A Message from our President |
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Dear Chamber Member,
As Dr. Matthew Cartter, State Epidemiologist for the Connecticut Department of Health, told the audience Wednesday during our Health Care Council Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, we are entering a 4th wave with the pandemic. How long it will last, remains to be seen.
As a Chamber, we are continuing our work to provide you with the latest news and updates, as well as resources and opportunities to stay engaged. There are two job fairs coming up: one on September 15 that is focused on manufacturing and another on October 5. Scroll down for additional details. As October is manufacturing month, we will be once again publishing our Manufacturing Today resource guide in partnership with the Republican-American newspaper. Details on advertising opportunities for this guide, which will reach over 30,000 households, will be distributed shortly.
If you are a business owner with five or more employees and do not currently offer a qualified retirement savings plan, I encourage you to consider participating in the pilot program of MyCTSavings, a statewide initiative aimed at helping workers plan for their financial future. Under state legislation that will take affect in early 2022, all businesses with five or more employees who do not offer a qualified retirement savings plan will be required to participate in MyCTSavings or get a qualified plan. We are looking for businesses who might benefit from the program. If you think this program might be a good fit for your business, please email David Huck for more information.
Please take a moment to learn about our new members, who are listed below. If you haven't yet reached out to our Membership Director Susan Sloan with a member referral lead, don't wait! Our "Just One" membership referral program ends on August 31 and the member who helps refer a new business that joins will be eligible to receive a marketing package valued at over $5,000.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me and share how we can support your business at [email protected] or (203) 757-0701.
Thank you for your continued membership,
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- President's Note
- Meet Your New Chamber Members
- MyCTSavings
- Health Care Council Keynote Speaker Video
- In the News
- Upcoming Opportunities
- Just One Member Referral Program
- Enrolling: Leadership Greater Waterbury
- Thank You to our Renewing Members
- Hiring and Training Programs Available
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Meet Your New Chamber Members |
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Richard Brodeur is the owner of this plumbing company, which provides plumbing inspection, drainage systems installation, pipeline replacement and more.
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Erika is a Human Resource Generalist working for ITW (NYSE: ITW), a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $14.1 billion in 2019. The company’s seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITW’s approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the company’s decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. Connect with Erika on LinkedIn.
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High Rock Water and Mechanical Service |
With over 10 years of experience in well water services and general plumbing in Connecticut, High Rock Water & Mechanical Service is your local well water service company that you can trust. Services include well water testing, well pump repair, well pump replacement, well pump installation, well water tanks, well water filtration, and general plumbing. Garrett Lea is the owner of this business, which is located at 6 Pine Street.
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Raid Construction and Security Technology |
Sandy Singh is chairman and chief executive officer of Raid Construction, an innovator and technology leader providing the essential infrastructure for organizations to build their digital future, maintain our tradition of providing quality service, detailed construction management, and a hands-on approach to each and every project.
Under Singh’s leadership, Raid Construction has developed into an innovative and competitive construction company. Singh’s manages the day-to-day operations including all functions of the business including construction operations, strategic planning, marketing, business development, human resources, client relations, finance, and negotiations. In addition, he oversees estimating, project management, planning, and implementation. He has a hands-on approach and takes on a “Whatever it takes” attitude to complete each project.
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MyCTSavings Pilot Retirement Savings Program |
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MyCTSavings, is a new retirement savings program created by the state of Connecticut’s Retirement Security Authority. MyCTSavings gives small businesses an easy way to help employees save and plan for their future, and it helps businesses compete with businesses that do offer retirement savings plans.
Employers with more than 5 employees who do not provide a qualified retirement savings plan are eligible to participate in the program. Employees must be at least 19 years old, have earned income, are employed in Connecticut, and have been employed for at least 120 days. There is no cost to participate in the pilot or the program.
Before the full MyCTSavings program rolls out across the state in 2022, Administrators of the initiative are looking for interested employers to participate in an exclusive pilot of the program. The pilot is your chance to be one of the first to offer this great new program to your employees and help influence the program for other business owners. They will provide dedicated support to help guide you through enrollment.
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Health Care Council Keynote: Dr. Matthew Cartter of Connecticut DPH |
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On Wednesday, the Waterbury Regional Chamber's Health Care Council held its 16th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Aria in Prospect. Click the video above to watch Dr. Matthew Cartter's keynote address. In addition to serving the Connecticut Department of Public Health as State Epidemiologist, Dr. Cartter is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Health Care at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and an associate clinical professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Yale University School of Public Health.
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In the News: Next Gen Manufacturing Hiring Event September 15 |
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Currently, the unemployment rate in the state of Connecticut is 7.9 percent, one of the highest in the country. According to a recent survey, manufacturers have reported that finding the right talent is 36 percent harder than it was in 2018, even though the unemployment rate has nearly doubled. Access to qualified workers continues to be a challenge, but efforts are being made to change this trajectory.
Late last year, the Governor’s Workforce Council released its 2020 Workforce Strategic Plan, which includes the creation of Next Generation Sector Partnerships, a national model adopted here in Connecticut. Next Gen for short, this initiative calls for bringing together business leaders, educational institutions, workforce development boards, and economic development organizations from regions across the state with the shared goal of tackling common needs in a specific industry. In this region, one of the focuses of the Next Gen initiative is manufacturing; the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board is a supporting partner and the Waterbury Regional Chamber is a convening team member in this partnership. Put simply, Next Gen is a new approach for manufacturers in Northwest Connecticut, as it is a partnership run by manufacturers for manufacturers.
On Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the partners in this area’s Next Gen Manufacturing initiative are hosting hiring events at three locations throughout Northwestern Connecticut. Events are being held in Waterbury, Danbury, and Torrington. During the hiring event at each location, jobseekers will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from participating employers, with the intended outcome of on-the-spot hires. Waterbury’s event will be held at the Manufacturing Alliance Service Center, also known as MASC, at 173 Interstate Lane. The event is free for employers and job seekers.
Cathy Awwad, the Executive Director of NRWIB, says that jobseekers will have opportunities to learn about employment openings, from entry-level to more skilled.
“There are numerous and various opportunities available throughout the manufacturing industry. Some require advanced training and others require little to no experience. No matter your skill level, if you are interested in an exciting and steady career in manufacturing, then this hiring event is for you. Area manufacturers are seeking both skilled and unskilled help. The opportunity to step into a career in manufacturing has never been greater.” Awwad says.
Also playing a key role in the Next Gen Manufacturing partnership are individuals known as industry champions—business leaders with astute knowledge of industry needs and who bring insights about underlying issues and the foresight to create solutions. One of these Next Gen Manufacturing industry champions is Rich DuPont, President of the strategic-planning firm Resource Development Associates and Chairman of our Board of Directors.
Another industry champion is Molly Kellogg, the Chief Executive Officer of Hubbard Hall, a specialty chemical manufacturer that has adapted over the years to customer needs. Kellogg became head of the 172-year-old family-owned business in 2014, but she had started working on the shop floor as a teenager, giving her valuable insight into trends from one generation to the next.
“With the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0, this is such a dynamic time for manufacturing,” Kellogg says. “And there are great opportunities for anyone, regardless of educational background, gender, or age, to forge a career in manufacturing. If anyone has been out of the workforce or in a different sector, now is the time to check out the industry and in particular, help write the next chapter in Connecticut’s rich, manufacturing history.”
Convening team members, like the Chamber, are supporting the effort to recruit manufacturers who are currently hiring to participate in the event. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 10. For more information or to register, contact the Chamber at 203-757-0701, or email [email protected].
This column originally ran in the Republican-American on Monday, August 16, 2021.
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Register Your Business for a week in September!
Perks are scheduled first come, first serve.
Since the launch of the Chamber Perks program in November, more than two dozen Chamber Members have taken advantage of this exclusive member initiative that allows you a unique and creative way to market your business.
Some of the benefits include:
- Social media marketing to more than 5,000 followers
- Personalized eblasts to 1,000s of recipients
- Live video and highlights posted to social media
- Earned media in area press (front page placement on the business section in the Rep-Am)
- Marketing on the Chamber website & more!
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Just One Member Referral Program |
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Enrolling Now: Leadership Greater Waterbury |
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We are now enrolling for our Leadership Greater Waterbury personal and career development program, which will begin in the fall. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about this program, where participants will get the opportunity to meet regional leaders, build lifelong partnerships, and develop a wide variety of leadership skills, please visit this page for more information. The deadline to apply is November 11. Orientation is November 17; the first class kicks off on December 15; and a graduation and alumni reception is planned for June 21, 2022.
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Thank You To Our Naugatuck Renewing Members in July |
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Griffin Faculty Physicians
Stokes Counseling Services
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Share your business events, news and announcements with your fellow Chamber members! |
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Hiring & Training Programs Available |
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
For more information, contact Joseph Violette, the Chamber's Director of Public Policy and Economic Development, at [email protected]
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PLUS: Need a Job Now?
NeedAJobNow.usNLx.com contains over 400,000 job openings and continues to grow daily. While many employers are downsizing their staff, others are significantly increasing their hiring efforts due to current demands. Through this initiative, DirectEmployers and National Association of State Workforce Agencies offers a way to bridge the gap between job supply and demand by offering an easy way for job seekers to gain access to current open positions and for employers to fill positions quickly and efficiently during these difficult times.
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Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training
Connecticut Hospitality Awareness Training, or CHAT for short, is an innovative, educational program developed by the Connecticut Tourism Coalition to train frontline personnel who work at attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that make up the Connecticut tourism industry.
The CHAT program features an introductory video and seven interactive, online modules. The program takes under 90 minutes to complete, although participants can learn the material at their own pace. Once a participant receives a score of 70% or better, they have successfully completed the CHAT program. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded from the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at a future tourism event.
CHAT's core curriculum features training on guest service and insight on why tourism matters. With greater knowledge, employees will understand how to best serve our valued guests. It is essential that Connecticut personnel are educated in their field to best represent our tourism industry.
Companies can sign up their employees to take the CHAT program for a package price of $10 per participant. Contact Frank Burns at the Connecticut Tourism Coalition at [email protected]. You will then be assigned a promo code to enroll your team in CHAT at chatcertificate.com
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