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NTC working on industry partnerships

By Grace Pecci - Staff Writer | Mar 20, 2019

BAE Systems is one of multiple local companies partnering with the Nashua Technology Center. The firm provides internships to students with hopes they will continue in the field and help build their ‘talent pipeline.’ Telegraph photo by GRACE PECCI

NASHUA – The Nashua Technology Center is not only letting students get hands-on career experience in their classrooms, but also in their future fields.

Mike McQuilkin serves as the center’s director on behalf of Nashua High School South. His goal is to increase partnerships with industries in the area.

“It provides opportunities for kids, whether that’s internships, paid jobs or other things. It increases communication between teachers and industry to make sure what’s going on with classes is consistent with what’s going on in the workforce. And it makes long-lasting relationships with local industries,” McQuilkin said.

This is exactly what he and other staff members have set out to do. There are many partnerships already established. However, recently they have been working on building partnerships with BAE Systems, Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. and Mass Design Inc.

“We’re continuing to look to find opportunities for students,” McQuilkin said.

BAE Systems

This year, two students from Nashua High School South’s Video Production Program, Emi McDonald and Matt MacDonald, were hired as paid videographer interns at BAE Systems. The internship has allowed the students to take what they’ve learned in their classes and apply it.

The students use Avid Media Composer, the same software they’ve used in their video production classes.

“The teachers have done a great job teaching us, not only about the equipment, but also soft skills,” Emi McDonald said.

Matt MacDonald believes his teachers at South really care about their students, even after graduation. Of the internship with BAE Systems, he said he enjoys it and it involves a lot of quick thinking on one’s feet.

MacDonald and McDonald are working on doing live feeds, video editing and anything else the company needs.

BAE Systems has a number of programs open to high school students. These include, Women in Technology, FIRST Robotics, FOCUS (Fostering Opportunities and careers utilizing STEM) and engineering career day. The company is known for hiring a number of young interns and workers, but in particular, there was a need for videographer interns.

BAE Director of Engineering and Development Rich Rossetti said he had met with McQuilkin to inquire about interns.

The company was looking for graduating high school seniors. Rossetti said with interns, the company understands they may not know everything there is to know about the industry, so they pair interns with mentors.

The two students were paired with an experienced videographer so that he could teach them various functions, such as editing, streaming, creating a live feed and video recording.

Rossetti said working with young students is a great opportunity.

“We want to make sure we are feeding that talent pipeline and stimulating students and invigorating students to have an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” Rossetti said.

He added, “A lot of our college graduates that we hired have had internships here at BAE Systems.”

In terms of the engineering community at BAE Systems, Rossetti said many workers will be leaving the industry soon due to retirement.

“It’s even more critical that that pipeline is being fed by local schools and universities. There’s going to be many opportunities in the future,” Rossetti said. “So, not only are we very interested in community investment, we also want the word to get out there that students who are interested in STEM should stay in the field.”

Hitchiner Manufacturing Co.

Hitchiner Manufacturing Co.’s relationship with high school students in Nashua is relatively new, though Senior HR Generalist Julia Fretwell said the company is very open to expanding relationships with area schools. Hitchiner has a been working with Milford High School staff members to create a Manufacturing Exploration & Externship program, through which students will be able to work with local companies such as Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. and get class credit.

In continuing their search for expanding relationships with area schools, Fretwell and Vice President Corporate Affairs and Services Tim Sullivan toured Nashua’s career technical education centers.

McQuilkin said 15 students had interviewed with the company for spring internships. He and other staff members worked with the students on a variety of skills, including writing resumes, helping students practice for interview questions, teaching them about “dressing for success,” giving ‘thank you’ notes and other skills. Students are waiting to hear back from the company.

Fretwell said official are planning for four Nashua CTE students as interns in a variety of fields that are mostly centered around engineering. She said they are also working to have other students tour the facility.

Fretwell said this can help students relate what they are learning in the classroom to what exists in the industry. She said it allows schools to adapt and or change their curriculum to support what employers ultimately will look for in an employee.

On top of this, it forms a mutually beneficial relationship.

“(This) has an impact in that we’re able to expose Hitchiner to a future workforce population, whether they are going on for a four-year degree, maybe a potential college intern, or maybe they are looking to continue their studies but they are going to be attending to a local community college,” Fretwell said.

The company also offers tuition assistance to employees of six months or more who are taking a company-related and pre-approved course.

Fretwell said, “The sky’s the limit in terms of potential opportunities that folks have here,” Fretwell added. “We’re definitely very excited and pleased to be partnering with Nashua.”

Juniors Nathan Grant and Joe Calamo are two students with hopes of getting an internship. Grant hopes to enter the U.S. Air Force to study chemical or mechanical engineering. Grant said he hopes to get an internship with the company so that he build his skills toward his future career choice. He said he has always been interested in engineering and enjoys hands-on tasks.

Calamo spoke along similar lines as Grant, saying he would like a chance to work with engineers and to learn from the company. Calamo said he enjoyed preparing for the interview, as well.

Mass Design

Junior Austin Bourque was fortunate enough to land a part-time position at Mass Design, an integrated manufacturing company; Bourque said he enjoys this. He works with manufacturing circuit boards and receives assembly kitting.

“It’s quite an amazing jump forward, where I am now,” Bourque said. He wants to continue with the company through the end of high school.

Co-Founder and President of Mass Design Tony Bourassa said the company was looking for entry-level workers for their assembly area “who, frankly, have a good work ethic.”

“The idea is, these are real entry-level positions. They aren’t rocket science, but they do take a good amount of attention to detail,” Bourassa said.

In the past, he said, the company was hiring students straight out of high school.

“We want someone who is enthusiastic about the job,” Bourassa added.

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