Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/881000
98 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL • OCTOBER 2, 2017 Talent pipeline key to manufacturing's growth Bob Leduc President, Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney will need to fill thousands of jobs over the next decade as its workforce ages into retirement. How is the company preparing for this? Pratt & Whitney is proud to be an engine of the U.S. and Connecticut economy, and an example of manufacturing leadership. We have hired more than 7,000 people worldwide in the last 18 months, and will hire 18,000 more people through 2026, to support innovative programs like the Geared Turbofan and the F135 engine for the Joint Strike Fighter. We are upgrading our facilities with the latest technology, and will open our new engineering building here in East Hartford this fall. The key factor is talent. We are creating a talent pipeline through academic partnerships we've been establishing where we have operations, including here in Connecticut with schools like Asnuntuck Community College, CCSU, Goodwin College and UConn. These must continue to evolve as we deploy digital solutions to the manufacturing process. State-supported apprenticeship programs are also important, not only to fulfill our skills needs, but those of our hundreds of suppliers who are vitally important to our success. What's the biggest economic challenge facing Pratt & Whitney over the next 10 years? The level of investment required to bring innovative technologies to market is significant. In the case of our Geared Turbofan family of engines we have spent over $10 billion developing the engine and will continue to make investments as the program evolves. That investment actually began some 22 years ago through a NASA aeronautics sponsored program. We need to continue to have adequate funding from NASA to continue to innovate. From 2000-2002, the average NASA aeronautics budget was approximately $1.2 billion per year, nearly twice what it is today ($650 millon). The Chinese government spends six times that amount and the European Union 2.5 times more. We need to have strong government partnership to compete economically long term, not only from an economic perspective but for global competitiveness long term. "The level of investment required to bring innovative technologies to market is significant." Q/A THE FUTURE FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT RAY LAMOUREUX MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR 860-561-3420 X2117 RLAMOUREUX@TAUBMAN.COM ADVERTISING & ACTIVATIONS WESTFARMS ACTIVATIONS AND INTEGRATED ADVERTISING PACKAGES ALLOW YOU TO SHOWCASE YOUR BRANDS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS. BRANDED MEDIA LOUNGES CUSTOMIZED SEATING AREA CUSTOM INSTALLATIONS VEHICLE PLACEMENT BRANDED SPONSORSHIP DESK AT CENTER COURT PRODUCT SAMPLING AND DEMOS HOLIDAY SPONSORSHIPS SPECIAL EVENTS INTERACTIVE VIDEO WALL HIGH IMPACT SIGNAGE CONNECT YOUR BRAND WITH OVER 16 MILLION WESTFARMS SHOPPERS