recently awarded Northampton Community College (NCC) a $199,125 grant to implement a Pathways to Manufacturing program.
A Pathways to Manufacturing program is an introductory program that responds to the need for entry-level manufacturing workers. It is aimed at students who have had limited exposure to manufacturing and manufacturing careers.
NCC’s program will help low-income individuals, veterans, individuals who are basic-skills deficient, youth who are unsure of their post-graduation plans, and Lehigh Valley residents who have been forced to change career plans because of the pandemic. It will serve 40 students for 150 hours over seven weeks. Students will be able to either obtain entry-level employment in manufacturing or continue their education at a post-secondary institution.
“Our workforce development team at Northampton Community College is delighted to have received the funding to continue to deliver our ever-evolving manufacturing training programs that target out-of-school youth and career changers in the midst of the COVID pandemic,” Michele Salkin, NCC program manager of workforce development, said. “These programs have been developed based on robust and current input from our local manufacturing employers regarding what they need in the way of hands-on skills and the employability skills so necessary to allow new hires to succeed and grow their careers long-term.”