Courtney, Perez Highlight Job Training Connecting Electric Boat with Skilled Workforce
May 28, 2015
GROTON, CT--Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez to Electric Boat (EB) in Groton to discuss the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s critical role in expanding job training and opening doors to employment for eastern Connecticut workers. Courtney and Perez toured the shipyard and met EB leaders and new employees training in advanced welding techniques, and viewed the submarines currently under construction at EB.
Later, Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney hosted a roundtable discussion and were joined by with Governor Malloy and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and the “Manufacturing Pipeline Committee,” a group of business leaders, educators, advocates and government officials working to train the next generation of workers to perform high-level STEM occupations in eastern Connecticut. With the defense manufacturing sector poised to grow in eastern Connecticut, these training programs are providing manufacturers with the skilled workforce they need. During the roundtable, John Beauregard of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board presented (attached) the impact of a regional planning grant Courtney helped secure five years ago that led to the direct creation of 162 jobs and scores of additional jobs through the multiplier effect.
“As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I have worked for years to make the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act a reality. This legislation governs the federal investment in workforce training programs and centers around the country that are delivering advanced skills to today’s workers and preparing our nation to succeed in tomorrow’s global economy,” Courtney said. “Here at Electric Boat, production of the Virginia Class submarine and impending production of the Ohio Replacement submarines have increased the need for welders and other trades workers, as well as an unprecedented number of engineers to build the most advanced ships on earth. The direct connection between the work we have done to invest in workforce training, and the cutting-edge manufacturing happening at EB is crystal clear, and I am proud to share this pillar of eastern Connecticut’s economy with Secretary Perez – a visionary leader for our Labor department.”
“The sustainable growth of manufacturing in Connecticut and across America depends on employers, educators, advocates, and government coming together to invest in training that provides workers not just with the skills they need today, but with the foundation that translates into the jobs of tomorrow,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. “The passage of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act and President Obama’s commitment to growing apprenticeship programs are opening the doors for more smart programs like what we saw at Electric Boat, and I’m excited about how Labor Department investments in Connecticut’s community colleges are helping to prepare the next generation of manufacturing workers.”
The discussion centered on the recently-passed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which Congressman Courtney worked closely on as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. This legislation governs workforce development programs, including educational offerings and worker retraining programs. Last year, Three Rivers and Quinebaug Community Colleges in Connecticut received grant funding from the Department of Labor to continue the successful pilot Advanced Manufacturing Program, which has led to new employees at Electric Boat, including some who met with Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney on today’s tour.
GROTON, CT--Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez to Electric Boat (EB) in Groton to discuss the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s critical role in expanding job training and opening doors to employment for eastern Connecticut workers. Courtney and Perez toured the shipyard and met EB leaders and new employees training in advanced welding techniques, and viewed the submarines currently under construction at EB.
Later, Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney hosted a roundtable discussion and were joined by with Governor Malloy and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and the “Manufacturing Pipeline Committee,” a group of business leaders, educators, advocates and government officials working to train the next generation of workers to perform high-level STEM occupations in eastern Connecticut. With the defense manufacturing sector poised to grow in eastern Connecticut, these training programs are providing manufacturers with the skilled workforce they need. During the roundtable, John Beauregard of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board presented (attached) the impact of a regional planning grant Courtney helped secure five years ago that led to the direct creation of 162 jobs and scores of additional jobs through the multiplier effect.
“As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I have worked for years to make the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act a reality. This legislation governs the federal investment in workforce training programs and centers around the country that are delivering advanced skills to today’s workers and preparing our nation to succeed in tomorrow’s global economy,” Courtney said. “Here at Electric Boat, production of the Virginia Class submarine and impending production of the Ohio Replacement submarines have increased the need for welders and other trades workers, as well as an unprecedented number of engineers to build the most advanced ships on earth. The direct connection between the work we have done to invest in workforce training, and the cutting-edge manufacturing happening at EB is crystal clear, and I am proud to share this pillar of eastern Connecticut’s economy with Secretary Perez – a visionary leader for our Labor department.”
“The sustainable growth of manufacturing in Connecticut and across America depends on employers, educators, advocates, and government coming together to invest in training that provides workers not just with the skills they need today, but with the foundation that translates into the jobs of tomorrow,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. “The passage of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act and President Obama’s commitment to growing apprenticeship programs are opening the doors for more smart programs like what we saw at Electric Boat, and I’m excited about how Labor Department investments in Connecticut’s community colleges are helping to prepare the next generation of manufacturing workers.”
The discussion centered on the recently-passed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which Congressman Courtney worked closely on as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. This legislation governs workforce development programs, including educational offerings and worker retraining programs. Last year, Three Rivers and Quinebaug Community Colleges in Connecticut received grant funding from the Department of Labor to continue the successful pilot Advanced Manufacturing Program, which has led to new employees at Electric Boat, including some who met with Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney on today’s tour.
GROTON, CT--Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez to Electric Boat (EB) in Groton to discuss the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s critical role in expanding job training and opening doors to employment for eastern Connecticut workers. Courtney and Perez toured the shipyard and met EB leaders and new employees training in advanced welding techniques, and viewed the submarines currently under construction at EB.
Later, Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney hosted a roundtable discussion and were joined by with Governor Malloy and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and the “Manufacturing Pipeline Committee,” a group of business leaders, educators, advocates and government officials working to train the next generation of workers to perform high-level STEM occupations in eastern Connecticut. With the defense manufacturing sector poised to grow in eastern Connecticut, these training programs are providing manufacturers with the skilled workforce they need. During the roundtable, John Beauregard of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board presented (attached) the impact of a regional planning grant Courtney helped secure five years ago that led to the direct creation of 162 jobs and scores of additional jobs through the multiplier effect.
“As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I have worked for years to make the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act a reality. This legislation governs the federal investment in workforce training programs and centers around the country that are delivering advanced skills to today’s workers and preparing our nation to succeed in tomorrow’s global economy,” Courtney said. “Here at Electric Boat, production of the Virginia Class submarine and impending production of the Ohio Replacement submarines have increased the need for welders and other trades workers, as well as an unprecedented number of engineers to build the most advanced ships on earth. The direct connection between the work we have done to invest in workforce training, and the cutting-edge manufacturing happening at EB is crystal clear, and I am proud to share this pillar of eastern Connecticut’s economy with Secretary Perez – a visionary leader for our Labor department.”
“The sustainable growth of manufacturing in Connecticut and across America depends on employers, educators, advocates, and government coming together to invest in training that provides workers not just with the skills they need today, but with the foundation that translates into the jobs of tomorrow,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. “The passage of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act and President Obama’s commitment to growing apprenticeship programs are opening the doors for more smart programs like what we saw at Electric Boat, and I’m excited about how Labor Department investments in Connecticut’s community colleges are helping to prepare the next generation of manufacturing workers.”
The discussion centered on the recently-passed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which Congressman Courtney worked closely on as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. This legislation governs workforce development programs, including educational offerings and worker retraining programs. Last year, Three Rivers and Quinebaug Community Colleges in Connecticut received grant funding from the Department of Labor to continue the successful pilot Advanced Manufacturing Program, which has led to new employees at Electric Boat, including some who met with Secretary Perez and Congressman Courtney on today’s tour.
Issues:Economy & Jobs