{"id":27119,"date":"2019-03-12T20:06:28","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T00:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom2\/2019\/03\/13\/raytheon\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:12:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:12:06","slug":"raytheon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2019\/03\/12\/raytheon\/","title":{"rendered":"Raytheon, Union and Community College Partner to Build Strong Workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Sarath Men of Methuen is currently enrolled in the Test B Technician Program.<\/p><\/div>\n

When Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Andover needed Test B technicians, they turned to Northern Essex Community College, asking the college to create a credit certificate program<\/a> that would prepare entry-level Raytheon employees for promotions.<\/p>\n

That was in 2008, and, since then, 125 Raytheon employees, most of whom started as assemblers, have gained the skills to move up in their field.\u00a0 The company also has expanded the program to include a noncredit option for Test B technicians that want to prepare for higher-level Test A technician jobs, and 70 have completed that program.<\/p>\n

This partnership between a major employer, the employee union and the local community college, is paying off for the employees, who are advancing, and for the company, which is building its workforce from within.<\/p>\n

Courses are offered onsite at Raytheon and the company has built classrooms for lectures, problem solving, software simulations, and an electronics lab.\u00a0 Raytheon also pays for books, tuition, software, and calculators, and allows employees in the program to adjust their shifts so they can attend the classes, which run two afternoons a week for four hours for 16 weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmployees are enthusiastic about being in the program and the opportunity to further their careers.\u00a0 Participation takes commitment and hard work but seeing them graduate is a rewarding experience,\u201d says Amy Conway, Raytheon learning administrator.<\/p>\n

Developing the Program Was a Collaborative Effort<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The program was developed by Northern Essex\u2019s Engineering Department<\/a>, which is led by Professor Paul Chanley, a former Raytheon engineer, in collaboration with managers and engineers from Raytheon.<\/p>\n

Chanley says that the beauty of the Test B Technician Program is that \u201cStudents can take the certificate to further their education.\u201d\u00a0 All credits in the program transfer into the college\u2019s Associate Degree in Engineering Science-Technology Option<\/a>, which leads to greater mobility in the electronics industry and transfers to a bachelor\u2019s in engineering technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage students to continue on, and many do,\u201d says Chanley, who is also one of the program\u2019s primary instructors.<\/p>\n

The program which can be completed with a minimum of 29-credit hours focuses on electronic theory and includes hands-on laboratory experience.\u00a0 \u201cThere is always a waiting list within the company,\u201d says Chanley.<\/p>\n

Balancing Full-Time Work, Family, and College is Challenging<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sarath Men of Methuen is currently enrolled in the Test B Technician Program.\u00a0 He will graduate in May, and has already committed to continue with the Test A Technician Program in the fall.<\/p>\n

Men started at Raytheon as an assembler in 2012, and he enrolled in the program because he was looking to advance in his career.<\/p>\n

Married with two young children and, he adds, a puppy, Men admits that the program is challenging.\u00a0 \u201cWe all work full-time and most of us have kids.\u00a0 It\u2019s non-stop,\u201d he says.\u00a0 \u201cBut we\u2019ve made this commitment to go to work and better ourselves.<\/p>\n

When in school, Men works his shift from 5:30 am to 2 pm and then starts his four hours of classes at 2:30 pm.\u00a0 The evening is spent with his family and then, once his kids are in bed, he hits the books.<\/p>\n

In January, Men was promoted to a new position, based on his enrollment in the program and an interview with company engineers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very appreciative of the opportunity Raytheon is giving us,\u201d says Men.\u00a0 \u201cThey make it convenient to go to school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This Program is a Best Practice<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Kathy Ronaldson, program manager, Northern Essex\u2019s Center for Corporate & Community Education<\/a>, calls the partnership \u201can excellent example of an employer developing the skills they need for the future in their employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program was custom-made for Raytheon based on their needs, she says.\u00a0 When the initial Test B Technician Program was a success, Raytheon decided to expand the program and create the Test A Technician option.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Raytheon has contracted with Northern Essex for other employee training, including math courses, according to Ronaldson.<\/p>\n

Employers interested in learning more about corporate training offered by Northern Essex are invited to contact Ronaldson at kronaldson@necc.mass.edu<\/a> or 978 556-3066.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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