George Moriarty, executive director of workforce development and corporate relations, NECC and Elizabeth Delgado Executive Assistant / Human Resources, Mainstream Global

A local technology business, Mainstream Global of Lawrence, will benefit from a new grant program designed to help community colleges respond to employer requests for workforce training.

Northern Essex Community College has received a $27,218 grant from the Massachusetts Rapid Response Fund to deliver computer training and Spanish language classes to Mainstream Global employees.

Founded in 2000, Mainstream Global specializes in reusing and repurposing technology devices along with secure data erasure for organizations including computer OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), contract manufacturers, and service companies around the globe. Mainstream Global has over 100 employees worldwide including 40 office and warehouse personnel in Lawrence. In the last 15 months, Mainstream Global has opened four international processing sites in South America.  Employees at all sites process over 50,000 computer assets each month.

Luis Yepez, chief operating officer and founder explains the company’s philosophy, “We began with the belief that a small company can make a difference. Over the course of the past 13 years our goals have been validated by some of the largest organizations in the world as well as our local community, in which we strive to support and see flourish. Our global headquarters and first processing center were built in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Since our inception, we have been committed to hiring from within our local community and we take pride in knowing we are improving the quality of life and offering opportunities to those we employ.”

Four warehouse employees will receive training on Microsoft Office Suite, 12 administrative support staff will learn Advanced Excel, and two warehouse supervisors and two administrative support staff will acquire Spanish language training to better communicate with the local and international offices. Training will begin in June and run through September.

“Mainstream Global wanted to enhance the efficiency of its staff, using available technology, and improve communication between supervisors and their Spanish speaking employees,” said George Moriarty, NECC’s executive director of workforce development and corporate relations. “Northern Essex stepped in to offer them the training to achieve those goals.”

Northern Essex was one of 10 community colleges in Massachusetts to receive one of the Rapid Response Fund Grants, which were recently announced by Higher Education Commissioner Richard Freeland.

The Rapid Response Incentive Program was funded in the FY13 budget to support efforts at community colleges to respond quickly to the workforce development needs of employers.

For more information on workforce training, contact Moriarty at 978 659-1224 or gmoriarty@necc.mass.edu.