(File photo) Nashua Mayor James Donchess

NASHUA – Mayor James Donchess recently announced that the city will stand behind BAE Systems as the company applies for a $36 million federal grant under the CHIPS and Science Act to “further develop its workforce training and enhance its high-tech manufacturing capabilities.”

“This is an important initiative in my opinion, we want to develop a very strong, thriving manufacturing sector,” Donchess said during the June 27 Board of Aldermen meeting.

Should BAE receive the grant, the city would contribute $200,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to launch a Workforce Development Training Program at Nashua Community College. This would be enforced by a Memorandum of Agreement between the city, BAE and NCC.

“This specific program, run through the Department of Commerce, requires local and state participation in the form of incentives to qualify,” said Timothy Cummings, the city’s Administrative Services director, in his June 26 letter to the aldermen.

The program would continue to be funded through student tuition, which is set at $5,500 per session.

Cummings said the program would include an eight- to 10-week “Clean Room Bootcamp.” This would be a non-credit class modeled after the Microelectronics Bootcamp which has already proven to be successful.

“The idea is to give basic clean room skills to potential employees so they can have a certain level of education, exposure and understanding of a clean room environment, making them more attractive candidates,” said Cummings.

Students who complete the program would be eligible for employment at BAE’s Microelectronics Center on Spit Brook Road. As a result, the company would add 24 new jobs representing a 12 percent increase in its current workforce.

“Students are guaranteed an interview with BAE Systems at the end of the program,” said Cummings.

BAE is expecting a response from the U.S. Department of Commerce by the end of the summer.