North Adams Celebrates Graduates of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program
North Adams, Mass. — Eight students proudly received their certifications at the graduation ceremony for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the state’s Career Technical Initiative. This inaugural, free 200-hour course, funded by state implementation grants, was hosted by McCann Technical School, which also introduced courses in welding and automotive technology.
Among the graduates, Jason Lane expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I wanted to better myself… this being a free course, and what I was able to learn, I mean, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of it?" The curriculum included valuable certifications such as OSHA 10 General Industry, SolidWorks Associate, and various levels of CNC expertise.
Instructor Thomas Matuszak praised the graduates for their hard work, saying, "They exceeded anything that I would ever imagine." The students honed their skills through a combination of technical training and job preparation sessions, covering resume writing and interview techniques.
The collaboration with the MassHire Berkshire Career Center and the Commonwealth Corporation aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills for in-demand jobs in Berkshire County. Melanie Herzig from MassHire encouraged attendees to leverage their new skills at an upcoming job fair, offering early access to local employers.
Superintendent James Brosnan emphasized the importance of maintaining connections with instructors and mentors, offering his support as a reference for future employment opportunities. As the program wraps up, planning for the next session is already underway, with hopes to resume in late fall.
Graduates left the ceremony with digital portfolios showcasing their accomplishments, reinforcing their readiness for transition into the workforce.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
