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www.HartfordBusiness.com • July 13, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 13 Quality Construction Builds Repeat Customers www.borghesibuilding.com © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Mozzicato Retail, Rocky Hill, CT | 2014 | Renovation — 6,000 sq. ft. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. Mozzicato Bakery/Retail, Plainville, CT 2010 | 4,700 sq. ft. Farmington Bank, Plainville, CT 2010 | 2,700 sq. ft. further," said Jewell, who added his company has also taken advantage of the Incumbent Worker Training and voucher programs. MIF-supported apprenticeship programs are another critical factor in training a new generation of work- ers, said Jason Howey, president and CEO of New Britain medical-device maker OKAY Industries. OKAY, which employs about 300 workers in Connecticut, regularly hires apprentices through MIF-supported programs, and currently has four on staff, Howey said. Without subsidies, it would cost the company about $150,000 over four years to train an ap- prentice, Howey said, making it a costly and risky endeavor. During a time of finan- cial strain, it becomes more difficult for com- panies to shell out extra money for training, yet that doesn't change the manufactur- ing industry's workforce develop- ment needs, Howey said. "COVID will end, so you can't give up on the training aspect," Howey said. "The problem is becoming more and more difficult because so many people are retiring." Chris Nowell, vice president of op- erations at Berlin medical-implant manufacturer TOMZ Corp. also pointed to state-subsidized training programs as important to growing the industry. "I think a lot of those programs that are geared toward continuing educa- tion are key," Nowell said. "It's impor- tant to keep the funding for those types of programs to bring in new people." Lawmaker's view At the legislative level, lawmak- ers still view the manufacturing industry, including key MIF-funded programs, as a priority, said state Rep. Caroline Simmons, a Stamford Democrat who co-chairs the state legislature's Manufacturing Caucus. Simmons said the voucher and training programs are "critical" to workforce development efforts. But with the state staring down the barrel of a $4-billion deficit over the next two years, keeping them afloat will require effort on the part of all stakeholders. "I still think that supporting our manufacturing industry needs to be a top priority, particularly as we help our economy recover," Simmons said. "I think that there's definitely room to continue to collaborate with the private sector. … Fiscal consid- erations are always a factor, but especially now." Jason Howey, President and CEO, OKAY Industries WE HELP INJURED WORKERS that's our job. Gaylord is a health system focused on medical rehabilitation. • Dedicated Workers' Compensation team • Telehealth options for both medical and therapy services • 4 convenient locations • Hospital, Outpatient Services, and Physical Therapy – 3 levels of care gaylord.org Think Possible Cheshire | Cromwell | North Haven | Wallingford