Hartford Business Journal

HartfordBusiness.com | March 8, 2021 | Hartford Business Journal 11 reflects a broad acknowledgement that the industry has a significant number of available jobs that must be filled by people with various education levels — ranging from high school graduates to Ph.D.s. In his first full legislative session this year, Cooper said he lobbied Lamont to replenish the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, which provides grants for worker training programs and equipment upgrades, among other initiatives. In his $46 billion budget proposal, Lamont has earmarked $20 million for the fund over two years. He's also proposed other funding to support manufacturing training programs in middle and high schools, trade schools and colleges. "I've been really encouraged by the support that manufacturing is getting at the legislative branch," Cooper said. "This awareness and prioritization of manufacturing, I think, is great." That awareness is largely the product of a yearslong "hearts and minds" campaign among stakeholders in Connecticut's manufacturing sector, Cooper said. His job was created after nine of Connecticut's largest manufacturing trade groups joined forces to form the Connecticut Manufacturers' Collaborative (CMC). The group, which was founded in 2019, lobbied for a cabinet-level position dedicated wholly to the manufacturing industry and also gave a stronger, more unified voice to the sector. CBIA's Brown was a chief architect of CMC, and said the group's creation has provided lawmakers with better guidance for what moves could benefit the industry as a whole. He also notes the legislature's Manufacturing Caucus has given the industry a louder voice in the General Assembly since it was founded in 2012. He added that Lamont has heeded advice from CMC, and credited the governor for following through on early promises to work on manufacturing initiatives. "He certainly took to heart the incredible need to deal with the workforce crisis [in manufacturing]," Brown said of Lamont. "He's really invested himself and his team in these challenges and it's going to pay great dividends for Connecticut." CEO perspective Howard Reiter, president of Milford-based fastener manufacturer Rome Fastener Corp., recently testified in favor of the bill that would provide pass-through entities a tax break for hiring an apprentice. He said that would incentivize his family-owned company to bring on and potentially hire more trainees. "We want to train as many apprentices in the manufacturing arts [as possible]," Reiter said. Meanwhile Brian Montanari, president of Glastonbury aeroparts manufacturer HABCO Industries LLC — which employs about 100 workers — said he favors policies that provide incentives for manufacturing companies to grow in Connecticut. He's also tracking emerging issues like cannabis in the workplace and vaccine protection for employers. He said he is more confident than ever that priorities for the manufacturing industry are also priorities for state government. "Although we still have a lot of room to grow and improve, this is the most excited I have been about manufacturing in Connecticut," Montanari said. "This is a result of the administration listening to the combined voice of [the industry]." 2,249 PPP applications approved & funded $237 $498 Million approved & funded $6.8 Million largest loan amount approved smallest loan amount approved $108,470 average loan amount approved 18,726 jobs positively impacted TM IonBank.com • 203.729.4442 Member FDIC Caring For Our Community We're a proud partner of local businesses 150 years running! " "We were very pleased to be approved through Ion Bank because they took the time and effort to make sure we were going to be okay." Christine Blardo Co-Owner, MFR Property Services "They got us approved and funded in record time. The team at Ion Bank has just done everything possible and went above and beyond...as they always do." James McCowan Owner, J&M Automotive " "We were able to get funded for our Paycheck Protection Program loan because of the hard work Ion did for us making sure we got across the finish line. Thank you." Chris Zane Owner, Zane's Cycles " As of 2.11.21 Workforce development key focus for lawmakers A significant number of bills related to Connecticut's manufacturing industry are currently under consideration in the General Assembly's Commerce Committee. In particular, there's a big focus on workforce development, including Senate Bill 344, which would implement recommendations of the Governor's Workforce Council. Some of the recommendations geared toward manufacturers include: • Improving awareness and attractiveness of manufacturing careers among middle- and high-school students in the state. • Expanding the capacity of technical and comprehensive high schools to provide manufacturing training. • Reducing the skills deficit of employees entering the manufacturing workforce through expansion of pipeline programs and pre- apprenticeship programs. • Engaging college engineering students through internships with in-state manufacturers to improve their retention rate upon graduation. • Replenishing the Manufacturing Innovation Fund's incumbent worker training and apprentice programs. Kevin Kelly Caroline Simmons PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED Chief Manufacturing Officer Colin Cooper (center holding red folder) visits Plantsville-based Sign Pro Inc. in Feb. 2020.

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