Press Releases
10/09/2018
Gov. Malloy: State Seeks Proposals for Mobile Manufacturing Training Labs
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that the Department Economic and Community Development (DECD), in collaboration with the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF) Advisory Board has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create a mobile manufacturing training lab program for the State of Connecticut. The goal is to provide incumbent workers with the skills to succeed in manufacturing jobs and to increase and sustain the engagement of Connecticut’s young people in the state’s manufacturing talent pipeline.
“We must do everything in our power to ensure Connecticut has the best, most highly-skilled workforce in the country,” Governor Malloy said. “In particular, we have real employment opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector – and a real need for skilled workers to fill those positions. The mobile manufacturing training labs will be another important step toward ensuring Connecticut workers are ready to fill the jobs of the 21st century.”
The RFP is seeking a qualified proposer to develop a mobile manufacturing training lab program that will increase the skillsets for incumbent workers and encourage more young people to pursue advanced manufacturing careers in Connecticut, acquire, operate and maintain a vehicle to support the implementation of the program, and market the mobile manufacturing training labs’ assets to businesses and educational institutions.
“There are numerous mobile manufacturing training labs throughout the country, including one that has been extremely successful here in Connecticut,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said. “These labs have been proven effective in retraining incumbent workers as well as educating and recruiting the next generation of advanced manufacturing employees, which is why we are so excited there will soon be more.”
“With so many jobs available in advanced manufacturing, we desperately need to get more students interested in these careers and the opportunities they offer,” DOL Commissioner Kurt Westby said. “The concept of bringing the world of advanced manufacturing to the doorsteps of our schools through mobile labs is a great way to give students a first-hand look at the possibilities, while employers can see how additional training will keep their current workforce even more competitive.”
Proposals to the RFP are due no later than Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee, which will make a recommendation to the Manufacturing Innovation Fund Advisory Board for final approval. Funding will be provided by the state’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund.
Established in 2014, the Manufacturing Innovation Fund was introduced by Governor Malloy to help small to mid-sized manufacturers in the state modernize, invest, and grow. Since the program’s inception, it has strengthened the aerospace and shipbuilding supply chain, connected manufacturers with innovative new technologies and updated its apprenticeship and training programs.
**Download: RFP from DECD for Mobile Manufacturing Training Labs
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