Connecticut newspaper echo - Jobs without applicants
Plenty of jobs....but, where are the qualified applicants?
A call for help from Connecticut, published in the Hartford Courant.
"Help Wanted" sign, hanging in the window of America's job market
By Mark E. Scheinberg
Large manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Electric Boat, ramp up production to fill orders for jet engines, helicopters and submarines, but their suppliers — hundreds of smaller and mid-sized Connecticut companies — will need more workers as well. The state, businesses and schools will have to coordinate their efforts to prepare workers for the available jobs.
Among those taking advantage of the manufacturing opportunities is Rob Samul of Bristol, who has been working in manufacturing for a few years but wanted to learn more. So he decided to pursue an associate degree in computer-numerical control machining.
“That’s what’s so beautiful about a manufacturing career,” he says. “The learning never ends.”
Manufacturing offers career paths for anyone, from people who completed a six-month certificate program to those with two-year, four-year and even graduate degrees. Rob’s career path is just one example of how Connecticut workers are expanding their opportunities in the field of manufacturing.
Manufacturing is almost one-eighth of the state’s economy. Considering what’s at stake, this crisis needs an all-hands-on-deck, statewide response. Here are three suggestions.
First, we need more and deeper partnerships between manufacturers and colleges — not just in developing the curriculums the colleges use, but actively helping train the next generation of skilled workers. At Goodwin College, we’ve developed good relationships with businesses to give students exposure to the practical application of the skills they are learning. For example, Cheshire based EDAC Technologies Corp.’s, Next Gen Program, gives students from Goodwin and other colleges shop-floor work experience to augment their classroom work. Tomz Corp. of Berlin has partnered with Goodwin to include Swiss machining training with both equipment and scholarship opportunities, and RGBSI of Glastonbury is partnering with Goodwin on robotics training.
Second, we need to keep repeating the message that training as a computer-numerical control machinist, quality inspector or supply chain and logistics technician (which can take as little four to six months) can be a great start to a lifelong career. In particular, we need to drive that point home to parents and high school guidance counselors.
Third, we need to focus more resources on this crisis. If someone like Rob misses out on a manufacturing career because he or she can’t afford the training, the state has wasted an opportunity to support this vital sector. For that reason, the state should dedicate 25 percent of its Roberta B. Willis Scholarship fund to train people for key industries facing critical staff shortages.
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| Opinion "echo"~ re-blogged letters and opinions |
Connecticut’s manufacturing sector is facing a crisis — a shortage of skilled workers.
In fact, the Connecticut Business & Industry Association reports manufacturers will need to hire more than 13,000 workers by the end of this year alone.
Large manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Electric Boat, ramp up production to fill orders for jet engines, helicopters and submarines, but their suppliers — hundreds of smaller and mid-sized Connecticut companies — will need more workers as well. The state, businesses and schools will have to coordinate their efforts to prepare workers for the available jobs.
Among those taking advantage of the manufacturing opportunities is Rob Samul of Bristol, who has been working in manufacturing for a few years but wanted to learn more. So he decided to pursue an associate degree in computer-numerical control machining.
“That’s what’s so beautiful about a manufacturing career,” he says. “The learning never ends.”
Manufacturing offers career paths for anyone, from people who completed a six-month certificate program to those with two-year, four-year and even graduate degrees. Rob’s career path is just one example of how Connecticut workers are expanding their opportunities in the field of manufacturing.
Manufacturing is almost one-eighth of the state’s economy. Considering what’s at stake, this crisis needs an all-hands-on-deck, statewide response. Here are three suggestions.
First, we need more and deeper partnerships between manufacturers and colleges — not just in developing the curriculums the colleges use, but actively helping train the next generation of skilled workers. At Goodwin College, we’ve developed good relationships with businesses to give students exposure to the practical application of the skills they are learning. For example, Cheshire based EDAC Technologies Corp.’s, Next Gen Program, gives students from Goodwin and other colleges shop-floor work experience to augment their classroom work. Tomz Corp. of Berlin has partnered with Goodwin to include Swiss machining training with both equipment and scholarship opportunities, and RGBSI of Glastonbury is partnering with Goodwin on robotics training.
Second, we need to keep repeating the message that training as a computer-numerical control machinist, quality inspector or supply chain and logistics technician (which can take as little four to six months) can be a great start to a lifelong career. In particular, we need to drive that point home to parents and high school guidance counselors.
Third, we need to focus more resources on this crisis. If someone like Rob misses out on a manufacturing career because he or she can’t afford the training, the state has wasted an opportunity to support this vital sector. For that reason, the state should dedicate 25 percent of its Roberta B. Willis Scholarship fund to train people for key industries facing critical staff shortages.
As a matter of fact, the scholarship, which provides need-based and merit-based grants for people seeking higher education, should also continue to be available to part-time students as many are unable to attend college full time.
About 15 years ago, nursing was experiencing a similar crisis. Hospitals, nursing colleges, and the state came together to ease the shortage.
Goodwin was part of that solution. We introduced our registered-nurse training in 2003. Today’s high-need field is manufacturing, and Goodwin, as well as other public and private colleges around the state, are listening to the needs of manufacturers and expanding our training programs.
Now we need to make everyone aware of the once-in-a-generation career opportunities manufacturing offers, continuously align our programs with manufacturers’ needs, and then ensure everyone who wants the necessary training can get it.
Mark E. Scheinberg is president of Goodwin College in East Hartford.
About 15 years ago, nursing was experiencing a similar crisis. Hospitals, nursing colleges, and the state came together to ease the shortage.
Goodwin was part of that solution. We introduced our registered-nurse training in 2003. Today’s high-need field is manufacturing, and Goodwin, as well as other public and private colleges around the state, are listening to the needs of manufacturers and expanding our training programs.
Now we need to make everyone aware of the once-in-a-generation career opportunities manufacturing offers, continuously align our programs with manufacturers’ needs, and then ensure everyone who wants the necessary training can get it.
Mark E. Scheinberg is president of Goodwin College in East Hartford.
Labels: East Hartford Connecticut, Goodwin College, Mark E. Scheinberg, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky Aircarft
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