BY RAY BROUSSEAU
Those of us who work in the defense industry have our marching orders: We must ensure our men and women in uniform receive the best equipment and support available to carry out their missions and return home safely.
It’s an effort we at BAE Systems do not take lightly, and it’s one that begins here at home, specifically, in our factories.
As vice president of Operations at BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector, I can tell you that the need for a strong talent pipeline is critical to our success. In this age of rapid technological advancement, we must outpace our adversaries. At the forefront of maintaining this technological edge is microelectronics – a crucial component in defense electronic systems ranging from advanced weaponry to secure communications. To meet our goals, we must bolster the teams dedicated to advanced manufacturing in our factories.
We have collaborated with learning institutions around the country to train people who can work with us, including Nashua Community College (NCC) locally. This September, NCC named the wing that houses the Microelectronics Boot Camp after our company. It’s a moment of pride, as we invest in the workers needed for innovation and security.
Our microwave production facilities at BAE Systems are housed largely within our state-of-the-art Microelectronics Center (MEC) in Nashua, NH. This is where we produce radar absorbing materials, that protect military aircraft. The efficacy of nearly all the products our global defense technology company produces –– hinge on the design, development and production of microelectronics, the tiny components that allow them to work.
This year, the MEC will mark a significant milestone – its 40 th anniversary. The building opened in 1984. At that time, it was considered one of the most advanced, high-tech labs in the Northeast.
The 64,500-square-foot, single story building initially housed 150 employees tasked with the design, development and fabrication of a wide variety of integrated circuits and semiconductors for the company’s advanced electronic systems.
In 2008, the MEC was accredited by the Defense Microelectronics Agency (DMEA) as a trusted supplier of microelectronics for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other government customers. Last December, the U.S. Department of Commerce designated $35 million to the MEC and its training programs, the first funding announcement from the CHIPS and Science Act which aims to strengthen American manufacturing supply chains and national security. The production of microelectronics requires not only engineers, but people trained in advanced manufacturing. Building this highly niche workforce to keep our production line in motion was a challenge for years, so our recruitment team got creative.
In 2016, we collaborated with NCC to create the Microelectronics Boot Camp. In 10 weeks, the boot camp trains people – many straight out of high school or transitioning from other fields of work – to learn the skills needed to work in advanced manufacturing. The intensive program teaches students military standards and assembly techniques for radio frequency and microwave electronic assemblies. Upon successful completion of the course, students are guaranteed an interview at BAE Systems.
In eight years, the boot camp has successfully trained 340 people from across New England in advanced manufacturing, and 179 of them have come to work for BAE Systems. Our company is successfully building a talent pipeline to fill critical roles within our business.
As defense companies face the complex realities of the 21st century, the need for a highly skilled workforce in microelectronics is only expected to rise. Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about the Microelectronics Boot Camp? If so, reach out to NCC for more information on this program that will accelerate your career, and ultimately the safety of our nation.
Ray Brousseau is the vice president of operations at BAE Systems, a global defense, aerospace and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, including more than 6,000 in New Hampshire, where it has offices in Nashua, Manchester, Merrimack and Hudson.
