January 25, 2023(East Hartford, Connecticut) –
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) announced the official launch of its Engineering Internship Program, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Manufacturing Innovation Fund. CCAT is partnering with DECD, and innovative companies across the State, to create a vibrant student-employer community that fosters professional and personal development and exposure to rewarding careers in manufacturing.
Manufacturing and technology companies are encouraged to submit their internship positions to be promoted on the program’s website. Students may submit a resume to be shared with participating companies and/or apply directly for the paid internship positions posted.
The program is open to all small and mid-size Connecticut manufacturers and college students of all majors. Companies with fewer than 300 employees hiring engineering interns may apply for a matching wage subsidy grant and receive up to $7,000 for up to two qualified interns. The internship program is sponsored by the Manufacturing Innovation Fund (DECD) and powered by CCAT.
“Internships and experiential learning opportunities lay the foundation for one’s future career,” shares Jackie Garofano, Ph.D., chief technology officer at CCAT and executive champion of the program.
“Ensuring students immerse themselves within our high-tech, fast-paced manufacturing companies to gain hands-on, real-world experience early in their collegiate careers is a key element of this program. Equally as important is empowering this next-gen talent by offering them plenty of opportunities to network and grow. We saw last year’s pilot cohort establish strong relationships with each other, and it’s exciting that so many interns are returning to Connecticut manufacturers this summer.”
According to a recent Deloitte analysis, workforce challenges are expected to remain a top priority for most manufacturers. Despite a record number of new hires, open positions in the industry are still near unprecedented levels. Employees leaving the workforce continue to outnumber layoffs and discharges. The Manufacturing Innovation Fund supports key manufacturing workforce development initiatives to build a skilled, diverse workforce.
“The internship program is critical to our ‘learn in Connecticut, earn in Connecticut vision,’ said Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer. “We want to make sure our college students fully understand the outstanding career opportunities across our State. We make the most sophisticated machines and parts in the state, we have a talented workforce, and we are a national leader in innovation. An internship at a manufacturing company is the best way to get involved, grow and influence exciting opportunities for students and the industry.”
Last summer, CCAT piloted a small cohort of interns from companies across the State. All participating employers will return for the summer of 2023.
“Working with CCAT’s internship program made a massive impact on our business. The students we brought on were new to manufacturing and offered a unique perspective, often coming up with ideas we hadn’t thought of before,” said Brittany Isherwood, president of Burke Aerospace.
“They were able to apply their creativity and skills learned in school and at Burke to help troubleshoot processes, design and produce complex tooling and provide a new viewpoint on traditional manufacturing methods. The internship program is a very important and integral part of our business.”
To learn more about the MIF Internship Program and get involved, please visit CCAT.us/interns.
SAVE THE DATE: don’t miss the upcoming Connecticut Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Career Fair taking place on Tuesday, April 4 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at Quinnipiac University, M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, CT. Companies are encouraged to register to secure a table at no cost here.
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About CCAT
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT), a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., is a dynamic and innovative applied technology organization that leads regional and national partnerships that assist global industrial companies and the manufacturing supply chain across industry sectors in driving advancements, efficiencies, and the adoption of leading-edge technologies.
Our vision is transformative solutions for a connected world, and our mission is to lead the advancement of applied technologies, power the workforce of the future, and inspire change.
For more information on the MIF Internship Program, reach out to Eileen Candels, director of partnerships, at ecandels@ccat.us.
About Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF)
The MIF supports the growth, innovation, and progress in Connecticut’s manufacturing sector. This funding is administered by DECD to provide grants and support an array of initiatives, including:
- Funding to keep pace with state-of-the-art product development and manufacturing technology
- Programs that recruit, retain, and train a highly skilled workforce
- Vouchers that assist business development and technical needs
To learn more, visit the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing.
Media Contact
Denise Gordon, Marketing & Comm. Lead, CCAT, 860-282-4224, dgordon@ccat.us
