City Officials Encourage Mid-Skill Job Growth

Alderman-at-Large Dan Moriarty, chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, met last week with representatives from Nashua Community College.

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, city officials and NCC administrators say mid-skill job growth is beneficial, especially for individuals with family incomes ranging from $30,000 to $50,000.

Lucille Jordan, president of NCC, said there must to be a strong connection between the labor force, advanced manufacturing industries, post-secondary education facilities and public schools.

“We need industry here,” Jordan told Moriarty and company. Engineering jobs are often a ticket out of poverty for some students, she said.

While it is important to offer the job skill training, Jordan said it is also critical for the jobs to be available in Nashua once students graduate.

NCC has four major studies of trade, including engineering, mechanical design, advanced manufacturing and computer science.

The local college recently received a federal grant to help focus on advanced manufacturing, and is building a training incubator Jordan hopes will help attract more industry to Nashua.

The college is also looking to do various co-op programs with area businesses, and routinely works with BAE Systems on similar initiatives to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, according to Jordan.

“Tuition is high, and when you make an investment, you want to have a good-paying job,” she said, adding companies like BAE Systems are seeking mid-skill workers with prior training in the various trades.

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