manufacturing

Manufacturing has been the backbone of Central Connecticut’s economy for over 200 years. Our manufacturing communities today include hundreds of businesses - some large and most small to medium-sized industries, many of which have fewer than 200 employees. They manufacture all sorts of things including custom furniture, springs, glass and matt cutters, jewelry, building products, alarms, wire and cables, aircraft components, locks, metal fasteners - the list is a long and very diverse.

The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce is focused on improving the business climate for area manufacturers. We continue to increase elected officials' knowledge of manufacturing's needs and problems and help provide a pool of good, skilled people willing to work in industry by providing tours of local industries with elected officials and field trips to area manufacturers to exhibit available employment opportunities for junior high and high school students.

Programs and Services

• New England Spring and Metal Stamping Association – Administered by the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, NESMA, in coordination with the Bristol Technical Education Center and our legislators, works to provide funding for the Association’s particular training needs, to encourage and assist students who express an interest in careers in manufacturing, and to provide springmaking internships.
• Workshops and Classes - These services are provided through State grants and private pay. Educators from Central Connecticut State University's Institute for Industrial and Engineering Technology, Lincoln College of New England, the Bristol Career Center of Tunxis Community College, and other professional instructors provide classroom training on a wide variety of subjects.
• The Manufacturing Innovation Fund Apprenticeship Program - provides financial assistance to Connecticut manufacturers that have a Registered Apprentice Program as well as, approved Apprentice Related Instruction Training Providers. The goals of the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program are: To support manufacturing companies in their efforts to train Registered Apprenticeship workers in the appropriate skills to meet current and emerging market needs and occupational skills. To provide real time demand driven registered apprenticeship program that combines a structured work schedule of on the job training together with related classroom instruction. Online Application Form: www.ctapprenticeship.com