About

What is TRANSFORM?

TRANSFORM is a post-undergraduate Certificate program in Advanced Manufacturing at MassBay Community College. The year-long program includes 2 semesters of certificate courses in Manufacturing Technology or Manufacturing Innovation in addition to a 4-6 month paid Internship with an industry partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TRANSFORM for Me?
Why Advanced Manufacturing?
More Information on the program?
What possible career tracks does this create?
What does a job in Advanced Manufacturing entail?
What is the expected salary in Massachusetts compared to other states?
What kind of skills are necessary to go into this industry?
How is the industry growing?
What is the cost of the program?
What is the Curriculum?
Can students still work at other jobs while taking classes?

Is TRANSFORM for Me?

• Are you interested in career track in advanced manufacturing, technology and innovation?
• Do you have a Bachelor’s degree but are looking for a new career which utilizes the skills you have acquired and also provides you with advanced training and lucrative employment opportunities?
• Are you looking to meet these goals in a year without substantially adding to your current student debt?

Why Advanced Manufacturing?

• Did you know Manufacturing employs 50% more workers than most other industries in the state – nearly three times as many as in information services, and nearly six times as many as in all of the arts, entertainment, and recreation firms?
• Employees in Advanced Manufacturing careers earn $65,333 per year on average
• There are an increasing number of job opportunities in manufacturing technology and innovation industries including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, electronics, aerospace, defense, and textiles.

More Information on the program?

• Certificate in Manufacturing Technology or Manufacturing Innovation
• 2 Semesters of Courses (25 Credits) at MassBay Community College (Sept-May)
• 4+ Month Manufacturing Internship (May-Aug)

What possible career tracks does this create?
Upon completion, participants will be ideally poised to fill a variety of current workplace needs including but not limited to:

• CAD/CAM
• Marketing & Sales
• Manufacturing Business Operations
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control

What does a job in Advanced Manufacturing entail?

• Products such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, apparel, electronics are always going to be in high demand. Advanced Manufacturers are responsible for finding ways to improve the technology in these factories in order to meet the demands. Employees perform jobs such as innovating the machinery, troubleshooting software, making the machines more sustainable or “green”, and overall making sure that the manufacturing process from start to finish runs smoothly for the product.

What is the expected salary in Massachusetts compared to other states?

• The national average salary for Advanced Manufacturers is $65,333 a year. Comparatively, the average salary for these employees in Massachusetts is more than $75,000!

What kind of skills are necessary to go into this industry?

• Advanced Manufacturing requires particular skills that will be learned in the program. Generally, this field includes spending a lot of time working with computers, software, and the mechanics of machinery. By the time you enter your experiential learning Internship, you will possess the correct skills.
• If you are interested in logic puzzles, taking apart or building electronics, and computers, then this may be the field for you!

How is the industry growing?

• As stated above, products are always in demand- and therefore so are the jobs in Advanced Manufacturing. This is a field that requires more skills than a two-year technical program can offer, but less than a standard, exclusive four-year degree. The skills necessary are so unique that is hard to find such ideal people to fit the job descriptions- therefore, it is difficult to fill these positions. Participants of TRANSFORM that have already completed their Bachelor’s degree and are ready to bring their previous experiences and skills to the new field are perfect candidates for these jobs.
• As of today, there are 7,140 establishments in this state, and manufacturing is the fifth leading employer in Massachusetts. The field also has fifty percent more employees than even banks and insurance companies combined!
• For more information about the demands of the advanced manufacturing field in Massachusetts and beyond, read the recent Manufacturing Reportcard at the MA High Tech Council.

What is the cost of the program?

• The cost is minimal for the output of opportunity you will receive. For the entire program, it is $4,350 for Massachusetts residents.

What is the Curriculum?

• There are two tracks in the program – Technology and Innovation. Based on which track you select, you will take specific courses to train you for that discipline. After six months, once those courses are completed, you will then be encouraged to participate in an experiential learning internship. For the full curriculum, please click here.

Can students still work at other jobs while taking classes?

• The program includes both in-person and online coursework. It is possible to maintain a traditional job (40 hours) while participating in the program.