F a l l 2 0 1 9 • S T U F F 2 5
S T U F F M a d e I n C T . c o m
FactOId
53,871
240
Number of
manufacturing
workers in
Hartford County
in 2017, the highest
level since 2012
Number of
electronics
engineers in New
Haven County, the
county's highest-
paying engineering
job with a $120,482
average annual
salary
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: Connecticut Department of Labor
Allen has been
working at the
school since 1995,
when he left a job in
the industry to help
the school update its
programs to be in
step with employers'
needs. Today, he said,
the school regularly
updates its software,
in consultation with
local companies,
ensuring that
students have the
specific skills that
are in demand.
"When I came in,
the kids that were
coming out were a
couple of years behind in technology," he said. "At this point, if anything, we might be
six months ahead."
With the time he's been at the school, Allen now has a whole network of alumni spread
out across Connecticut's manufacturing industries who can help new graduates.
"It's kind of created an environment where past graduates are looking out for present
graduates," he said. "It's very rewarding. I think what's more rewarding is we're really
making a difference in training young adults."
Thomas Allen, 53
POSITION: Mechanical
Design & Engineering
Technology Department head
SCHOOL: Ella T. Grasso
Technical High School, Groton
RESIDENCE: Gales Ferry
CRUISING WITH THE TOP
DOWN: Allen drives a 1958
convertible Beetle that's still
in good shape because it had
been in storage for 40 years
