Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com March 27, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 3 Vo-tech instructor shortage is manufacturing's next big test By Gregory Seay gseay@HartfordBusiness.com I t has taken some time, but Connecticut manufacturers say Millennials are waking up to the career opportunities that await them in a sector eager to harness their skills. But now a new dilemma has emerged that is slowing manufacturers' workforce build- up: A rising shortage of vocational-technical instructors to train the next generation of manufacturing talent fast enough to replace those aging out of the workforce. The industry experience required, some say, to train newcomers as machinists is too long and confining to build the corps of manufacturing-technology instructors, par- ticularly at the Connecticut Technical High School System. Replenishing its labor ranks is especially important right now to Connecticut manufactur- ers, particularly defense-related producers like Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat, which could benefit mightily from President Donald Trump's proposal for a huge spike in defense spending. State House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin) says he has recently traveled the state, talking to manufacturers, and there is a common refrain among them. Not enough instructors means either smaller class sizes, or none at all, further lengthening the time needed to train workers. "Connecticut is a national leader in advanced manufacturing — particularly for our national defense — and our technical high school system is a key part of the pipe- line for these growing industries that are critical to our economy," Aresimowicz said. To that end, the state's manufacturers, with the support of the technical-high schools and community colleges, are pushing legislative bills that would trim the minimum experience level required to become a certified vo-tech instructor. Senate Bill 950 also would widen the pool of training venues beyond just one in New Britain, to include online courses. The current requirement that vocational- technical instructors have a minimum of eight years experience, as an apprentice or in other hands-on manufacturing, to qualify to teach is too burdensome and limits the instructor pool, Aresimowicz said. Skilled manufacturing talent with eight years of experience is in high demand — and well paid — in an industry facing the larg- est turnover in its ranks in the coming years, due to retirements. Trimming the minimum experience requirement to five years, manu- facturers and others say, would widen the instructor talent pool. "What we're really looking for is someone with the passion to teach,'' said Charles Reese, co-chair of the legislative affairs committee of the New Haven Manufacturers Association, a leading industry lobby. "You want to set up a situation where they can [teach], without tak- ing too much of a [salary] haircut.'' On top of the eight-year requirement, instructors must also complete what some say is the equivalent of a master's degree to earn a teaching certification. Moreover, only one state college, Central Connecticut State University, is sanctioned to provide that cer- tification, officials say. Reform proponents would like instructor prospects to be able to earn credits via online courses. Aresimowicz says he believes the mea- sure will pass because so many in the indus- try think it's needed. By 2020, some 50,000 manufacturing workers in this state will reach age 65, state labor data shows, increas- ing pressure to train new workers quickly. Not everyone, however, supports the bill. Paul Angelucci, vice president of the state's union representing 1,200 vo-tech instructors — the State Vocational Federal of Teachers — submitted written testimony opposing S.B. 950, insisting it waters down qualifications 2017 F O R M E R LY C T B U S I N E S S E X P O SUMMIT EXHIBITOR BENEFITS Build your brand and gain professional exposure Generate new business opportunities Gain access to over 3,000 key decision makers and C level executives ( B A S E D O N 5 Y E A R AV E R A G E ) C T B U S I N E S S S U M M I T. CO M NOW IN ITS 16TH YEAR! Reserve your booth now and join over 150 exhibitors at the largest B2B event in New England. Contact SUMMITBOOTHS@HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM or 860.236.9998 x122 to reserve your booth Continued Manufacturing not the only CT sector lacking workers Labor shortages in Connecticut's man- ufacturing sector have been well publi- cized in recent years. But some observers say employment opportunities in health care and hands- on trades like electrical and carpentry, even agricultural jobs, are also precari- ously slow in filling openings because the pool of qualified talent is too small and too slow to replenish. The aging of the state's healthcare workforce is posing staffing challenges at a time when Connecticut's aging popula- tion is increasingly reliant on in- and out- patient care, said Andrea Comer, execu- tive director of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association's Education and Workforce Partnership. Based on state labor department data, she said four in 10 of Connecticut's health- care workforce are between the ages of 45 and 64, and one in five is 55 to 64 years old. Meantime, from 2009 to 2013, Connect- icut underwent seven hospital consolida- tions, which reduced healthcare staffing counts, Comer said. One solution, according to Rocky Hill business consultancy CONNSTEP Inc., is more and varied workplace training. Also, business leaders today "have to be much more strategic in their thinking about the people they are recruiting and the skill- sets," said CONNSTEP President/CEO Bonnie Del Conte. "You need to really be looking at a mix of internal training, along with outside training,'' Del Conte said. CONNSTEP, which runs worker-certi- fication programs twice a year, has added a new session this spring. – Gregory Seay P H O T O | L I Z C O N N E L L Y (Left photo) State House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz (left) recently toured AMCO Precision Tool of Berlin to discuss their workforce needs. AMCO specializes in manufacturing intricate aerospace and commercial parts. (Right photo) Aresimowicz (right) talks with staff at Gibbs Wire & Steel in Southington. P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D

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