M&S Centerless Grinding Owner John Shedgda (center) with (from left-right) Dylan Rearick, Andrew Garvey, Angel Rodriguez and John Burkhardt.
Credit: Submitted
After being stuck in a dead end construction job, Levittown resident Andy Garvey, 24, wanted a change and was looking for a new career. Some searching led him to a training program from the Bucks County Community College Center for Workforce Development and eventually a job he loves.
Garvey, who works as at M&S Centerless Grinding in Hatboro, said his current job is one he plans to stay at and likely wouldn’t be possible without the community college’s Metalwork Training program, which boasts a 94 percent job-placement rate.
The Metalwork Training program is a partnership between the college, private business, county government, the Bucks County Workforce Development Board and PA CareerLink. Funding for the free job training program comes a federal grant distributed by the county.
Garvey’s employer, M&S Centerless Grinding and its subsidiary Meron Medical in Warminster, has hired five employees that have graduated from the Metalwork Training program.
“I look at this program as significantly more than just training, but as a pipeline into the industry,” said John Shegda, owner of M&S Centerless Grinding and president of the local chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association. “I like that employers are engaged in recruiting students, developing curriculum and hosting company tours. There has been engagement along every step of the way.”
The community college said more than 50 local businesses have interviewed potential students, provided on-site training, and offered jobs to successful graduates since the program began in 2014.
John Dolan, vice president of sales for Waste Gas Fabricating Company in Fairless Hills, said the program success has exceeded their expectations. So far, the company employs three graduates of the people.
“Employer involvement in vetting students with the promise of employment has been critical in the program’s success,” said Dolan. “We are seeing a changing workforce in advanced manufacturing and we need to stay competitive. The program helps us reach people who are looking for a lifelong career but who might not have originally thought of our industry.”
In a statement, the community college said the program has had more than five dozen graduates that have completed the program and found employment.
“This program is unique in that it provides manufacturing-related training for individuals focused on determining a long-term career path,” said instructor Rich Vanderbilt. “The universal goal for Bucks staff is to transform a number of highly qualified students with little or no manufacturing background and make them useful to local hiring companies who are looking for the correct blend of technical and soft skills.”
Employers said the program offers quality instruction for a skilled trade and also has students take the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) exam for Measurement, Materials, and Safety Certification.
“In one sense it showed us different types of manufacturing that is in the area. Things I wasn’t aware of before,” Garvey said. “I learned how to use measurement equipment and read blueprints.”
The Metalwork Training program will have a new class of students graduating this month with a new group starting classes in October.
While the program is free due to the grant funding, student are required to meet a certain criteria to qualify.
Bucks County residents interested in learning more about this unique training program are invited by the community college to contact Susan Herring at the Center for Workforce Development at 215-968-8364 or Susan.Herring@bucks.edu, or visit www.bucks.edu/cwd.
Due to his training, Garvey said he has not only found a job but a career he enjoys.
“I look to stay where I am, and I have gained skills that can be used,” Garvey said.
