The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) is
pleased to announce it has received a $1,250,000 award from the Apprenticeship
Connecticut Initiative to focus on addressing the shortage of skilled workers
in the manufacturing sector. This regional partnership comprises the following
entities: Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation, Northwestern CT Community
College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, CT Technical High Schools,
Torrington H.S., Danbury H.S., New Milford, H.S. and Waterbury high schools
along with sixteen employers throughout the northwest workforce region (which
includes Waterbury, Torrington and Danbury), and several business associations
and chambers of commerce.
Manufacturing accounts
for nearly 12% of the region’s economy, contributing over $3.4 billion a year
to the region’s gross regional product (GRP) and a little over 10% of total employment.
This partnership will serve the employment needs of individuals residing in all
41 towns within the Northwest region, and will focus on those areas with the
most concentrated employment needs. The project will provide separate training
programs by creating pipelines of: (i) in the 11th or 12th grade and (ii) 18
years of age or older who are not currently enrolled in 11th or 12th grade.
Individuals seeking training in the manufacturing field are urged to visit our
website www.nrwib.org for program updates and enrollment information. Employers
interested in learning more about the partnership are encouraged to contact
Cathy Awwad at catherine.awwad@nrwib.org.