Blumenthal, DeLauro, Murphy, Businesses Spotlight Federal Investment in CT Workforce and Competitiveness
(Hartford, CT) – Today, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined mangers, employees, and workforce development leaders to spotlight a $10 million federal investment in Connecticut’s advanced manufacturing workforce. Connecticut’s Workforce Alliance and Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board were awarded $4.97 million and $5 million, respectively, by the U.S. Department of Labor last week.
Blumenthal toured leading aerospace components manufacturer Pegasus in Middletown and Thomaston’s Ward Leonard Electric Company, a maker of custom electric motors for marine, military, and energy applications. Each company, in conjunction with local workforce development organizations, community colleges, and chambers will use these funds to train and hire workers in high-growth, highly competitive sectors.
“I hear constantly from businesses and manufacturers around the state that they have job openings but need people with the skills to fill them,” said Blumenthal. “These grants respond to the need for skill training vital to putting people in Connecticut back to work. Expanding access to on-the-job training, postsecondary, and adult education helps ensure that all workers can obtain skills and credentials required for well-paying jobs.”
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said, “In today’s difficult economic environment, it is critical that our workers have the skills they need to be successful. Just as importantly, our businesses need a skilled workforce to support and grow their operations. And yet, many of the small businesses I have visited across the 3rd District have told me that they are having difficulty finding workers with the skill sets they need. To remedy this skills gap, we must provide the practical training, skills development and education needed— and these grants will help to make that happen. Connecticut has a long history of manufacturing expertise, and companies such as Pegasus are continuing this tradition. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues, local businesses, educators, and our workers to ensure that we close the existing skills gap and strengthen Connecticut’s workforce.”
Congressman Chris Murphy remarked, "In town after town listening to manufacturers, one thing is clear: we have to be training our workforce for the high tech jobs of tomorrow. This investment is an incredibly important step to growing job training and continuing education programs in Connecticut and will help put more people in our state back to work."
“There is a mismatch between the skills of many of the people looking for work and the skills we require for precision manufacturing,” said Pegasus President Chris DiPentima. “This new program could help our employees as well as support the significant growth opportunities that we are experiencing by providing a qualified pipeline to backfill the retirement of the aging workforce in manufacturing.”
Michael Clute, President of Ward Leonard said, “We will apply this funding to programs designed to provide our employees with the additional skill sets required for our continuous improvement initiatives. These improvements will allow Ward Leonard to grow our business volume and continue moving manufacturing and engineering jobs into Connecticut.”
William Villano, Executive Director of the Workforce Alliance said, “There are experienced people on unemployment who would make ideal job candidates with the right skills training. We are targeting mid level technical trades including IT and engineering for precision manufacturers who have had to look offshore for employees with these skills.”
Cathy Awwad, Executive Director Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board said, “Were very excited about the opportunity to provide much-needed training dollars for both incumbent workers and long term unemployed.”
The Workforce Alliance, working jointly with the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, will provide on-the-the job training to 361 long-term unemployed workers for mid-level technical jobs across Connecticut's manufacturing industry, reimbursing employers for 50-75% of the employee’s wages during a training period averaging 16 weeks. During that time, participants are hired as full-time, regular employees. The Northwest Region Workforce Investment Board will also implement training programs for the unemployed in the growing health care and health IT fields. Both grants will provide career paths for long-term unemployed workers, incumbent workers, women, and veterans. Partners in these projects will also work with students to provide additional employment services such as general job counseling, job search techniques, and help in connecting with the businesses and manufacturers participating in training programs.
Blumenthal introduced the Pathways Back to Work Act (S. 1861), a bill to provide immediate relief to unemployed individuals, and workforce training programs to those seeking to learn new skills. Additionally, Blumenthal joined his colleague Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in introducing the Community College Innovation Act (CCIA) – a bill to improve and modernize community colleges, spurring job creation and giving workers the skills they need to find jobs.
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