Thank you for your participation in our CTMA membership meetings during 2006.  We very much appreciate your participation at our membership meetings and events.  I'm very excited to tell you what we have planned for 2007.

As many of you know, there is a critical shortage of skilled people in manufacturing.  We face major challenges today including an aging workforce that's planning for retirement and fewer young people entering the machine trades.  NTMA Chairman Jeff Kelly recently said, "Free agency came to basketball, football and baseball; free agency is coming to manufacturing."  2007 will be the year that CTMA begins a strategy to build and maintain a skilled, productive and solid workforce for the future and we have already begun.

What We're Doing:

We have developed CTMA's Technical High School Outreach Program - we have partnered with eight out of the 16 technical schools in Connecticut offering manufacturing technology programs.  This partnership will be fostered through consistently meeting with tech teachers; shop tours for students on a regular basis; co-op programs where the student has an opportunity to work in a shop for a semester or Summer; and regular meetings with parents to make sure that they, too, understand the importance of skilled workers in manufacturing in CT.  Volunteering a small amount of time to local technical schools can have a huge impact on the flow of qualified people into manufacturing.

The following companies have agreed to work with a specific technical school:

O'Brien, Ansonia, CT
Bullard Havens, Bridgeport, CT
Bristol Tec, Bristol, CT                   Sirois Tool, Hygrade Precision, Fischer
Abbot, Danbury, CT
Ellis, Danielson, CT
Grasso, Groton, CT
Whitney, Hamden, CT
Prince, Hartford, CT                                Kell-Strom Tool
Cheney, Manchester, CT                         Aero Gear
Wilcox, Meriden, CT                                Hobson & Motzer
Vinal, Middletown, CT                              Hobson & Motzer
Platt, Milford, CT   
Goodwin, New Britain, CT                        Sirois Tool, Berlin
Wolcott, Torrington, CT                            Edward Segal, Inc.
Kaynor, Waterbury, CT                            Edward Segal, Inc.
Windham, Willimantic, CT

Ideally, CTMA will have a member company working with each of the 16 technical schools offering manufacturing technology in our state. 

We are in the first phase of bringing Bots IQ to Connecticut.  Due to the planning and fundraising involved in this endeavor, we are starting now to investigate having a Connecticut Bots IQ competition here in Connecticut in 2008.  Briefly, Bots IQ is a not-for-profit organization delivering dynamic and exciting integrated robotics programs to America's youth.  These innovative programs provide a productive solution to this country's on-going challenge of providing hands-on math, science, engineering, manufacturing and technology skills in the classroom.  Bots IQ programs engage, attract and educate students from middle school years through post secondary, providing the base for the United States to remain the world leader in innovation and manufacturing.

CTMA is pleased to announce that our April 24th Membership Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, CT will include a mini-Bots IQ demonstration with 15 lb robots and a presentation of past competitions.   Children (10 years & up) of members will be invited to attend along with our tech schools and students.    According to Nola Garcia, CEO of Bots IQ Robotics Education, "the availability of technically skilled American workers continues to decline at an alarming rate within the manufacturing industry, among others; and Bots IQ is an exciting way to engage young people, our future workers of America."  Nola will enthusiastically present her mantra that "attracting, engaging, and educating our young people, instilling in them the necesary values, and developing their talents and skills will ensure our place as world leaders."

We have gained an audience with the Connecticut Guidance Counselors Association and in April will be meeting with them to discuss manufacturing career opportunities in Connecticut for students with the capability and interest in becoming skilled craftsmen. Programs at Asnuntuck and Naugutuck valley community colleges are already in place and have capacity for a large number of students to fill the need. 

What You Can Do:

Let us know about any relationship you may have with high schools or technical schools in the area.   Tell us your hiring success stories.  Participate in CTMA's Technical High School Outreach Program.  Pick a technical school you would like to work with http://www.cttech,org/ and let us know if we can be of assistance.  Call me at 860-349-6226.

We have gained an audience with the Connecticut Guidance Counselors Association and in April will be meeting with them to discuss manufacturing career opportunities in Connecticut for students with the capability and interest in becoming skilled craftsmen. Programs at Asnuntuck and Naugutuck valley community colleges are already in place and have capacity for a large number of students to fill the need. 

Join us at all of our membership meetings in 2007 for an opportunity to network and to learn.  Mark your calendars with our meeting dates (attached calendar.)  You won't be disappointed.  Especially mark your calendars and register early for the Bots IQ meeting on April 24th! 

Thank you for reviewing this important Call to Action.  Although I've been around CTMA for a few years, I don't know each and every one of you.  I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your businesses, your shops and your challenges. 

Best Regards,

Bruce Dworak
President
CTMA
860-349-6226