Northampton Community College recently received a grant from Truist Foundation for $110,000 that will help the college establish a Precision Machining and Tool Design Center to directly address the Lehigh Valley’s critical need for skilled machinists, creating accessible pathways to high-quality, family-sustaining careers.

Building upon the success of NCC’s noncredit introduction to machining program, which boasts a 75% completion rate and a 98% employment placement rate, the college will launch a new, credit-bearing machining program. The program will offer stackable credentials, including a specialized diploma, certificate, and an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree.

The grant will allow NCC to provide a steady and increasing pipeline of skilled machinists to meet the Lehigh Valley’s workforce demands. The Tool Design Center will empower diverse populations, including high school students ready to graduate, frontline works and under/unemployed adults, equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to transition into middle-skill jobs that offer economic stability and expanded opportunities.

Precision machining delivers high-accuracy components with minimal errors and waste, promoting efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safer production. Its impact is felt across diverse industries, including automotive, health care, plastics and telecommunications. The Lehigh Valley’s robust manufacturing sector, contributing $8.1 billion to the regional GDP and supporting 37,000 jobs, faces a projected demand for CNC tool operators, machine setters, operators, tenders, and tool and die makers, all offering competitive salaries. The new center will prepare workers to capitalize on this crucial segment of the regional economy.

“At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we’re proud to support Northampton Community College’s new Precision Machining and Tool Design Center,” said Truist Market President Art Dorn. “This center will open doors for students and adults across the Lehigh Valley region by creating pathways to quality careers, strengthening the local workforce and empowering people to achieve economic stability.”

The program will incorporate industry-recognized certifications from organizations such as the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), North American Die Casting Association (NADCA), National Institute of Metalworking Skills (Machining & Die) (NIMS), National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), and Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA), ensuring graduates are highly qualified and competitive in the job market, and strengthening the regional economy.