Continuing Studies Partners with P&G/Gillette

Shown at the graduate are, top row from left, John Dion, technical training manager at P&G/Gillette; Pauline Carroll, executive director of Academic Services/Enrollment Management and Administration in Continuing Studies; Prof. Robert Tuholski, chair of UMass Lowell’s Engineering Technology Department; Joanne Talty; Maggie Eustace, human resources at P&G/Gillette. Bottom row, from left, are John Lambert, plant manager at P&G/Gillette; Jacqueline Moloney; and Cathy Kendrick.

Leading the regional economy through innovation and education is a fundamental pillar of UMass Lowell’s mission. And that mission is returning tangible results along the shores of Boston’s waterfront through a partnership with a major corporation to offer educational programs designed especially for its employees.

In partnership with Procter & Gamble/Gillette, the University’s Division of Continuing Studies is transforming the work force at the company’s South Boston plant through a series of Engineering Technology certificate programs customized for P&G/Gillette.

In September, the first round of employees to participate completed a two-year program in Manufacturing Engineering Technology that was offered entirely on-site at the facility.
It’s one of the many certificate programs being offered at the plant, which company leaders say is designed to build a highly skilled technical talent base by tapping its existing workforce and partnering with UMass Lowell.

“This partnership is an excellent example of how UMass Lowell’s Continuing Studies unit is meeting the needs of business and industry,” says Jacqueline Moloney, executive vice chancellor.

“When you have a company like P&G/Gillette interested in investing in its workforce by providing training for its employees, UMass Lowell serves as an important resource with our flexible, customizable programs,” says Cathy Kendrick, the University’s executive director of Distance Market Development and Corporate Outreach.

P&G/Gillette’s partnership with Continuing Studies dates back to 1997 and has grown significantly over the years as the division has tailored its portfolio of services to meet the needs of business in the competitive global economy.

To facilitate the programs at P&G/Gillette, every element of the University’s education model is replicated at the company in a personalized format – from registration to advising, from instruction to graduation. Registration and advising sessions have been held as late as midnight to ensure employees on the second and third shifts at the facility have full access to the University’s services.

“Our goal is to meet the needs of our on-site (students) by limiting any barriers they may encounter,” says Joanne Talty, Continuing Studies’ corporate project manager for the P&G/Gillette program.

For many of the employees, the convenience and one-on-one support is critical to advancing their skills and opportunities.

“Having the program offered here made it easier because I live on the South Shore. I could stay here and take the classes,” says recent graduate Karen Campitelli, an employee at P&G/Gillette for 20 years who will advance from machine operator to mechanic as a result of earning her Mechanical Engineering Technology certificate. Campitelli has already enrolled in UMass Lowell’s Plastics Engineering Technology Certificate program, also taught entirely at the company.

Twenty-four employees at P&G/Gillette graduated on Sept. 17 from the Manufacturing Technology program. Nearly 100 more are expected to graduate in phases over the next one to two years as they advance through the other on-site certificate programs.

The P&G/Gillette South Boston facility manufactures the company’s razor products, including Mach 3 and Venus, and is highly respected throughout the manufacturing and plastics industries for its high-tech operational capabilities at the plant.

- Christine_Gillette

Shown with some of the graduates at P&G/Gillette are, back row, second from right, Jacqueline Moloney; back row, second from left, Cathy Kendrick; back row, far right, Prof. Robert Tuholski, chair of UMass Lowell’s Engineering Technology Department; middle row, third from right, Joanne Talty; and middle row, second from right, Executive Director of Academic Services/Enrollment Management and Administration Pauline Carroll.