Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Training Program for Veterans

The Community Colleges of New Jersey, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development announce a new training program to help qualified New Jersey Veterans get back to work.

The pilot program will initially be launched at Middlesex County College in February.  The 12 week program will prepare NJ Veterans for entry into careers at New Jersey fabricated metal product manufacturing companies.  The training was developed by experienced community college faculty and companies representing the NJBIA Manufacturing Network, which is comprised of over 3,000 NJ manufacturers.

Successful graduates of this program will receive a College Certificate of Competency and sit for the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Certification Exam. 

Interested veterans must contact Ms. Veronica Jones, NJ State Veterans Representative by telephone (732-418-3359) or e-mail a copy of your resume to Ms. Veronica Jones (veronica.jones@dol.state.nj.us) for a complete list of admission requirements, a program description and prescreening. 

Candidates prescreened by the LWD will be invited to an information session with the employers, college and LWD later in January.

Program Admission Criteria include:

• Screening by participating employers, college and funding source for entrance to the program

• 18 years of age or older
• U.S. citizen or green card holder as required by federal contracting requirements, including but not limited to, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
• High school diploma or GED
• Demonstrated ability in mathematics (Accuplacer Testing)
• Arithmetic: 67 cut score or higher and
• Algebra: 61 cut score and higher
• Demonstrated ability in English (Accuplacer Testing)
• Essay Level 3
• Reading Comprehension Level 3 (cut score of 66 or higher)
• Reliable transportation to and from campus, site visits and employment location
• Able to physically perform functions of the occupation
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to kneel, stoop, bend, or reach
• Ability to complete repetitive motions with use of hand, wrist, arms, and fingers
• Motor coordination as exhibited by dexterity, the ability to grip objects, and eye-hand-foot coordination
• Ability to monitor machine sounds to identify and diagnose changes in order to take appropriate action.
• Able to concentrate visual and mental attention for use in:
• Studying drawings, plan and layout work
• Diagnosing problems, reading dials, gauges, blueprints
• Reading precision measuring instruments used to inspect parts and make corrections to tools
• Able to tolerate working conditions which include:
• High noise levels from operating machines
• Physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts
• Breathing fumes, dust and mist
• Skin exposure to oils and cutting fluid
• Availability to work overtime and shift work when requested
• Able to pass drug and alcohol screening and pass physical exam     
• Previous experience in mechanical/ industrial environment preferred

(Reasonable accommodations will be explored and provided to training program applicants, where possible, to assist qualified individuals with disabilities in meeting the above requirements.)