Nashua Community College Develops New Courses for Quick Job Training

Many jobs these days require a college degree, but many people these days simply don't have the time or resources that obtaining a college degree requires. It's a paradox that's hard to overcome, but some schools are working hard to reach solutions. For some school that solution lies developing affordable programs geared toward preparing students for new careers with as little time lost as possible.

Nashua Community College is one of those schools. According to an article in the Nashua Telegraph, the school is currently offering a machine operators certificate program -- an small, eight-week, non-credit certificate for non-traditional students. The program was designed by two of the college's professors, both as a response to local companies searching for qualified help and as a way to help the local community.

So far, it is proving a success. The perks of the program -- spaced out to not interfere with work schedules, and broken down into a three-step payment plans to soften the $425 blow -- attracted a diverse group of five students, all seeking skilled trade tech school training without the hassle of traditional college. As one student put it, "I have no time to take something like a social studies class or sit through an elective... I would elect not to waste my time."

So far, the only limitation to the program seems to be the economy itself -- despite a top-notch education, some companies in Nashua are not yet hiring. Still, NCC is not giving up. According to the article Regina Kelleher, associate VP of academic affairs at the college, stated that the college "is working with New Hampshire Employment Security to construct programs to best suit the needs of the community," giving the best opportunities for jobs possible. As for the students currently enrolled, those opportunities are looking brighter all the time.