Two free, grant-funded programs designed to train individuals for high-demand jobs will be available through NECC beginning in May.

Two, free, grant-funded educational programs designed to train unemployed and under-employed individuals in high-demand manufacturing positions, will be offered through Northern Essex Community College’s Center for Corporate and Community Education beginning in May.

Individuals who have graduated from high school or have a high school equivalency, are between the ages of 17 and 29 and lack the education, skills, or experience necessary to obtain a middle or high-skilled job, are eligible for either program. Participants must be able to pass eighth grade math and reading.

Both programs are funded by a federal TechHire grant to provide workforce training in.

The Quality Training Program teaches the concepts and skills needed to become a quality assurance or quality control associate. It is a six-week, 120-hour program that will run May 15 through June 22, Mondays through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NECC’s Riverwalk, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence.

A total of 13 students will be accepted into the quality program. This program will be offered five more times over the next few years.

Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared to sit for an American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification exam. They will be trained to work as an improvement associate, internal auditor, or document control specialist quality inspector.

The Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Machining Program will provide both classroom and hands-on experience. The 11-week, 404-hour program is divided into a foundational skills training and technical training. The classroom training will begin May 30 and run through June 23rd, meeting 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Riverwalk. From June 26 through August 11, students will receive technical training at either Whittier Regional Vocational High School in Haverhill or Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“These programs are ideal for individuals who have barriers to training whether they lack the money, the education, or the technical skills to secure a job or advance in the job they have,” said Kathy Routhier, TechHire grant coordinator.

A total of 24 students will be accepted into the CNC Program.

In addition to be able to sit the certification tests, CNC students will participate in career readiness sessions including resume writing, interviewing skills, industry tours, and a job fair.

“Advanced manufacturing is one of the cornerstones of the Merrimack Valley economy,” said George Moriarty, NECC’s executive director of workforce development. “We’re excited about preparing more local residents for jobs in these fields.”

Information sessions for both the quality and CNC programs will be offered as follows: CNC: Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. at Whittier Regional Technical High School, 115 Amesbury Line Road, Haverhill, or Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. at Greater Lawrence Technical School, 57 River Rd, Andover, MA.

Quality: Thursday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. at Valley Works Career Center, 255 Essex St, Lawrence.

For additional information or to make reservations for any of these sessions, contact Routhier, at krouthier@necc.mass.edu, or 978-659-1217.

Individuals interested in the program who want to know if they are eligible, should contact ValleyWorks Career Center at 255 Essex St., Lawrence by calling 978-722-7000 to schedule an assessment appointment.