Manufacturers in state feel skill shortage

A lack of education and skills is causing concern for the state’s manufacturing industry. According to a survey by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, 92 percent of respondents said they will have to replace retiring workers to keep up with business demands over the next five years, but the pool of applicants are lacking technical and professional skills, as well as basic math and reading skills. Respondents said the top five most difficult positions to fill are CNC programmers, CNC machinists, tool and die makers, machinists and engineers. To ease the crunch, many manufacturing companies around the state have turned to in-house skill-building sessions.