On Thursday, November 20, Middlesex Community College held a graduation ceremony for the Pathmaker program. Helping to build job training opportunities for in-demand careers within Massachusetts, MCC’s program assists in filling gaps in the life sciences workforce through funding by the Mass Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Pathmaker Initiative and in partnership with Insulet Corporation and MassHire Lowell Career Center.
“The hands-on portions of this course have given me the confidence to approach mechanical problems with a degree of professionalism,” said Joseph Calles, an MCC Pathmaker student. “The breadth of topics covered gave me an appreciation for all the knowledge and skill that goes into manufacturing. The training has provided me with the industry-recognized skills I need to return to the skilled workforce.”
Thirteen students completed the most recent program, including Calles. The other graduates include Patrick Bagenda, Sunny Bhatia, Kenneth Ferguson, De’Andre Hardy, Jeremy Hean, Butch Heng, Tom Lemire, Serklu Moo, Hillary Perez, Luis Santiago, Bunnaro Shorn and Todd Spooner.
“The practical application of skills, combined with comprehensive instruction in safety and industrial practices, had made me confident in pursuing my career goals within the medical device manufacturing industry,” Lemire said. “I highly recommend the program to anyone looking to expand their knowledge and effectively prepare for a career in this exciting growing field.”
This is MCC’s fourth cohort to complete the program since partnering with MLSC. Students took classes in the new robotics lab on the Bedford campus, which debuted in Fall 2025.
"Our partnerships with Middlesex Community College and Insulet continue to showcase how investments in hands-on training programs can open doors for students across the Commonwealth," said Jeanne LeClair, Chief Business Officer at MLSC. "Insulet has been an exemplary corporate partner in this effort and we are thrilled to see their relationship with MCC continue to grow even beyond this program.”
During the Fall 2025 graduation ceremony, students received a certificate and heard from guest speakers. This includes lead instructor for the program Jennifer Stephens and Director of Manufacturing Operations at Insulet Corporation Melissa Matthews.
“This has been a great partnership for us to build to help get more people that we can employ and help us keep growing and meeting the needs of our customers with diabetes,” Matthews said in her address to the graduates. “Congratulations to all the students on the eight weeks of work. We’re very proud and congratulate you on taking this step to get more skills in your tool box and open some more doors.”
After graduating, students may be eligible to interview for positions at Insulet, visit a local advanced manufacturing facility, and network with hiring managers and program alumni. Upon completion, students receive their Certified Manufacturing Associate credentials through Tooling U and OSHA-10 certification.
MCC’s program also provides students with professional development and career training. This includes access to career counseling, resume review, interview preparation, tutoring, and student support services. Students are also connected to career resources from MassHire Lowell.
The goal of the program is to prepare Mass. job seekers for life sciences careers with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment and industry-relevant curriculum. Over eight weeks, MCC offers trainings in Advanced Manufacturing with Robotics and Automation.
Students receive 120 hours of in-person learning and 30 hours of remote learning with Tooling U. Sessions cover the most current industry topics, such as lean manufacturing, industrial electricity, robotics and mechatronics.
“Thank you to our graduates for their determination and hard work, and our partners MLSC, Insulet and MassHire Lowell for making this opportunity possible,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Workforce Development. “With their collaboration, MCC’s Pathmaker program can help change the lives of the individuals who come to the college seeking a new career path. The combination of hands-on experience in our beautiful robotics lab; comprehensive, industry-driven curriculum led by expert instructors; and access to resources and support at Middlesex and within the community ensure our graduates gain steady employment and are well-prepared to strengthen the local workforce.”
The next session will run from Monday, February 2 to Thursday, March 26 in MCC’s robotics lab in Bedford. Each session takes places from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Learn more about MCC's Pathmaker program or email Katy Gentile.