MANUFACTURING 2000 (M2K) offers entry level training to qualified applicants at no charge. The program supplies area manufacturers with employees to replace their aging workforce and strengthen southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy. M2K a program of New Century Careers, is made possible through the efforts of area manufacturers, educators, foundations and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Every program applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years-old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Demonstrate successful performance on an aptitude test
• Submit a completed application, including high school transcripts and two (2) reference letters

The Application Process
In the spring and fall of each year, New Century Careers recruits qualified applicants for training in welding and machining.

Interested candidates may attend an information seminar that explains the details of each program, and of the necessary tests required for acceptance.

Each semester, between 15 and 20 students are accepted at each of the M2K training locations in the Greater Pittsburgh region. There are typically between 3 and 6 sites per semester.

Training
Machining training students learn the basics of operating:

• Pedal Grinders
• Saws
• Drill Press
• Surface Grinders
• Lathes
• Vertical Milling Machines
• CNC Machines

Machining students also learn blueprint reading, applied math theory, layout and benchwork.

The classroom sessions, hands-on experience and special sessions focused on professional development and resume writing total 550 hours over a 22-week period.

Welding students learn the basics of:

• Blueprint Reading
• Welding Fundamentals (Stick)
• Shield Metal Arc Welding
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
• Flux Core Arc Welding

The classroom sessions, hands-on experience and special sessions focused on welding certification, professional development and resume writing total 525 hours over a 22-week period.

Placement
M2K’s ultimate goal is to place trained students in full-time positions with western Pennsylvania companies. As they near graduation, students attend a company expo to meet with potential employers and demonstrate their new skills.

Following graduation, New Century Careers maintains a job hotline with current openings at regional manufacturing companies. In addition, the Student Services and Placement Coordinator works closely with each student to find appropriate employment. Since 1997, New Century Careers has graduated more than 600 machinists and welders, and has placed about 70 percent of those graduates with western Pennsylvania companies.

Partner Companies
Since 1997, more than 160 southwestern Pennsylvania manufacturers of all sizes have partnered with New Century Careers to find high-quality employees and improve their skills.

Partner companies have opportunities throughout the year to participate in events that connect them with their peers and enable top, senior and middle management to gain insights to emerging market trends.

Being a partner company means understanding workforce development issues in the Pittsburgh region and committing to being a part of the effort to improve the quality of skilled workers in southwestern Pennsylvania. Companies that offer employment to New Century Careers graduates pay a small fee after the employee completes 90 days on the job. This fee, however, is only a fraction of what the employer would have had to pay in training that individual.

For more information about M2K training programs,
call 1-800-822-9337 or click here to apply!