Goodwin U Manufacturing Centers in Hartford
Each of Goodwin U Manufacturing Centers will provide Hartford residents a hands-on chance to learn introductory manufacturing skills. They will be located in the city’s north and south end neighborhoods and be equipped with desks, computers, white boards and tables, in addition to some manufacturing equipment, officials said.
Mayor Luke Bronin and Goodwin University President Mark Scheinberg announced the partnership that will lead to the opening of two new community manufacturing training centers in Hartford, CT. State Sen. John Fonfara, who helped secure state funding, said the two sites will provide opportunities to city residents who might not otherwise find skilled, well-paid manufacturing jobs.
“They don’t have relationships. They’re not connected. They don’t have an uncle in management of a company that employs a lot of people,” he said in an interview. “I feel that having something right down the end of your street or in your neighborhood is as close as you’ll get to having a relationship.”
Each site will accommodate between 15 and 18 students and are being funded with a $1 million state grant, officials said. Goodwin University will offer introductory manufacturing-related classes to students and Hartford residents. Some areas of training will include CNC machining and quality inspections, along with related skill sets like blueprint reading, measuring tools, shop math and computer-aided manufacturing and design, Goodwin officials said.
“There’s a huge number of jobs available in advanced manufacturing, and there are some great training programs out there already, but what makes this new partnership so important is that it will bring that training opportunity right into our neighborhoods,” Bronin said.
Connecticut’s three defense contractors — jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft and Electric Boat, which manufactures submarines for the U.S. Navy — and thousands of small manufacturers in the supply chain, are always in the hunt for workers. Retiring baby boomers need to be replaced and significant increases in Pentagon spending authorized by Congress are driving up demand for manufacturing workers.
The business community, higher education and elected officials are considering many strategies to fill manufacturing jobs. Advanced manufacturing education programs have been established at community colleges and technical schools, businesses are promoting manufacturing at high schools and community colleges and trade shows are organized to draw in the next manufacturing workers.
The state Department of Labor reported 6,397 manufacturing job postings in December, down from 6,717 in November. Goodwin U Manufacturing Centers. https://www.techedmagazine.com/in-the-news/local-news-by-state/
Source: Hartford, Goodwin Univ. to open community manufacturing centers | Hartford Business Journal