CBIA/MCC Lean Manufacturing Program Helping Laid-Off Workers Find Jobs

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2009

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) partnered with Manchester Community College (MCC) to add lean manufacturing training and online simulation training to the college’s Precision Manufacturing Institute. The program helps laid-off workers learn new skills in high-demand jobs. Of the five students who recently completed the program, four have already secured manufacturing jobs, and one is continuing his education.

Richard Edwards of Windsor has been hired by Advanced Mold & Manufacturing in Manchester as a CNC operator. Thomas Morttey of Manchester is working at Forrest Machine Products in Rocky Hill, and Kyle Wolmer of Hampton and Mitchell Trotman of Hartford, are both employed at Turbocare in East Hartford.

The twenty-eight week program provides students not only with hands-on machining experience but also Oxygen Education, a web-delivered manufacturing training program that uses high-quality imagery and simulation to supplement the classroom curriculum.

“Training workers to manage complex machinery and computer controlled process flows is creating new challenges for employers across the industry,” says Nancy Castonguay, CBIA advanced manufacturing grant manager. “Even in today’s economy,” she says, “Manufacturers are having a difficult time finding employees with the experience and skills needed to fill certain manufacturing jobs. This program provides employees with the expertise necessary to help companies remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. It also helps get people back to work.”

“We’re proud of the achievements of our students,” said Janet Alampi, director of business and industry Services at MCC. “It takes incredible patience and skill to learn precision machining. To encourage student success, MCC has invested in state-of-the art facilities and is always working to improve the curriculum to better meet the needs of local manufacturers. We’re grateful for the support of CBIA in trying to achieve this goal.”

The online licenses were provided by a program funded by a U.S. Department of Labor High Growth Job Training Initiative, a competitive grant awarded to CBIA in 2006. Another class is currently underway at MCC, with 12 students expected to graduate in February.
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CBIA is the state’s largest business organization, with 10,000 members.

MCC offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities.