Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1294813
22 STUFF • 2 0 2 0 | STUFFMadeInCT.com "The biggest change has been with computeriza- tion," Tuttle said. "These kids are using some type of technology – whether it's phones, tablets – whatever it is, in their daily lives. It makes the transition to manufacturing that much smoother. And it has opened a door to have even more females enter the world of manufacturing." Ron Angelo, CEO of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, understands a lot of the historical view on manufacturing has focused on dirty, dangerous jobs. But the manufacturing world has changed. There's opportunity to use virtual reality, to build helicopters or submarines, state-of-the-art watches or world-class knives, all right in Connecticut. Companies in the state have worked on products that ended up in space and landed on Mars. "Before you talked about manufacturing – it was stodgy, dirty work," Angelo said. "Now, there's a focus on robotics, on automation, on programming. The stuff these manufacturers are working on has ended up on the Mars Rover, has searched the ocean floor and has been a part of a new aircraft." Virtual reality and military submarines Innovation and technology has also been a major focus to enhance manufacturing skills companies are looking to build on – specifically in welding or paint- ing. East Hartford manufacturer VR Sim has taken that to the next level, creating a training tool based in virtual reality. Matthew Wallace, CEO of the company, considers 7% Rise in the level of manufacturing employment in Hartford County over the last six years $118,498 Average annual salary of a nuclear engineer in Connecticut, the highest- paying engineering job in the state. $54,763 Average annual salary of a machinist in Hartford County VR Sim Headquarters: East Hartford Next technology product: SimSpray What it does: SimSpray is a cutting-edge, customizable, virtual reality spray painting and coating training system. General Dynamics Electric Boat Headquarters: Groton Next technology product: Columbia Class Submarine Military legacy: Electric Boat has built most of the Navy's nuclear submarines, including designing nine of 11 unique U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Cost of the submarine: $6 billion Timex Headquarters: Middlebury Next technology product: Metropolitan Collection What it does: Timex design with smart watch capabilities, which sells for $179 Sikorsky Aircraft Headquarters: Stratford Next technology product: Future vertical lift aircraft What it does: This next generation of helicopters is meant to replace the Sikorsky Blackhawk fleet Electric Boat has been a builder of military submarines for more than 100 years. 12.8 million Number of current U.S. manufacturing employees, the nation's largest manufacturing workforce since 2008. $79,676 Average annual salary of a production line supervisor in New Haven County P H O T O | C O U RT E S Y O F G E N E R A L D Y N A M I C S E L E C T R I C B O AT