Workforce Solutions: Summer Internship Experiences

“A perfect fit.” Atlantic Precision Spring president Brian Fries reviews the manufacturer’s summer internship experience.

Atlantic Precision Spring president Brian Fries reflects on his summer 2023 internship hosting experience and underscores the significance of introducing 16- and 17-year-old students to the shop floor.

“Bringing young interns into the manufacturing world is a big benefit,” Fries says. “By having this young generation in here, exposing them to the opportunities, may change their perspective.”

The Bristol manufacturing company collaborated with CBIA workforce development affiliate ReadyCT to host an intern, a partnership that Fries called “a perfect fit.”

“ReadyCT did a lot the behind the scenes work,” he said.

“All the details, the W-9s, the paperwork—anything associated with the state was all taken care of by ReadyCT.”

Shop Floor Experience

Students younger than 18 years old can gain shop floor experience through a pre-apprenticeship or cooperative work education program.

“We’re addressing the labor shortage by bridging the gap between the workforce and education,” says ReadyCT career development coordinator Ally Butkus.

“We provide support to the intern and the employer from the beginning to end to ensure a high quality internship experience.”

ReadyCT career pathway program manager Dan Lee explains that the organization works with students during the school year to provide career-connected learning opportunities.

“We provide worksite visits, job shadowing opportunities, guest speakers, as well as resume reviews,” he said.

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For more information, contact ReadyCT’s Sheryl McNamee.