CBIA Members Help Strengthen Manufacturing Talent Pipeline

On March 3, Three Rivers Community College in Norwich and the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance had reason to celebrate.
The college and the Alliance cut the ribbon on a renovated sheet metal fabrication lab, which will enhance the training students receive at the school and strengthen Connecticut’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

The ribbon cutting was part of the Three Rivers College Foundation’s Pathways to Success breakfast honoring those who worked to make the lab and a new sheet metal fabrication curriculum a reality.
Honorees included CBIA members Kelli-Marie Vallieres, CEO of Sound Manufacturing and Monster Power Equipment and EAMA president; and Ray Coombs, Jr., president of Westminster Tool and founder of EAMA.
“Kelli and Ray have been incredible supporters of our efforts to strengthen the connection between education and businesses,” says Andrea Comer, executive director of the CBIA Education Workforce Partnership, who attended the breakfast.
“EAMA has worked with us to develop innovative ways to get students excited about manufacturing.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to judge their video challenge last year; the creativity the students demonstrated was inspiring to see.”
Also on hand at the breakfast were CBIA President and CEO Joe Brennan and Adam Ney, CBIA’s outreach and engagement team leader.
Howard Jenkins, manager of HR (diversity & outreach) at Electric Boat and director of the Three Rivers College Foundation, was the guest speaker at the event.