TRENTON, JULY 10, 2015 – New Jersey’s Fabricated Metal Product/CNC Manufacturing program graduated its newest class of trainees during a ceremony recently held at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in Branchburg. The Christie Administration launched the advanced manufacturing training initiative in 2013 in partnership with the New Jersey Community College Consortium and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association Manufacturers Network, which is led by LWD’s Advanced Manufacturing Talent Network.

“We are very proud of this program,” said New Jersey Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths. “We changed our training model by aligning our training efforts with the needs of New Jersey employers to give the participants in the program an opportunity for a real job that’s in demand while also offering a sustainable career.” 

Last month’s graduation marked the 14th class of graduates from the Metal Product/CNC Manufacturing program. Of the 15 graduates, seven have been placed in jobs. More than 240 individuals have been trained in metal fabrication, CNC and certified production technicians with an 85 percent job placement rate.

“Following a successful metal fabrication program at our mobile training lab, RVCC received free training equipment from local manufacturers and set up a machine shop for subsequent classes. This is a public-private partnership at its best as the employers realized the value of the training we provide to keep their talent pipeline filled, leading to local economic development,” said Sivaraman Anbarasan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development. “Under funding from state Department of Labor for the third year, the Consortium has continued to bring the training across 10 counties in New Jersey and has provided a trained workforce to more than 75 small manufacturing companies.”

The 15 graduates are equipped for careers in the Fabricated Metal industry, which involves cutting, bending and transforming metal into finished products or parts for assembly. Each trainee also passed the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Certification Exam for Measurement, Materials, and Safety Level I.

For more information about the Fabricated Metal Product / CNC Machining Manufacturing Training Program and admission requirements please go to www.njworkforce.org.