Machinist E-Team gets federal funds

LYNN – The E-Team, a Lynn-based training program for machinists looking to work in the aerospace, medical instrumentation and manufacturing industries, has been awarded federal funds to expand classes so that college-level mathematics are included.The funding also marks the start of a new partnership between North Shore Community College and the organizations that have supported the 12-year-old E-Team – the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO), IUE/CWA Local 201, and the Boston Tooling and Machining Association.U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney, a Salem Democrat and longtime advocate of government-supported workforce training programs, was key to obtaining the $286,896 appropriation, which relates directly to introducing higher-level mathematics and analytical skills.”The federal funds will support the E-Team Machinist Training Program in its training of local residents for high paying jobs in the local manufacturing industry,” said Tony Dunn, the E-Team program director.Since its inception, the E-Team has trained more than 280 men and women to work in aerospace, manufacturing, and the burgeoning medical instrumentation industry.Along with ECCO, the IUE/CWA Local 201 provided leadership during the program’s founding stages and remains a committed partner today. The 38-week program, which enrolls students ranging in age from 18 to 62, teaches math, communications, and occupational skills needed to work in industry. The current E-Team class, which began in September 2007, will graduate in early June. Some of the 32 students of E-Team class No. 11 are already working in their chosen fields.”Employers are eagerly awaiting graduation to hire more of them,” said Dunn, adding that the academic enhancements “are critical to the program’s marketability to individuals and companies alike and to sustaining the program well into the future.”The North Shore Workforce Investment Board will help identify additional companies to join in the program’s advisory board and to hire additional students. Once the funding is received, $100,000 will be allocated to the college to provide the higher-level classes.”Congressman Tierney has been a friend of the E-Team since he first took office,” said Dunn. “He has been working to obtain government support for manufacturing his entire career and gives his time to speak at our graduations. We hope this funding will enable us to expand the educational opportunity we offer students to include an entryway into higher education – something that all our grads should pursue.”Potential students interested in the program, and companies seeking highly-trained employees can find out more about the program by calling Dunn at 617-699-1071 or going online to the E-Team Web site at www.eteamhome.net.