Roto Helps Launch South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership to Address Industry Issues
The New Haven region’s manufacturing companies have joined together to launch the South-Central Connecticut Manufacturing Industry Partnership. The South-Central Region’s focus is manufacturing because of the density of small-to-medium-sized organizations in this region of Connecticut. Over 25 senior manufacturing executives met in March 2021 to discuss the issues facing their industry in this Regional Sector Partnership and have continuously met to address the industry priorities. Regional Sector Partnerships are industry-led collaboratives established by the Governor’s Workforce Council to mitigate issues in several key sectors around the state.
This effort is led by the industry, with co-chairs including: Chris Dimou, president & CEO of Roto Frank of America; Chris Ulbrich, CEO of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals Inc.; Marcia LaFemina, president at PennGlobe; and Asi Carmeli, director of human resources at Hobson and Motzer Inc. Conveners of the partnership include the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Middlesex Community College and Workforce Alliance.
"This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to address holistically the challenges manufacturers are facing in Connecticut. Especially when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, making manufacturing jobs more desirable and change the perception, manufacturers should pair their strategies with a makeover of the employer brand,” says Dimou.
Over 25 manufacturing leaders are actively engaged in the process. They identified three areas of focus for the industry: building a sustainable pipeline of talent, promoting the manufacturing industry and addressing cost competitiveness. Industry action teams are currently working together to address the key areas.
The Talent Action Team is focused on creating a talent pipeline, through understanding the demand needed by the industry and creating a pathway to communicate with educational providers. The group administered a demand planning survey, providing insight into the most in-demand occupations across partnership companies. Company responses revealed the most needed position is for machine operators, followed by machinists. Next steps will include improving the alignment of educational/training/vocational programs to address the skills gaps and needs of local manufacturers.
The Promoting Manufacturing Action Team, in collaboration with ManufactureCT, is working to promote manufacturing as a career path to students and parents, and as a desirable location for companies and skilled labor. The action team’s priorities include promoting careers in manufacturing to students, promoting the South-Central Connecticut Supply Chain Base, and over time, coordinating with the state to attract new companies to Connecticut. Moving forward, the partnership is in the process of developing a holistic approach to promoting manufacturing careers which will address: (1) key audience, (2) key message and (3) delivery of message.
The Competitive Cost Topography Action Team focuses on defining and addressing the cost-related issues that are an obstacle to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in Connecticut. Issues include energy, healthcare, taxes, transportation and infrastructure. An initial prioritization of potential transportation solutions includes: a shared van program that uses existing rideshare systems, high-speed train expansion and shuttle service from train stations. The Team is also working with the Connecticut Department of Transportation on improving connectivity to manufacturing facilities around the region through employer mapping and other strategies.
