State resources
Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development
505 Hudson St.
Hartford, CT 06106
860-270-8000
www.ct.gov/ecd
Manufacturing Innovation Fund supports the growth, innovation and progress of Connecticut’s advanced manufacturing sector. The fund encourages collaboration between private companies and higher education, provides vouchers to assist with technical needs, funds job training and provides matching funds for federal grants.
Business Development and Workforce Training is the state’s lead agency for the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs that support business growth and innovation. The department offers a wide range of programs and services to help companies prosper in Connecticut.
Denise Jones
Denise.jones@ct.gov
International Division is the lead facilitator and strategic catalyst of international activity within the state. Its mission is to increase the global competitiveness of Connecticut businesses by developing two-way trade and investment opportunities; by helping these businesses enter new markets and expand their global business base; by aggressively pursuing foreign direct investment opportunities; and by building public/private strategic partnerships.
State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP) is a pilot grant program to help increase the number of small businesses that export, and increase the value of exports for small businesses currently exporting.
Laura Jaworski
Laura.jaworski@ct.gov
Aaron Knight
860-270-8059
Aaron.knight@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Labor
200 Folly Brook Blvd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
860-263-6000
www.ctdol.state.ct.us/gendocs/about.html
Five workforce development boards set up through the workforce innovation and opportunity act:
Capital Workforce Partners
1 Union Place
Hartford, CT 06103
capitalworkforce.org
Alex Johnson, acting president & CEO
860-522-1111
Public-private partnership investing in youth development, develops sustainable career paths for adult workers and assist employers with a variety of programs and services through the American Job Center network.
Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board
108 New Park Ave.
Franklin, CT 06254
www.ewib.org
John Beauregard, president & CEO
860-859-4100
Public-private partnership overseeing a network of workforce-related programs funded from a variety of sources including the operations of the region’s American Job Centers.
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board Inc.
249 Thomaston Ave.
Waterbury, 06702
www.nrwib.org
Catherine Awwad, executive director
203-574-6971
Public-private partnership with local businesses, government, education, labor and human services agencies, which all work together to provide the delivery of workforce development services through programs for adult and dislocated workers and the American Job Center network.
The Workplace Inc.
350 Fairfield Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
www.workplace.org
Joseph M. Carbone, president & CEO
203-610-8500
Public-private partnership with nearly 20 programs to assist youth, workers and the long-term unemployed including: Ready2Work, Platform to Employment, Dress for Success, MaturityWorks and services through the American Job Center network.
Workforce Alliance
560 Ella T. Grasso Blvd.
New Haven, CT 06519
workforcealliance.biz
William P. Villano, president & CEO
203-624-1493
Public-private partnership assisting with on-the-job training grants, workshops, youth employment and services through the American Job Center network.
Connecticut Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at CONNSTEP
350 Church St.
Hartford, CT
Matt Howe, Director of Sales and Marketing
860-513-3206
mhowe@connstep.org
www.connstep.org
Part of a nationwide system of MEP centers linked through the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), with the common goal to strengthen the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. Includes the Made in CT program for manufacturers.
CTHires
Comprehensive web search engine for Connecticut employers and job seekers to find and post jobs and job candidates, trade fairs, training events and labor market analysis.
CTWorks Career Centers Connecticut Department of Labor
A network of 14 career centers offer services to job seekers and employers. Consumers are not charged for the services provided by the center regardless of their employment status. Career services include employment searches, assistance with writing and critiquing resumes, skills assessments, guidance on interviewing techniques, workshops on career transitions, videos and information on local job fairs.
Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline
Provides no-cost training to address the hiring needs of Groton, Conn.-based Electric Boat (General Dynamics), members of the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance and other manufacturers; funded by the US Department of Labor-Workforce Innovation Fund in partnership with the CT Department of Labor and the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board with training provided by Three Rivers Community College, Quinebaug Valley Community College, Community College of Rhode Island, Employment & Training Institute, and Metrix Learning.
Incumbent Worker Training Program
Bernice Zampano
860-263-6732
Bernice.zampano@ct.gov
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/IWTmanufappform.htm
A matching fund program to help manufacturing companies provide training for their workforce. It offers up to up to $50,000 maximum per employer, per calendar year equal to the approved amount. The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor and funded through the Department of Economic & Community Development’s Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund.
Private resources
Connecticut Business & Industry Association
350 Church St., #2
Hartford, CT 06103
860-244-1900
www.cbia.com
Membership-based advocacy for a positive business climate in Connecticut.
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc.
409 Silver Lane
East Hartford, CT 06118
860-610-0478
info@ccat.us
A nonprofit creating and implementing bold ideas for applied technologies, IT strategies, energy solutions, STEM education and career development. CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations to excel. Leads the Connecticut Dream It Do It (CTDIDI) program, which is one of more than 40 state efforts focused on developing an awareness of rewarding careers in manufacturing as part of The National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute’s nationwide campaign to create a positive image of today’s manufacturing.
http://ctdidi.com/resources/resources-for-manufacturers/
CCAT Advanced Manufacturing Center showcases, demonstrates and evaluates leading-edge equipment and systems through a network of machining and software companies.
Natalie Real, Director
860-282-4942
nreal@ccat.us
infoamc@ccat.us
https://www.ccat.us/amc/
Connecticut Tooling & Machining Association
440 N. Main St.
Bristol, CT 06010
860-604-8963
Dee Babkirk, director
Director@ct-ntma.org
A group of manufacturers and educators who represent the machining and advanced manufacturing profession in the state.
CT Hackerspace
30 Echo Lake Road
Watertown, CT 06795
203-450-4247
www.cthackerspace.com
Members have access to a community workshop and prototyping center that includes wood and metal shops and more.
Danbury Hackerspace at the Innovation Center
158 Main St.
Danbury, CT 06810
203-493-4225
danburyhackerspace.com
DanburyHackerspace@gmail.com
Non-profit makerspace with 3D printers, prototyping tools, a mockup studio, a common work area, program space and coworking space.
Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance
108 New Park Ave.
Franklin, CT 06254
860-859-4100
www.eamainc.com
Killi Vallieres, president
Non-profit organization comprised of manufacturers in Eastern Connecticut, South Central Massachusetts and Northwest Rhode Island to work with education and training partners to produce highly skilled workers.
Fairfield County Makers’ Guild
327 Main Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-810-4174
www.fcmakers.com
Non-profit, membership-based community workshop and fabrication studio
MakeHartford
30 Arbor St.
Hartford, CT 06106
860-578-4338
info@makehartford.com
makehartford.com
Makerspace providing 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutter, and a wood/metal shop to build and create. The makerspace offers classes and a community of like-minded people.
MakeHaven
770 Chapel St.
New Haven, CT 06510
info@makehaven.org
www.makehaven.org
Membership grants 24-hour, daily access to a woodshop, laser cutters, sewing machines, electronics workbenches, CNC mill, 3D printers and more. Classes and workshops are offered, and scholarships are available.
NESIT Inc. and NESIT Makerspace
290 Pratt St.
Meriden, CT 06450
203-514-2257
nesit.org
Non-profit makerspace open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays. Resources are available for metal, leather and woodworking, fabrication, electronics, 3D printing and more.
Spark Makerspace
225 State St., Suite 100
New London, CT 06320
860-629-8477
www.sparkmakerspace.org
Members pay monthly dues to access a full woodshop, commercial kitchen, 3D printers, CNC machine and laser cutter, robotics lab, screenprinting equipment, shared office space, retail space and much more.
Westport Library Makerspace
20 Jessup Road
Westport, CT 06880
203-291-4800
westportlibrary.org/services/makerspace
Alex Giannini, agiannini@westportlibrary.org
Access to four 3D printers and more
