Local biotech firms, advanced manufacturers like Assa Abloy and Yale New Haven Health’s supply chain are all looking for skilled workers – and the New Haven school system is acting to help meet the demand.
Lawmakers and school officials announced a new program on Monday that will partner schools, higher education and industry to fill entry-level skilled jobs.
“Who says that manufacturing is not alive and well in the state of Connecticut?” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro addressing a news conference at Hillhouse High School on Monday. “It’s alive and well right here.”
Funded by $2 million in federal dollars secured by DeLauro, the new program allows students interested in manufacturing to earn an industry-recognized, two-year associate’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology from Gateway Community College in addition to their high school diploma.
Over four years, the program aims to give up to 55 students a year the skills to take jobs in the state’s manufacturing sector upon graduation.
Local manufacturers desperately need the help, said ManufactureCT Executive Director Jamison Scott. More than 79% of companies surveyed nationally in recent months said that an inability to attract and keep a high-quality workforce was a major business challenge, he said.
As Hillhouse students assembled robots in an adjacent space during the news conference, Scott said that Connecticut’s manufacturing sector remains vibrant, with the state’s 5,500 companies attracting millions in new investments in recent years. Supply-chain and workforce issues, however, threaten to retard future growth.
“We in the manufacturing sector are ready to partner with the New Haven Public Schools to help these students explore these opportunities with hands-on training — as we’re seeing here today — to provide these students with many rewarding careers in manufacturing,” Scott said.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
