Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1409819
"Our employees are the heart and soul of the product," said Heather J. Summerer, a spokes- person for Pra & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies subsidiary that makes aircra engines. Local leaders, meanwhile, are working to ensure a steady pipeline of employees equipped to embrace the future. Hartford's educators and colleges provide rich oppor- tunities to gain experience in research, development and production. Even before high school graduation, students can sample manufacturing programs and curriculum. "We are looking at our work- force and identifying young talent – as young as 16 – and exposing them to technology," Angelo said. The work is particularly import- ant given the anticipated wave of retirements among skilled work- ers in the Baby Boom generation. But it also is vital to the changing nature of manufacturing. Where earlier generations of workers were machine opera- tors, companies now need highly skilled professionals to program and maintain equipment – including robots and cobots, which work alongside human operators to complete tasks. Hartford is poised to succeed in this new world. Its industries have long competed on quality, service and speed, rather than the lowest cost, said Chris DiPentima, presi- dent and CEO of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. The proof is in the numbers. Hartford aerospace manufac- turers, for example, produce $7.5 billion in aircra engine exports alone, with products going to France, Germany and Canada, among other destinations, accord- ing to MetroHartford Alliance. "Innovation has been in Connecticut's blood for well over 100 years," he said. SAM GREENBANK, a manufacturing applications engineer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, uses 3D print technology from Ingersoll Machine Tools. JEFF CRANDALL, an additive technology manager at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, meets with members of the Aerospace Components Manufacturers Progressive Manufacturing Team. HARTFORD LIVE WORK PLAY "Our employees are the heart and soul of the product." —Heather J. Summerer, Pra & Whitney SUBMITTED SUBMITTED 21 HBJ HARTFORD LIVE WORK PLAY