October Declared Manufacturing Month in Connecticut
This recognizes the importance of the state’s nearly 5,000 manufacturing companies and highlights industry career opportunities statewide.
Posted: October 1, 2015
October marks the fourth annual “Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.” Manufacturing Month officially proclaimed by governor Dannel P. Malloy to recognize the importance of the nearly 5,000 Connecticut manufacturing companies to the state and to highlight industry career opportunities statewide.
Licensed and led by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT; East Hartford, CT) and funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development, “Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.” is part of The Manufacturing Institute’s nationwide campaign to dispel misconceptions about manufacturing and attract the creative, skilled young people needed to grow the industry.
During Manufacturing Month, over 350 middle and high school students will participate in two signature “Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.” events, Manufacturing Mania and Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit. More than 200 middle school boys and girls from Ansonia to Bristol to Simsbury to Torrington will join in Manufacturing Mania activities on National Manufacturing Day, October 2, at the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center in Bristol, CT. The program, sponsored by NESMA and the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Community Foundation, will include displays from manufacturers and higher education institutions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, team-based competitions, and guest speakers.
https://youtu.be/tS89d2qP7rI
For the Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit, “Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.” is partnering with “Dream It. Do It. Rhode Island” to host 160 middle and high school girls at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton on October 16. The students will learn about manufacturing through interactive activities and hear from leading women in the industry, who will share their inspiring, personal success stories with the students. The event will also include an educator workshop presented by the Connecticut Girls Collaborative on incorporating positive female role models into the classroom.
“Connecticut. Dream It. Do It.” focuses on creating a positive image of today’s manufacturing, increasing awareness of rewarding manufacturing careers, and promoting STEM and 21st century workplace skills,” says Sue Palisano, the director of education and workforce development for CCAT. According to Palisano, over the past four years these unique events have introduced more than 1,400 middle school students and teachers to the wide variety of educational and career pathways that today’s manufacturing offers.
Manufacturing Month offers activities across the state that showcase the industry. Many manufacturing companies open their doors to the public with tours and open house events. And, Connecticut’s technical high schools and community colleges hold special events to introduce their manufacturing programs to prospective students.