Building a Skilled Manufacturing Workforce Starts with a Conversation

How long does it take to train a skilled manufacturing employee? Three months? A year? Three years?

How long does it take to train a skilled manufacturing employee? Three months? A year? Three years? 

For manufacturers who gathered on October 6, the answer depends on the job, the skills required, and the opportunities employees have to learn along the way. 

Convened by the Manufacturing Regional Sector Partnership (RSP) and hosted by the Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation (MASC), the Lunch & Learn brought together local manufacturers, industry leaders, and workforce development partners for presentations from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). The RSP brings employers and workforce partners together to address shared industry challenges and develop solutions shaped by the needs of manufacturers. The goal of the October 6 gathering was simple: listen to employers, understand their training challenges, and explore practical ways to build a stronger manufacturing workforce. 

One of the most interesting conversations centered on how employees actually learn their jobs. Many manufacturers described a familiar approach: new employees work alongside experienced staff, observe their techniques, ask questions, and develop their skills through repetition. It’s often called learning by “osmosis,” and for many businesses, it’s simply how training has always happened. 

But that process takes time. Employers shared that training can range from a few months to several years, with many employees developing a solid foundation after about a year while continuing to build their skills. Several companies also discussed using key performance indicators (KPIs) and other workplace metrics to measure employee progress. 

These experiences raised an important question: How can manufacturers build on the hands-on training that already works while making the process more consistent, measurable, and effective? 

Throughout the session, NRWIB and NIMS explored approaches to structured on-the-job training, industry-recognized competencies, and tools that help employers track skill development. The discussion also highlighted the Metal Finishing Action Team (METAL) initiative and efforts to establish a Connecticut Registered Apprenticeship pathway for the Plater occupation. 

Employers also learned about NRWIB’s new Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund (IDSTF), supported by the Connecticut Department of Labor. The fund offers eligible employers an opportunity to seek reimbursement for approved training that strengthens the skills of their existing employees. By focusing on incumbent-worker training, the program helps businesses invest in the people already on their teams, whether they are developing new technical skills, adapting to changing technology, or preparing for greater responsibilities. 

Representatives from HORST Engineering, National Chromium, Hubbard Hall, SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts, UniMetal Surface Finishing, and other industry and workforce partners participated in the event, bringing valuable experience to the challenges and opportunities being discussed. 

There is no single solution to developing a skilled workforce, and no one understands that better than the employers training workers every day. Their experience is essential to shaping programs that respond to the real needs of Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. 

That is why conversations like these matter. They bring manufacturers, educators, and workforce partners together to identify challenges, share ideas, and turn industry knowledge into meaningful training opportunities. 

Connecticut manufacturers need skilled workers today, but building that workforce takes time. Through continued employer partnerships, practical training solutions, and opportunities like METAL and IDSTF, NRWIB is working to help businesses invest in their people and prepare for what comes next. 

Want to get involved? Contact Helen Brickfield, Employee Partnership Manager, at helen.brickfield@nrwib.org