F a l l 2 0 1 7 • S T U F F 1 3
Y O U N G FA C E S O F M A N U FA C T U R I N G
For years Connecticut's manufacturing industry struggled
through the recession and a shrinking global economy – a
struggle causing a generation to arch its eyebrows in both
suspicion and curiosity over the industry's stability. Today,
Connecticut's manufacturing companies are growing and it's
good news for Millennials who are paying attention.
Take it from Darnell Silvestre, an injection molding
technician who started his manufacturing career when he
moved to Connecticut some 10 years ago. Since then, he's
worked at Seitz where he enjoys working on diverse product
components for smoothie machines, medical devices,
computers and more.
"I knew nothing about manufacturing but an opportunity fell
into my lap. I was young and willing to learn so they (Seitz)
took a chance on me," Darnell said.
Finding good talent is like finding a diamond in the rough;
when companies find it, they hold on.
"I see it all the time," he said. "These engineers come in with
their degrees, and they don't even know how to work the
machines. That's a problem in this business. No one is trained
to work on the floor, and that's what the industry needs."
Darnell says having hard skills is vital and, more than once,
he's been offered higher-paying positions from his company's
competitors.
Darnell Silvestre
AGE: 30
TITLE: Injection Molding
Technician
COMPANY: Seitz LLC
LOCATION: Torrington
RESIDENCE: Winsted
EDUCATION: High School
Diploma
SALARY: $22 an hour
FUN
FACT
The company Darnell
works for actually
manufactures McDonald's
smoothie machines!
