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November 27, 2018

Building a manufacturing workforce from the ground up

Photo | Contributed Workers on the shop floor at Waterbury's Noujaim Tool Co.

As part of the never-ending quest to provide trained workers for Connecticut’s shrinking manufacturing sector, the Workforce Alliance has launched a new initiative: “Skill Up for Manufacturing.”

The free five-week training and job placement program is now open to high school graduates and Connecticut residents 18 or older who may be underemployed or unemployed. The idea is to replenish a long-shrinking manufacturing workforce pipeline and connect qualified candidates to thousands of unfilled employment opportunities.

Skill Up for Manufacturing is designed to channel people into entry-level manufacturing jobs by providing the fundamentals that employers need in just five weeks. The first training class begins Feb. 4 and ends March 8 at Gateway Community College. Accepted participants will attend classes six hours each weekday for the duration of the course.

In addition, individual job-search assistance is available during and after the training program. Manufacturing industry employers will have direct-hire opportunities, access to hiring incentives and would typically expect to continue training on the job.

Interested applicants can get started by applying online, completing a Manufacturing Skills Inventory Session at the American Job Centers in New Haven and Meriden, and creating or uploading a resume. Applicants who do not score sufficiently on the initial skills inventory of shop math, spatial reasoning and basic ruler reading will be invited to a refresher and will be allowed to retake the assessment.

Manufacturers participating in Skill Up for Manufacturing to date include Penn Globe, PTA Plastics, Wepco Plastics, Brooks & Whittle Packaging Solutions and the New Haven Manufacturers Association. Coursework was developed in coordination with participating manufacturers and includes basic trade knowledge, workplace skills and production readiness including shop math fundamentals and semi-precise/precise measurement.

The first Skill Up session is fully funded and can accept 20 students. Subsequent sessions are planned for 2019 in anticipation of continued funding availability. Support services available to participants while in classroom training include travel reimbursement, day-care assistance and required books, tools and clothing. Additionally, there is a cash stipend awarded to participants for successful completion of training benchmarks.

The application deadline for the first Skill Up for Manufacturing session is Dec. 7. Interested candidates may visit here  to learn more and to apply.

Skill Up for Manufacturing is a program of Workforce Alliance and is funded by U.S. Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act and Temporary Aid to Needy Families (CT’s Jobs First Employment Services).

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