Northern Essex Community College Base Manufacturing Program

Program Description:

Through a $600,000+ grant from Axim Collaborative, Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is developing an innovative, no-cost, non-credit manufacturing training program that will prepare learners for entry-level careers in advanced manufacturing. NECC is leading the design and implementation of the program in collaboration with regional manufacturing employers to ensure the curriculum aligns with workforce needs and equips participants with the foundational technical and professional skills employers seek. 

The program will provide training in core manufacturing competencies, workplace safety, quality practices, measurement, and other foundational manufacturing concepts while also emphasizing durable workforce skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. 

Designed for unemployed and underemployed individuals, recent high school graduates, and career-changing adults, the program will create accessible pathways into high-demand manufacturing careers throughout the Merrimack Valley. Training will be offered at no cost to participants, reducing financial barriers while strengthening the regional manufacturing workforce. 

Impact:

Manufacturing remains one of Massachusetts’ critical industries, with employers consistently reporting challenges in recruiting workers with foundational technical and workplace skills. This initiative will expand access to manufacturing careers by providing high-quality, employer-informed training that prepares participants for entry-level employment while creating a model that can be replicated by community colleges across the Commonwealth. 

Population Served:

The program is designed to serve unemployed and underemployed individuals, recent high school graduates, career-changing adults, and other individuals seeking entry into manufacturing careers, with an emphasis on expanding access for populations historically underrepresented in the manufacturing workforce throughout the Merrimack Valley. 

Key Steps for Implementation:

Implementation of the initiative began with employer engagement to identify regional workforce needs and inform program design. NECC is currently completing curriculum development, preparing instructional materials and training facilities, establishing instructor capacity, and implementing data collection and evaluation systems. Recruitment for the first pilot cohorts is expected to begin in Fall 2026, with pilot implementation planned for Spring 2027. Throughout 2027, the College will evaluate participant outcomes and employer feedback to refine the program and validate its effectiveness. Lessons learned through the pilot will inform the development of a scalable implementation model and toolkit for adoption by Massachusetts community colleges beginning in 2028, with proof of concept and broader dissemination anticipated in 2029.

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026