NASHUA, NH – It only takes 10 weeks, 400 hours of hard work, and the determination to complete the program to change direction in life. On Nov. 1, 21 students from a wide range of backgrounds, different ages, and home countries got to celebrate completing the Microelectronics & Precision Manufacturing Boot Camp programs at Nashua Community College (NCC).
The courses are intensive, hands-on training programs that rapidly prepare students for entry-level high-demand jobs. They are taught skills that match employment opportunities currently available in the local economy. In addition to vocational skills they learned job-seeking skills, and mathematics and had field trips to local companies to get a perspective on their careers.
The programs are supported by many local companies. NCC partners with companies such as BAE Systems, Inc., Granite State Manufacturing, Draper Labs, Microsembly, Mercury Systems, L3 Harris Technologies, API Technology, MACOM, MIT Lincoln Labs, Lockheed Martin, Monzite, and more.
The precision manufacturing training is supported by the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership – Powered by SENEDIA – The Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation, which makes it possible for students to enroll for free.
The Microelectronics graduates are guaranteed interviews with founding partner, BAE Systems, Inc. Precision Manufacturing students are guaranteed interviews with Granite State Manufacturing. All of the students had interviews during the course and many have positions waiting for them.
The graduation was the first time both Boot Camps had simultaneous graduations. About 75 friends family and NCC staff attended the event.
Recent High School graduate Wyatt Statson from Milford is looking forward to “his first job, first real work experience,’’ and said “I found the program to be amazing.” He is looking to land a job with BAE Systems.
Ayslinn Konopka is a single mother and attended the microelectronics class. Describing the experience she said, “We looked forward to coming to class in the morning. The atmosphere was really great. And it’s not just the work. It’s the people, the teachers. It was a good experience and it made us look forward to what it would be like in the workplace. It went by really, really fast. But it was worth it.”
She will begin her new job at BAE Systems later this month
VP of Student and Community Affairs Barry Garside addressed the graduates. He thanked the industry and community partners for their support and attention to students, contributing to the high student success rate.
He talked about the places each student began upon entering the program, the challenges in their lives, and his respect for their accomplishment. Speaking to the students he said, “You were afraid, and you were bold. And now you’re here, and you’re graduating. You’re about to take on a job that you did, a career that you should be very proud of, not only for yourself but for the work you do. And you should be very, very proud. And I admire the stories that I know all of you have.”
Precision Manufacturing graduate Michael Tufts addressed the audience on behalf of his peers.
“This is the best and most difficult training that I’ve ever completed. Everyone in the class was amazing, nobody got left behind. I was in the Army, I retired about two years ago. I attempted a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and found it was a bad fit for me. After that semester, I had no direction,” Tufts said.
His friend recommended the precision manufacturing class. “I came down and interviewed with Jon Mason and got accepted. The first day was like a bomb dropped. I thought I was in over my head. But I kept going. You have to trust the process. The most valuable thing they teach in this class is how to solve problems.”
Graduate Matthew Elliott represented the Microelectronics class.
“Day one of this class was like being dropped on another planet. Luckily, I was not alone through any of this,” Elliot said. “The instructors are amazing; they have an incredible amount of wisdom. Our cohort is very diverse, with people of all ages and experiences. Our instructors met each of us where we’re at.”
Elliott said industry professionals came in for additional training – NCC instructor Woody Thornton ran a Lean Manufacturing training and Jon Mason offered life skills training such as resume writing and mock interviews. “We stuck it out. And most importantly, we helped each other out.”
Congratulations to all the graduates
Microelectronics: Joao Barroso, Matthew Elliott, Andy Em, Wilber Frias, Kristina McLean, John McShea, Maribi Reyes, Wyatt Stetson, Ian (Toby) Wells, Ayslinn Konopka
Precision Manufacturing: Daniel Beaucler, Thomas Giannotte, Alexander Haas, Zachary Kemp, Nathan Litalien, Samantha Niquette, Cody Sarette, William Stepanik, Alex Szewczyk, and Michael Tufts.
