NCC Provides Relevant Workforce Development Opportunities

With some of the nation’s most recognizable manufacturing companies located in the Lehigh Valley, it’s no surprise that Northampton Community College (NCC) is a key player in workforce development.  

According to recent statistics released by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation in celebration of National Manufacturing Month this October, manufacturing is booming in the Lehigh Valley and showing signs of growth. With a wide range of industrial, skilled trade, and manufacturing programs, NCC is poised to be a premier partner in helping meet the advanced manufacturing industry’s need for skilled labor. 

NCC is a training provider for several registered apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing, which employs an “earn while you learn” model where students are employed by a company and take courses at NCC while applying the skills they learn on the job under the mentorship of a skilled employee. These pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs develop and expand in-demand skills for students eager to pursue long-term, sustainable careers in the advanced manufacturing and skilled trades industries.  

When Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited B. Braun of America in Hanover Township in September to discuss the company’s multimillion dollar investment to expand its product line and hire over 200 workers, it was NCC student Tessa MacLean who joined him to talk about her work at B. Braun through the apprenticeship program. A second-generation worker at B. Braun, MacLean praised the company for giving her the “life-changing” opportunity to return to school and pursue a career where she helps develop products that can save lives.    

At NCC, MacLean is completing the related technical instruction for an apprenticeship in mechatronics and will go on to pursue an associate degree. She previously graduated from the registered pre-apprenticeship program, industrial skills in manufacturing, at NCC, earning four credits to apply toward her apprenticeship. Students may also apply these credits to the College’s associate degree, certificate, and specialized diploma programs in the industrial, trade, and manufacturing fields. 

This past fall, NCC launched a new industrial maintenance technician certificate program to respond to the need for skilled technicians in this high-priority field. Students pursuing the certificate can complete many of the core classes in the industrial maintenance millwright degree program in only three semesters, giving them the advantage of entering the field sooner while still having the option to continue to complete the associate degree. As demand continues to grow, NCC is continuing to develop leading-edge curricula to prepare students not just for stable, well-paying jobs, but for careers and growth in the industry.  

“Our goal is to support different career pathways within industry so students can pursue careers based on their interests, skills, and experience. Tessa, whose goal is to be a process engineer, has been earning stackable credentials along the way, while she applies the skills she’s learning in her role at B. Braun,” says Michele Salkin, program manager for trade and technical programs. “Another benefit of this model is that these students bring real industry experience into the classroom, creating an even more engaging learning environment for everyone.” 

NCC also provides a unique opportunity for individuals to learn about the many career pathways available in advanced manufacturing. The career pathways to manufacturing program is a seven-week program that is offered to eligible job seekers at no cost thanks to grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. Participants tour local manufacturers, learn about various occupations in the field, and gain entry-level technical skills that they apply in a series of hands-on projects. They also have an opportunity to meet with local employers including Sharp Packaging, B. Braun, Lutron, and many other companies in a range of industries in the Lehigh Valley. The next cohort starts this coming February 2026.  

For more information about the career pathways to manufacturing program, contact Erin Anderson at eanderson@northampton.edu or 610-332-6317. Explore other pathways in manufacturing, skilled trades, and other workforce opportunities.