Free Training Program Helps Shape the Future of North Shore Manufacturing

Ketmanaila da Silva Shaw enjoyed her job as a nanny, but she wanted more out of life. 

“I wanted a career that gave me stability, benefits, and the chance to keep learning,” she explained. 

The Advanced Manufacturing Training and Expansion Program (AMTEP) has trained Shaw and more than 700 other adults in computer numerical control (CNC) machining, welding, and electromechanical assembly, preparing them for new, in-demand jobs in the manufacturing industry.

Shaw began her AMTEP training at North Shore Community College (NSCC), which provides courses that helped her gain foundational knowledge, including improving her English language skills. She then completed her hands-on training at nearby Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School. 

“Today, I'm proud to say that I'm working at Harmonic Drive, a company that offers the benefits I once dreamed of and a career path where I can continue to grow,” she said. Harmonic Drive, based in Beverly, creates motion control products primarily for robotics and semiconductor manufacturing.

Ketmanaila da Silva Shaw,  an August 2025 AMTEP graduate, was hired by Harmonic Drive right after graduation.

AMTEP’s free, five-and-a-half-month program puts under- or unemployed adults on the path to a manufacturing career. With an 85% placement rate, employed graduates see a 15-20% increase in wages. This program creates a ripple effect that changes lives, families, and communities.

“AMTEP is all about three things: putting unemployed and underemployed people to work in meaningful career pathways, helping the local manufacturing industry thrive, and helping our communities build a better future. Workforce development is key to achieving these goals,” said Kate O’Malley, AMTEP program manager at MassHire North Shore Workforce Board.

In-Demand Manufacturing Careers on the North Shore

Manufacturing is a $60 billion dollar industry in Massachusetts, with more than 400 manufacturing companies on the North Shore alone. Employers are eager for fresh talent as older employees retire, but with fewer and fewer young people entering manufacturing, they’ve had difficulty filling jobs. 

This is where AMTEP comes in. 

"Manufacturing is a vital sector on the North Shore, from food manufacturing to highly advanced semiconductors. The AMTEP partnership is a shining example of bringing partners together to align education and industry needs: we work with industry partners to build entry level training up to associate's degrees in engineering, all aligned to the needs of manufacturers in our region," said Jennifer James Price, assistant vice president for strategic employer relations at NSCC.

Many students use AMTEP’s training as a launch point for careers in fields like quality control, engineering, and software or to pursue a certificate in advanced manufacturing technology or computer aided design.

Community Partnerships Build a Stronger Workforce

Consisting of two sister programs—one in Danvers and one in Lynn—AMTEP is a powerful partnership among organizations that span the North Shore: NSCC, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Essex County Community Foundation, MassHire, E-Team Machinist Training Program, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, and Gloucester High School.

“There are so many players here, singularly focused. Everyone knows that this program is a benefit to each person who participates,” said Martin Trice, AMTEP program manager at NSCC.

AMTEP regularly meets with local manufacturing employers to identify their specific needs and gain insight on industry trends, putting AMTEP in a better position to build highly employable graduates and help them find job placement. As a result of this networking, many AMTEP students receive job offers before they graduate from the program.

Juan Ticona, a July 2024 AMTEP graduate, works at Zaiput Flow Technologies as a manufacturing tech. 

The Selection Process 

NSCC plays an important role in developing the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow. Through the College, AMTEP team members recruit and select students for the Danvers program, and the College provides courses that prepare students to enter the shop. 

The College’s marketing efforts and weekly information sessions spread the word and draw in a pool of applicants. The selection process is informed by the manufacturing industry itself.

“We've asked employers what they need to see in successful students, and they consistently say grit: they need to have motivation to stick with it when things get hard," said Trice.

AMTEP accepts students who show traits like initiative and persistence. A series of foundational courses through NSCC set them up for success in the shop. Through these courses, students develop study and math skills, and gain an introduction to the industry through site visits. 

Foundation courses play a key role: many AMTEP students are pursuing a mid-life career change, and it’s been years since they sat in a classroom. For example, the math course refreshes and builds upon the math skills they will use on the job every day, and English language learners receive language instruction to help them in both the classroom and the workplace.

After completing their foundation courses through the College, AMTEP students are ready to enter the shop at Essex Tech and, in a few short months, their careers. 

A Champion for the Community

AMTEP is shaping the future of North Shore and shaping the lives of graduates and their families. In recognition of the program's community impact, The North Shore Community College Foundation will honor AMTEP at the  9th Annual Champions for NSCC Celebration on April 14, 2026. The Eastern Bank Foundation will present this award.