Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on April 7.
New Haven, CT – April 7th, 2022 – The New Haven region’s manufacturing companies have joined together to launch the South-Central Connecticut Manufacturing Industry Partnership. The South-Central Region’s focus is manufacturing because of the density of small-to-medium-sized organizations in this region of Connecticut. Over 25 senior manufacturing executives met on March 24, 2021, to discuss the issues facing their industry in this Regional Sector Partnership and have continuously met to address the industry priorities. Regional Sector Partnerships are industry led collaboratives established by the Governor’s Workforce Council to mitigate issues in several key sectors around the State.
This effort is led by the industry, with co-chairs including: Chris Dimou, President & CEO of Roto Frank of America; Chris Ulbrich, Chief Executive Officer of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc.; Marcia LaFemina, President at PennGlobe; and Asi Carmeli, Director of Human Resources at Hobson and Motzer, Inc. Conveners of the partnership include the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Middlesex Community College, and Workforce Alliance.
"This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to address holistically the challenges manufacturers are facing in Connecticut. Especially when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, making manufacturing jobs more desirable and change the perception, manufacturers should pair their strategies with a makeover of the employer brand,” said Chris Dimou, President & CEO of Roto Frank of America, Inc, who has been actively involved in the partnership.
With over 25 manufacturing leaders actively engaged in the process, three areas of focus for the industry were identified as building a sustainable pipeline of talent, promoting the manufacturing industry, and addressing cost competitiveness. Industry action teams are currently working together to address the key areas.
The Talent Action Team is focused on creating a talent pipeline, through understanding the demand needed by the industry and creating a pathway to communicate with educational providers. The group administered a demand planning survey, providing insight into the most in-demand occupations across partnership companies. It was clear from participating company responses that the most needed position is for machine operators at 436 jobs needed over the next two years. The second closest in demand position are machinists at 44 people needed. The next steps will include improving the alignment of educational/training/vocational programs to address the skills gaps and needs of local manufacturers.
The Promoting Manufacturing Action Team, in collaboration with ManufactureCT, is working to promote manufacturing as a career path to students and parents, and as a desirable location for companies and skilled labor. The action team’s priorities include promoting careers in manufacturing to students, promoting the South-Central Connecticut Supply Chain Base, and over time, coordinating with the state to attract new companies to Connecticut. The team prepared a master list of high school programs to review, an overview of demographic data on community college students in manufacturing programs, and an initial YouTube library of manufacturing career videos. Moving forward, the partnership is in the process of developing a holistic approach to promoting manufacturing careers which will address: (1) key audience, (2) key message, and (3) delivery of message. Plans to coordinate marketing of the industry with the state are underway and include Connecticut Manufacturers' Collaborative (CMC), the Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF), and other Regional Sector Partnerships. To begin promoting careers in manufacturing to students, the team identified high schools in the region from which more than 25% of students do not attend a four-year, post-secondary college. Industry members are also working with educational partners to promote manufacturing careers and have met with superintendents to find ways manufacturing can be introduced to students and parents. The CT State Community College offers over 50 programs in engineering, industrial technology, and manufacturing, and over 8,000 students are enrolled in these programs during the year. The team is in the process of identifying manufacturing organizations interested in holding tours and visiting schools for manufacturing awareness.
The Competitive Cost Topography Action Team focuses on defining and addressing the cost-related issues that are an obstacle to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in Connecticut. These issues include but are not limited to energy, healthcare, taxes, transportation, and infrastructure. An initial prioritization of potential transportation solutions includes: a shared van program that uses existing rideshare systems, high-speed train expansion, and shuttle service from train stations. The Team is also working with the Connecticut Department of Transportation on improving connectivity to manufacturing facilities around the region through employer mapping and other strategies.
In addition to the work being done by the Partnership, the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 4th Annual Manufacturing Career Fair, presented by Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals. The fair takes place on Wednesday, May 18th, from 12:30pm to 4:30pm at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre located at 95 South Turnpike Road in Wallingford. Registration for the event is available at quinncham.com under Programs & Events. For information about purchasing a booth, contact Mike Anderson at mike@quinncham.com or call 203-269-9891.
About the South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership
The South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership is an industry led group formed from the Governor’s Workforce Council that follows the NextGen Regional Sector Partnerships model. This industry led initiative, in partnership with the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Middlesex Community College, and Workforce Alliance, helps to bring awareness to the resources and workforce available in Connecticut for manufacturing companies. The Partnership is focused on three components to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, promote the manufacturing industry, and address cost competitiveness issues. The group is partnering across the region to make this initiative successful including partnerships with ManufactureCT and regional universities and colleges.
Manufacturers seeking to join the South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership should contact Anne Benowitz at abenowitz@gnhcc.com.
About the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
The Greater New Haven Chamber, whose mission is to provide value through resources and services to its partner companies and to lead regional economic growth through bold and effective advocacy, serves 15 municipalities, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge. Established in 1794, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce is one of the three oldest institutions of its kind in the United States.
Original source can be found here.
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