Regular readers of the Alliance for American Manufacturing’s (AAM) ManufactureThis blog may recall last week, when we told you about existing opportunities in manufacturing going unfilled because of the lack of trained and prepared individuals.

It seems several community colleges in Connecticut have taken measures to ensure the manufacturing workforce in their state is educated and ready. Writing for the Hartford Courant, Ingrid Adamow discusses the new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Specifically, she explores the manufacturing certificate program with prospective students.

The students interviewed by Adamow express enthusiasm about having an opportunity to learn via internships, a simulated work environment, and mock interviews as well as being prepared, at the completion of the certificate, to start a career where the starting pay may range from $18-$25.

The center’s interim director, Eric Stroehle, tells Adamow

This center has galvanized the manufacturing community in the Waterbury region.

Waterbury, Connecticut has a long history as a manufacturing city. Many of its existing plants are metal-focused.

The center at Naugatuck Valley Community College is not the only place in Connecticut for future manufacturers to learn. The state created manufacturing centers at two other community colleges as well. All three programs are based on the successful Manufacturing Technology Center built over a decade ago at Asnuntuck Community College, in Enfield, which was created to prepare workers for careers at Pratt and Whitney.

AAM includes educating the American workforce as a key component of a National Manufacturing Strategy.

Photo of Waterbury, CT by flickr user PhillipC and used under Creative Commons license.