Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • October 8, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 11 FOCUS PDS has been meeting the needs of the construction industry since 1965. Our dedicated team of design and construction professionals welcomes the challenge of serving its past and future customers on their most demanding projects. Liberty Bank | Hamden, Connecticut PDS Engineering & Construction served as Design Build General Contractor for this Liberty Bank facility. The project also included a second fl oor of apartment units and two other tenant spaces on the fi rst fl oor. The bank itself entails a teller area, offi ces, lobby, restrooms, break room, conference rooms, equipment rooms and an elevator. KEY FACTS Project Size: 7,300 Square Feet Date of Completion: 2014 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfi eld, CT 06002 (860) 242-8586 | Fax (860) 242-8587 www.pdsec.com DESIGN BUILDERS • GENERAL CONTRACTORS • CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS SPOTLIGHT ON: B PDS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. THINK • PLAN • BUILD to change jobs, give up promotions or take a pay cut to have flexibility in their work. In order to attract this tal- ent, manufacturers should reconsider paid-leave and scheduling policy. For example, Globe Manufacturing of Pittsfield, N.H., allows its first-shift employees to choose from start times between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Although around 80 percent still choose to be- gin the day at 6 a.m., they report satis- faction with the freedom of choice. Other companies are offering "shift-switching" options; if you have to attend your child's piano recital, for example, you have the option to swap shifts with another employee. Lastly, consider implementing flex- ible vacation times to allow employees to choose their leave. Update sourcing technology Consider pairing with a partner firm that can provide modernized re- cruitment technology and expertise. For example, many workers in the U.S. speak English as a second lan- guage. Some recruitment technologies offer multilingual career sites to ensure all information about the company and its jobs is understood correctly. A good partner will also help you consolidate your records and process; moving application materials to an online portal will help you keep track of strong candidates, easily search for records and even open new doors to improve the company's profit by facili- tating the collection of data supporting work opportunity tax credits (WOTC). Lastly, a technology partner will help you craft a social media strate- gy. More than 3 billion people around the world use social media each month, with nine in 10 of the users accessing preferred platforms via mobile devices. Work with experts to create mobile-friendly messaging as well as target your audience on social media in a low-cost manner. Joe Gianni is Bank of America's Connecticut market president. Eric Bauer is B of A's SVP and business banking market executive in CT and western Mass. 353 companies create or retain 548 jobs through the voucher program, according to a 2017 annual report. The Innovation Fund also supports programs to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce skills, such as the incumbent worker train- ing program, which provides match- ing grants up to $50,000 for employ- ers to train existing workers on new technology and practices. Other initiatives include the Young Manufacturers Academy summer camp for middle schoolers, an apprenticeship program, and an education and marketing campaign to dispel misconceptions about the industry, as well as programs to help companies convert to green energy or develop innovations in advanced composites, additive manufacturing and non-destructive technologies. CBIA support Eric Brown, vice president for manu- facturing policy and outreach with the Connecticut Business & Industry As- sociation, said he's heard positive feed- back about the fund from members, both anecdotally and through a recent survey conducted by the Connecticut Manufacturers' Collaborative, a new organization comprised of the state's major manufacturing groups. "Several of the (Innovation Fund) programs scored very well and got a lot of good comments — most specifically the voucher program, the incumbent worker training program and the apprenticeship program," he said. "We're certainly hopeful that the next administration will preserve that fund and keep it focused on helping manufacturers directly with the challenges that they face." While hurdles remain — a recent report card compiled by Ball State Uni- versity gave Connecticut a "C" grade for its manufacturing climate — Smith pointed to a resurgence of manufactur- ing jobs in the state as evidence the fund is accomplishing its mission. As of 2017, the program had created or retained 4,496 jobs and leveraged more than $99.2 million in private invest- ment, the annual report said. "After 25 years of decline in manufac- turing jobs, in the last two years, we've seen 4,000 to 5,000 new jobs a year. The OEMs are adding some of those jobs, but definitely not all of them," Smith said. Manufacturing Innovation Fund programs Voucher program: Provides up to $50,000 for the purchase of specialized equipment and expertise that will help improve operations, including market- ing, LEAN, compliance and other technical needs. Incumbent worker training program: Provides financial assistance for growing, innovative and technology-based manufacturing businesses to sup- port incumbent worker training on new technology. Apprenticeship program: Provides financial as- sistance to manufacturers that have a registered apprenticeship program. Young Manufacturers Academy: Offers free summer programs to promote a positive image of today's advanced manufacturing industry and the rewarding career opportunities it offers. START WITH YOUR PART … AND 'FINISH' WITH HAR-CONN At Har-Conn we apply engineered-type electroplated, electroless coatings, dry fi lm lubricants and high-temperature coatings used for corrosion resistance and chemical conversion coatings. We fi nish all parts to our customers' specifi cations/blueprints. We consistently meet committed lead-times and provide quality results for over 2,000 customers world wide. www.har-conn.com

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