Machinist training program bolsters college curriculum

Machinists-in-training could be on their way to North Shore Community College in Lynn.

The E-Team Machinist Training Program will use $289,000 in federal money to develop college-level courses. Credits earned would be applied to an associate's degree at the college. The program will work with the school and the North Shore Workforce Investment Board in Salem to develop a curriculum.

"We're going to take our program to a higher level," said Tony Dunn, the program director. "We've always had an academic component to our program. Now we'll have the benefit of someone sitting down with us to tailor our classes so that our [students] can earn college credit."

Math, blueprint reading, shop theory, and business communication are among the courses in the current certificate program, which runs from September to June. It is taught by eight instructors at Lynn Vocational Technical High School and St. Stephen's Memorial Episcopal Church in Lynn. This year's class has 32 students. The program is free, funded by the state, which this year gave $108,000, Dunn said.

US Representative John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat, announced the federal grant, Dunn said.

"It's been a longstanding goal to have this program, but we could never afford it," he said.

"This will really allow us to help our students advance," Dunn said. "A lot of them have been away from school for a long time. But our feeling is, 'If you're working hard, you're not failing.' We get them help, with a tutor, to get them the help they need."

The E-Team was developed 11 years ago by the Essex County Community Organization, a nonprofit based in Lynn; IUE Local 201, the largest labor union at General Electric Co. in Lynn; and The Boston Tooling and Machining Association, a trade group. The goal is to boost a labor force where the average age of machinists is 55, Dunn said.

Since starting, the program has graduated 280 men and women, ranging from recent high school graduates to a 61-year-old stockbroker who wanted to start a new career. Starting pay is more than $16 per hour, Dunn said. Most have found jobs in manufacturing, including GE in Lynn, which has hired about 40 E-Team graduates, he said.

"The jobs are there. We just have to make sure people are trained," Dunn said.

Three women leaders honored

The Zonta Club of Malden on Thursday will hold its annual "Women Making A Difference" dinner, honoring three community leaders.

Deborah L. Cronin-Waelde of Melrose is a registered nurse who works as the program coordinator of the Bone Joint Center for Hallmark Health System. Kathryn M. Fallon is the first woman city solicitor in Malden. Judith E. Bucci is a Malden city councilor, representing Ward 8, and a former School Committee member.

The Malden Zonta Club is part of Zonta International, an organization that promotes the advancement of women around the world. It is one of five Zonta clubs in Massachusetts. Two others are in Chelsea and Medford. Joanne Lambert, president of the Malden club, will emcee Thursday's dinner, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Anthony's of Malden on Canal Street.

Datebook

The North Shore Labor Council next Sunday will hold its 10th annual Education Conference, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Breed Middle School, 90 O'Callaghan Way in Lynn. Workshops include "Our Economic Agenda," and "Immigrant Workers and The Labor Movement." Spanish translation and child care services will be provided. The cost is $10. To register, call 781-595-2538.

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com.

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