Ulbrich Joins Local Manufacturers in Launching the South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership (SCMIP)
Ulbrich is proud to announce that we've joined more than 25 manufacturing leaders around the New Haven region to launch the South-Central Connecticut Manufacturing Industry Partnership (SCMIP). Formed by the Governor's Workforce Council, SCMIP is an industry-led group that helps to bring awareness to the resources and workforce available in Connecticut for manufacturing companies.
This is an exciting opportunity for local manufacturers to work together in addressing key industry challenges, including building a sustainable pipeline of talent, promoting the manufacturing industry, and addressing cost competitiveness.
Our CEO Chris Ulbrich is one of the effort's co-chairs, along with Chris Dimou, President & CEO of Roto Frank of America; 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.
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. It was clear from participating company responses that the most needed position is for machine operators at 436 jobs needed over the next two years. The second closest in-demand position are machinists at 44 people needed. The 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. The team prepared a master list of high school programs to review, an overview of demographic data on community college students in manufacturing programs, and an initial YouTube library of manufacturing career videos. 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. Plans to coordinate marketing of the industry with the state are underway and include Connecticut Manufacturers' Collaborative (CMC), the Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF), and other Regional Sector Partnerships. To begin promoting careers in manufacturing to students, the team identified high schools in the region from which more than 25% of students do not attend a four-year, post-secondary college. Industry members are also working with educational partners to promote manufacturing careers and have met with superintendents to find ways manufacturing can be introduced to students and parents. The CT State Community College offers over 50 programs in engineering, industrial technology, and manufacturing, and over 8,000 students are enrolled in these programs during the year. The team is in the process of identifying manufacturing organizations interested in holding tours and visiting schools for manufacturing awareness.
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. These issues include but are not limited to 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.
Manufacturers seeking to join the South-Central Manufacturing Industry Partnership should contact Anne Benowitz at abenowitz@gnhcc.com.
