Connecticut Spring & Stamping (CSS), a manufacturer of precision parts for the medical, aerospace, firearms and defense industries, has developed its own in-house apprenticeship program to train enough skilled workers to meet its capacity and continue to grow the company. Tailored to the skill sets required for tool and die makers and various spring coiler set-up operations, CSS' program replaces formerly state-funded training for skilled manufacturing workers. A diverse group of eleven people are currently enrolled in the program, including five minorities and two women.
"CSS' in-house apprenticeship program was created to meet the need for workers to meet its rapid growth rate, which is running at 20-30%, year over year," said a company spokesperson. "The program includes specific tracks for CNC production set-up, press and fourslide diemakers, stamping press set-up operator, fourslide set-up operator, and heat set set-up operator. To fund the program, CSS takes full advantage of available grants, including the Connecticut Department of Labor's 21st Century Skills Training Program and the Advance Training Grant Program."
Under the direction of a qualified training instructor and using the same guidelines established by the state apprenticeship program for becoming a certified skilled worker in Connecticut, apprentices are trained in tasks assigned to each competency (basic, intermediate and advanced) for each position. After successfully completing each competency, the apprentice receives an increase in compensation.
"Well-paid manufacturing jobs requiring manual skills are out there, and as the skilled workforce ages, it is becoming more and more difficult to fill critical positions with trained employees," said Kathy Bellemare, Director of Human Resources at CSS. "What training exists has a near-exclusive focus on non-manufacturing skills. While we are extremely proud of the program we have developed, we still hold out hope that technical institutions and local community colleges will step up to fill the void by establishing training programs and internships to meet the needs of manufacturers."
For more information contact:
Connecticut Spring & Stamping
48 Spring Lane
Farmington, CT 06032
860-677-1341
www.ctspring.com