For the better part of the last decade leaders in manufacturing have had the same concern – a lack of skilled workers to fill in-demand jobs.

One of the largest contributing factors has been what’s been called the “silver tsunami” — the retiring of baby boomers in mass numbers leaving positions that require specific technical skills open.

“There’s a record number of retirements and decades of talent and experience that need to be passed on,” said Shelly Mule, business development professional at Northampton Community College. “In the past companies were looking for experience, but that’s just not there, so we need to create that experience.”

To meet the workforce needs NCC has been steadily growing its workforce development programs by working with employers, the state Department of Community & Economic Development and Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.

The training programs have been bolstered by strong support from the state.

Most recently, the DCED awarded NCC a $199,843 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant, which will enable the college to develop and implement Career Pathways in Manufacturing. The 8-week, 160-hour program will introduce manufacturing training and apprenticeship programs to individuals who are seeking a new career but may face barriers to employment. The program will be free to participants thanks to the grant funding.

Currently, the community college is paying particular attention to news coming from the federal government, which recently pledged nearly $200 million to support the semiconductor industry in the Lehigh Valley.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it finalized plans to award Infinera up to $93 million in direct funding, which will include upgrades to its facilities in Bethlehem creating around 360 jobs.

The department also said that it had signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum for up to $79 million in proposed direct funding towards manufacturing expansion at Coherent’s Easton facilities creating an expected 500 jobs in the Lehigh Valley.

Those new employees will need highly specific skills to work in the industry and NCC workforce development trainers are hoping to be part of the solution, said Michele Salkin, program manager for Workforce Development at NCC.

“We have the facilities. We have the availability to help and we’re really excited,” Salkin said. “Northampton is uniquely positioned to help workers, and we do plan to offer our services to help these companies.”

While there are no immediate plans for NCC to get involved in training for the expected new hires, Salkin said the school does plan to reach out to the companies to show how they can help.

That, she said, is how NCC has developed its comprehensive workforce training programs.

“NCC has been focused on going out to industry and finding out what is important to them. “Salkin said. “We’ve been waiting for the whole semiconductor thing to land and now it seems it has.”

She noted that while NCC has the ability to tailor its training to the needs of each individual industry or employer, it does have a core program that it relies on for much of its workforce development efforts.

Grant-funded Industrial Workforce Skills Development programs at NCC include Pathways to Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance, and Precision Machining.

Building on the success and lessons from those programs, the Career Pathways in Manufacturing Program will incorporate

feedback from employers, workforce partners, and graduates to ensure it meets current workforce needs.

Pathways to Manufacturing is designed to create interest in manufacturing careers with curriculum designed to help industry partners.

Industrial Maintenance is designed to identify people with strong mechanical aptitude and transferable skills to get them on a path into a high demand manufacturing career.

The Precision Machine Program is the school’s newest offering to promote skills for that industry. NCC is currently finalizing programing and seeking out grants to fund training.

But the school doesn’t just focus on training new workers, but also on boosting the skills of existing workers.

NCC also has training programs available to develop skills to enhance the career opportunities for members of a company’s workforce.

In fact, NCC is a WEDnet PA training partner, which means employers are eligible for up to $2,000 in reimbursement for training and education for full-time Pennsylvania residents.

“Workforce development creates economic prosperity for individuals, companies and communities, “Salkin said. “Northampton Community College’s short-term career readiness programs provide job seekers with the skills and credentials they need to embark on a new career while providing employers with the skilled workers they are seeking.”