On-the-job training
By Olivia Hull | Lowell Sun
Nathalie In has lived in Lowell, unemployed, for four years. With five children and no technical work experience, In was at the end of her rope when she was invited to participate in Community Teamwork, Inc. training at Cristek Interconnects, Inc.
“I was crying all the time because of my situation,” In said. “Trying to teach my kids not to become like me.”
But the training has given her hope, she said, beaming. “It released my stress 50 percent. I told my daughter, ‘I’m not going to be on welfare forever.’ ”
In is one of 10 students who were awarded certificates yesterday morning for their participation in a nine-day soldering training program at Cristek Interconnects, Inc., which manufactures electronic connecting pieces for the biomedical, aerospace and military markets.
They supply the connectors to companies like Raytheon and Goodrich Industries.
An Anaheim, Calif.-based company, Cristek opened its Lowell facility in April 2010 to “access a ready workforce,” said Cristek CEO Cristi Cristich. Cristek employs 12 full-time workers, but hopes more contracts will allow for job growth.
“What I found in Lowell was that even though it’s a big city, the community is so much tighter (than Anaheim),” she said.
“There’s a lot more appreciation for small businesses here.”
So far, the company has invested $200,000 in refurbishing the old mill building on Lawrence Street, where it hopes to double the area they occupy.
The training was organized by Community Teamwork Inc., a nonprofit agency based in Lowell.
“We had a great time and it was real effective,” Cristich said. “Across the board, all the trainees were very open to what we had to throw at them.”
CTI also offered all 10 trainees a five-week Job Readiness program, where they were taught computer, financial and professional skills before starting at Cristek.
The training was intended to convince participants “that they can achieve anything they put their minds to,” said CTI Senior Career Adviser, Bobby Tugbiyele.
“And, most importantly, get them jobs.”
Through its Division of Workforce Development, CTI partners with businesses in high-growth industries to help their clients weather the hurting economy.
In the past, CTI has organized job training in health care, manufacturing, hospitality and food service.
John Monagle has been unemployed for more than two years after being laid off from his job at a machine shop in Lowell. After completing the training, he feels confident in his ability to get hired.
“I’m going for the gold,” he said. “I’m ready to put everything I’ve learned into a bucket and go bananas.”
Although Cristich isn’t hiring right now, she’s accepting applications from the individuals who participated in the training.
All 10 participants are now registered certified solderers and are eligible for hire in soldering positions. Solder is a metal alloy that is melted and used to join small electronic parts.
In a speech given to the graduates, Cristich congratulated them on “already being on the dance floor when opportunity showed up.”
A college-dropout herself, Cristich said every opportunity she’s had has come when she was “already on the dance floor.”
State Sen. Eileen Donoghue, who presented the diplomas alongside Cristich, said she was grateful to “get outside (the Statehouse) and see what we’re trying to work for every day.”
