Second Annual Manufacturers Only Workforce Summit Will Feature Six Virtual Learning Sessions
Senior executives in manufacturing are invited to take part in this unique and innovative effort to build the skilled workforce pipeline.
East Hartford, Conn. (September 8, 2020): The Manufacturers Workforce Summit Series, presented by the Connecticut Manufacturers Resource Group (CTmrg), is the state’s only workforce-building event focused solely on manufacturing. Due to the ongoing restrictions on in-person gatherings, event organizers have decided to take the Summit online in an inventive new format. Rather than a single day of workshops and networking, the second annual Summit will feature a series of six online presentations and panel discussions, to be held over the course of ten months beginning on Thursday, October 15.
Each session will be designed to give senior executives in the manufacturing industry the opportunity to learn from thought-leaders and resource providers who can offer solutions to some of the sector’s unique and pressing workforce challenges. Topics will include best practices from around the state, with presentations and panel discussions featuring manufacturers who have had success with recruiting and retaining a dedicated workforce in this highly competitive market. Serving as the program’s emcee will be Ron Angelo, President and CEO of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) and former Deputy Commissioner of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
The dates and topics for the 2020/2021 Manufacturers Workforce Summit Series are as follows:
October 15, 2020
The Second Chance Program
Leesa Schipani will moderate a discussion with representatives from Whitcraft and the Connecticut Department of Corrections, who will talk about how they have partnered to incorporate the state’s Second Chance program into Whitcraft’s business and hiring model.
December 17, 2020
Alternative Workforce
Michael Kijak, Director of Operational Excellence & Legrand Way with Legrand, North and Central America, will discuss how Legrand is successfully integrating employees from the alternative workforce (including people with intellectual or physical disabilities) into their manufacturing environment.
February 18, 2021
Panel Discussion, Manufacturing Recruitment Best Practices
Leesa Schipani will moderate a discussion with representatives from several prominent area manufacturers. They will provide insight into their successes both with recruitment and retention, with a focus on guidelines for practical implementation.
April 15, 2021
Emotional Quotient Training
Representatives from Wepco Plastics and Westminster Tool will discuss their implementation of EQ (Emotional Quotient) training to create an engaging and attractive place to work.
June 17, 2021
Apprenticeship Program
The Workforce Alliance of South Central Connecticut will present a case study from one of their manufacturing clients who has successfully implemented their Apprenticeship Program. This will be a tactical session designed to teach you how to implement this apprenticeship program (or a similar program) in your manufacturing facility, as well.
August 19, 2021
Panel Discussion, Manufacturing Recruitment Best Practices
Leesa Schipani will moderate another discussion with representatives from a new group of Connecticut manufacturers, who will talk about how they’ve succeeded in the areas of recruitment and retention.
Each session will be held online from 10:00am until 11:30am. The cost is just $59.95 for the entire series.
“We came up with the idea for the Manufacturers Only Workforce Summit because it’s a challenge we hear about over and over—manufacturers in our state trying to attract and retain good employees,” said Beth Devine, head of CTmrg and presenter of the Summit. “We’ll miss seeing everyone in person this year, but we think we’ve come up with a great new way to hold the summit. It will give our attendees more content in each session, and it will allow manufacturers from further distances to attend, too.”
Mary Fitzgerald, President of Acme Wire Products in Mystic, said she got a lot of business value from attending the event in 2019. “I was able to get some information about NETAAC program grants, which can be a great assistance to our company,” she said. “The discussions with the sponsors and the presenters were very informative, and the topics were of importance to many in the room.”
The Manufacturers Workforce Summit Series is exclusively for founders, presidents, and/or CEOs of manufacturing companies in Connecticut, along with their senior HR executives. Register online, email Beth Devine at beth@ctmrg.com or call (860) 432-9977.
Sponsorship opportunities for this innovative program are also available. For full details, visit www.ctmrg.com/workforce-summit-2020.
About the CT Manufacturers Resource Group:
The CT Manufacturers Resource Group (CTmrg) was created to help small and medium-sized manufacturers find and take advantage of the programs and resources that they might not otherwise be aware of. It provides access to a network of experts in a range of services that manufacturers need to grow and be successful. By partnering with workforce boards and educational institutions, navigating programs provided by state and federal government, and vetting the best resources available, CTmrg has become a single-source solution for services and information to help manufacturers grow their businesses.