Boot camp instructor James Flis delivers his remarks during the April 23 graduation of the 36th Cohort of the Microelectronic Boot Camp at Nashua Community College. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – April 25 marked the end of 10 weeks of toil for the 12 members of the 36th Cohort of the Microelectronics Boot Camp at Nashua Community College.

During the ceremony, student speaker Trey Newell said he moved more than 700 miles from home to enroll in the boot camp.

“We all have our stories, I just moved out from Ohio. I moved away from everything I have ever known, to take a chance on this program,” he said. “I can confidently say we are all going to be much more successful in our lives after taking this program.”

Student speaker Spencer Davis spoke about the struggles he encountered during the third week of the program.

“I didn’t care how vulnerable I was, I just didn’t care,” he said.

Student speaker Spencer Davis addressed his classmates during the April 23 graduation of the 36th Cohort of the Microelectronic Boot Camp at Nashua Community College. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

A short time later, classmate Dean Adams sensed something was wrong and began peppering Davis with questions.

“After about the 50th question, I looked at Dean and said, ‘it’s my birthday,'” said Davis.

However, he no longer saw it as his birthday as it was also the anniversary of his father’s death.

“Nothing good ever happens on this day,” he said.

Yet, something good did happen this year as Davis’ 11 classmates rallied around him and wished him a happy birthday.

Student speaker Trey Newell addressed his classmates during the April 23 graduation of the 36th Cohort of the Microelectronic Boot Camp at Nashua Community College. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

Davis, who has since accepted a job at BAE Systems, went on to realize that his father would be very proud of his son’s accomplishments.

“This cohort taught me a very valuable lesson in self-worth and I’ll never forget that,” he said. “We are worth more in our weight than gold will ever be.”

After attempting the complex process of ribbon bonding, U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) said she could truly appreciate the talent and precision that is required to complete the program.

“There is no program like the Microelectronics Boot Camp,” she said. “This boot camp is truly a model for the nation. It’s this incredible team that you’ve put together. This is what we need in our country more than ever before.”.

Boot camp instructor James Flis said nearly 400 students have completed the program since its inception 10 years ago.

U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) delivers her remarks during the April 23 graduation of the 36th Cohort of the Microelectronic Boot Camp at Nashua Community College. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

“They come here in an effort to better themselves, there are moments of stress, frustration, and success,” he said. “These guys have been through it all, they grow to respect each other, the process and the lab. They formed themselves into a team that anyone would be proud to have.”

Devina Duncan graduated with Cohort 24 in June 2022 and now works at Analog Devices in Chelmsford, Mass.

“Before I took this program, I was a bartender,” she said. “I made decent money and met great people, but it wasn’t my dream.”

She had a demanding work schedule that always included nights and weekends.

“At some point, I stopped being content, I didn’t like the schedule and didn’t see much growth,” said Duncan.

Then her parents told her about the Microelectronics Boot Camp at NCC and her life changed less than three months later.

“As of last July, I was given a promotion and am now a technician. I truly like my job and I see plenty of room for growth,” said Duncan. “My boss is awesome, I get weekends off, and I get great benefits. I plan on taking advantage of my employer’s tuition reimbursement to come back to school and go after my high school dream of becoming an engineer.”

Interim President Alfred Williams said former President Lucille Jordan, who died in December 2024, was instrumental in getting the boot camp off the ground.

“Working closely with Lucille over the years, she always told me what great workforce programs were available in Nashua and these are really a model for the entire state,” he said. “It was great to see the students in action during the semester and one thing I’m concerned about is ‘does everyone have a job’ and the answer is yes, everyone has a job.”

Jason Krug, director of Strategic Operations at BAE Systems, said numerous boot camp graduates have gone on to work for BAE.

“We’ve on-boarded several hundred of these folks at BAE and I’m really proud of that,” he said.

Krug also described the intensity of working in microelectronics.

“It’s really diving into components the size of a salt granule,” he said. “The world is built with small things. The technology you studied here is shaping everything. This is incredible stuff guys.”