Manufacturers in state say skilled laborers hard to find

August 09, 2011 12:00 am • Last Updated: August 09, 2011 9:01 am

By By JC REINDL Day Staff Writer

Hartford - Many Connecticut manufacturers anticipate adding to or maintaining their current work forces through the year, although 87 percent say it's difficult finding skilled workers to fill vacancies, according to a statewide survey of manufacturing businesses by the office of U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District.

The survey, conducted in April and May, received responses from 151 manufacturers, mostly in central Connecticut and the Interstate 91 corridor. The firms ranked their greatest concerns and answered questions about what government could do to enhance their business environment.

Murphy presented the findings Monday during a joint news conference at the state Capitol with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a fellow Democrat.

Manufacturing represented about 10 percent of the Connecticut work force, or 166,200 people, in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are roughly 5,000 manufacturing businesses in the state.

"We are of the belief that Connecticut's economy cannot thrive moving forward without a vibrant manufacturing sector," Murphy said, noting that while many manufacturers nationwide have been adding jobs since the recession officially ended, total manufacturing employment remains below prerecession levels.

"We are on the brink of a reindustrialization of this nation, and Connecticut has to make sure that it is part of that manufacturing rebirth," he said.

Among the survey's respondents, 89 percent said they plan to hire new workers this year or at least maintain their payroll. But those same employers are having trouble finding enough skilled employees, despite the 9.1 percent unemployment rate at the state and national levels.

"The takeaway here is that almost all manufacturers are looking forward to hiring or maintaining their present work force, and that what they need is the skilled work force to fill those potential openings," Blumenthal said.

Businesses taking part in the survey suggested stronger support for vocational schools. They also suggested more grants for manufacturing internships and a greater effort to inform high-school students about the high demand for skilled manufacturing workers.

Murphy said the survey underscores the need for public investment in education and worker training. Recent proposals could result in cuts to community colleges and technical schools, exacerbating the work force problem.

"I'm going to take this survey down to Washington as proof to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that it would be foolhardy, from an economics standpoint, to cut money for job-training programs, for the work force investment," Murphy said.

Connecticut's 17 technical high schools will face nearly $12 million in proposed cuts as part of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's plan to rebalance the state budget if state union workers vote down a second labor concessions deal later this month. The cuts would include eliminating art and music teachers, laying off librarians and scaling back adult education.

The state's technical high schools were ready to cancel all fall sports this year until the state announced this month that it would find the money to keep athletics intact.

Patricia Ciccone, superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System, said Monday that responding to the workplace needs of state business and industry "is our reason for being."

"That's why we don't want to dilute our programs any more," she said.

According to Murphy's survey, many Connecticut manufacturers are having trouble competing with China's cheaper labor costs, government subsidies and laxer environmental regulations. Fifty-seven percent of respondents believe that addressing Chinese currency manipulation will help their business.

The manufacturers suggested ways the federal government could help their business:

• Increase investment in worker training as well as science, technology, engineering and math.

• Reverse the trend of companies outsourcing and offshoring jobs.

• Control the federal long-term debt.

• Enforce stronger "Buy American" requirements.

Blumenthal said he supported lowering the corporate income tax rate from its current 35 percent and then closing tax loopholes to raise additional revenue. Such action would result in many small manufacturers paying less in taxes and, in turn, would boost the sector and create jobs, he said.

"We need to go back to making things," Blumenthal said.

Murphy's survey report lists several suggestions, including a national strategy to grow U.S. manufacturing.

"Other manufacturing powerhouses like Germany have a national concerted effort of focus on manufacturing, and we should, too," Murphy says in the report.

j.reindl@theday.com