Northampton Community College receives funding for machining training

Investment in Workforce Development: Northampton Community College to Benefit from State Funding

With a strong commitment to bolstering Pennsylvania's workforce, Governor Josh Shapiro's administration announced a significant investment in educational programs aimed at enhancing skills in the manufacturing sector. Today, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) revealed a grant of $194,025 to Northampton Community College (NCC) as part of the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) program. This funding will be used to train individuals in Precision Machining and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fundamentals.

The initiative aims to provide comprehensive training through programs like Fundamentals of Precision Machining and Fundamentals of CNC. These courses are designed to cater to both novices and those with prior manufacturing experience, equipping them with the skills necessary to operate industry-standard machinery. Successful participants will obtain three industry-recognized credentials from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. The program has a capacity of 30 students.

DCED Secretary Rick Siger emphasized the importance of such investments, stating, “The Shapiro Administration’s investments in career training programs are building up the workforce of tomorrow and strengthening Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry at the same time.” The focus is on preparing workers for critical roles and enhancing the economic landscape of the state through strategic investments.

NCC's recruitment efforts for these programs will target diverse groups, including individuals with limited technology skills, low-income backgrounds, veterans, and those who are under-employed or unemployed. Additionally, the CNC program will reach out to workers with at least one year of manufacturing experience.

Ken Nasatka, Dean of Automotive, Industry & Manufacturing at NCC, remarked on the critical demand for these skills, saying, “Precision Machining and CNC skills are in high demand throughout Pennsylvania. This funding enables Northampton Community College to train individuals to meet this need. NCC’s goal is to provide these individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure successful careers, as well as pathways into various apprenticeships and college credit opportunities for those pursuing a college degree.”

The MTTC program collaborates with local manufacturers to identify skill gaps and provide training to bridge them, thereby enhancing the employability of individuals and the capacity of manufacturers. Dr. David A. Ruth, President of NCC, expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are a college of the community. We are grateful for grants like this that help us to continue to train and upskill our community members to meet the demands of our workforce.”

Governor Shapiro’s 2025-2026 budget proposal underscores the importance of investing in workforce development, with a nearly $65 million increase in funding for vocational-technical education, career and technical education, and apprenticeships. This budget aims to enhance workforce competitiveness, strengthen communities, and tackle housing needs.

• $12.5 million allocated to WEDnetPA to expand the workforce and address critical gaps
• $2 million for establishing Career Connect to promote internships at Pennsylvania companies
• $50 million to boost the innovation ecosystem and encourage life science job growth
• $50 million for Housing Stock Restoration investments
• $10 million increase for the Act 47 Distressed Municipalities Program to aid financial recovery

For further details on the MTTC program or DCED, visit the DCED website. Stay informed with the latest updates on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.