Archived News

2024

1/26/2024 – Norwich Free Academy students, grads land jobs after manufacturing pipeline training
1/29/2024 – Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative on display during Labor Secretary Julie Su’s visit
2/2/2024 – Passing a Bipartisan Tax Bill to Bring Relief for Families & Small Businesses
- A video of Rep. Courtney speaking on the House floor about the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act and efforts by EWIB’s Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA) RSP and EAMA RSP member Westminster Tool to advocate for the restoration of the historic tax treatment of research & development investments under the bill.
2/21/2024 – Opinion: For youth, CT’s ‘Quiet Corner’ is becoming the ‘Forgotten Corner’
- Op-ed by EASTCONN Executive Director (and EWIB Board member) Eric Protulis and Director of Adult & Community Programs Kristin Hempel (2/21/24), “For youth, CT’s Quiet Corner is becoming the Forgotten Corner” cites EWIB’s youth pipeline programs and Summer Youth Employment Program for their effectiveness serving at-risk and disconnected youth. The op-ed urges State lawmakers to increase funding for these and other programs that increase youth employment and engagement. EWIB President/CEO Michael Nogelo is quoted saying, Investments in programs that engage opportunity youth in career pathways provide a positive return for our young people, our employers and economy, and our communities.
2/22/2024 – EB hired over 5,000 people last year and plans for more hiring in 2024: what jobs are open
- “The “secret weapon” in EB’s hiring are career pipelines, including the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative.”
2/29/2024 – EWIB Winter 2024 Update e-newsletter
3/16/2024 – Idaho christened at EB amid unprecedented demand for workers
- Features Rep. Courtney discussing the demand for submarines and highlighting the MPI as a national model for recruiting unemployed or underemployed workers with no prior manufacturing experience.
4/2/2024 – US Department of Labor to award up to $67.1M to help youth, young adults with disabilities overcome obstacles to employment
- Announcing the award of the CT Dept. of Labor’s (CTDOL’s) application for a USDOL Equitable Transition Models Demonstration Grant. EWIB will partner with CTDOL to build on EWIB best practices to develop innovative activities that increase career development services, work-based learning opportunities, and employment for marginalized youth and young adults with disabilities.
4/9/2024 – U.S. House OKs bill to help grow CT workforce, manufacturing sector
- Discusses passage by the House of the ASWA, mentions EWIB and the MPI, and quotes EWIB President Nogelo.
9/20/2024 – Eastern CT youth find purpose and opportunity in CT Youth Employment Program

2023

1/19/2023 – Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board gets new president and CEO
- “The Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board announced Tuesday that its board has unanimously appointed Michael Nogelo as president and CEO, following a search process that ended in late 2022.”
2/7/2023 – EWIB receives the “Non-Profit of the Year” Award from the Greater Norwich Area’s Chamber of Commerce
4/1/2023 – Electric Boat Plans to Hire 5K This Year, Partners With High Schools for Recruitment
- The MPI has trained and placed more than 1,000 workers at EB and hundreds more at EB’s local suppliers.
4/8/2023 – Electric Boat looking to hire 5,750 new workers this year in CT and RI facilities
- With EB’s high hiring demands this year, the Eastern Workforce Investment Board will offer more programs this year, not just for EB, but for all the manufacturers in the area.
4/19/2023 – Face the Facts: Electric Boat to Build Australia’s First Nuclear Powered Submarines
- Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2nd District) explains how Electric Boat in Groton will be involved in a new international deal to build Australia’s first nuclear powered submarines, and the efforts to train and recruit thousands of people to do the work.
6/1/2023 – East Lyme gets behind workforce training push
- High school students get opportunity to pursue trades in the classroom.
7/26/23 – Demand far outstrips summer youth job slots in New London
- “The CT Youth Employment Program is an Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board offering that EASTCONN, a nonprofit regional educational service center, conducts in partnership with New London Youth Affairs and Norwich Youth & Family Services to offer jobs to Eastern Connecticut participants between ages 14 and 24.”
8/21/2023 – More CT employers embrace apprenticeships to tackle labor shortages
- “Osten said she’s seen firsthand the impact of the Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, run by the Eastern Workforce Investment Board Partnership, which provides no-cost training to address the hiring needs of Electric Boat and other manufacturers in that region.
10/11/2023 – With an ‘incredible appetite’ for labor: Electric Boat recruits locally, eyes Hartford and New Haven
- Data obtained from the Eastern Workforce Investment Board – which oversees eastern Connecticut’s primary manufacturing pipeline – indicate that just one in 10 workers who come through the pipeline end up at a local manufacturer. The rest go to EB.
10/16/2023 – Groton program training adults for skilled manufacturing jobs
- The state of Connecticut has implemented a manufacturing pipeline program to train adults for roles in mechanics, machining, welding, and other skilled trades. The program has seen success with participants securing jobs after completion.
10/22/2023 – When it comes to sub jobs, the sky’s the limit
- Reports on EWIB scaling up the Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (YMPI) to encourage more high school students to learn manufacturing skills. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) is quoted as saying of the YMPI, “This thing is really going to percolate into the other high schools. They’ve got to make this generational. They’re going into the elementary and middle schools, too.”
10/23/2023 – Opinion: Building the future of manufacturing in CT
- While commemorating National Manufacturing Month, I realized something special was happening in Connecticut while sitting in on a class at Grasso Tech in Groton. I was there to talk to students enrolled in the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, a program that has trained and placed over 4,000 people in jobs that pay well over minimum wage since 2016.
10/24/2023 -Worker Skills Gap Fuels Fight Over $3 Billion US Training System
- Givens Louis-Jean, a participant in Connecticut’s Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, trains for a well-paying job. This program, funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, aims to fill the nation’s skills gap. However, the program’s effectiveness is debated, as lawmakers grapple with reauthorization amid a tight labor market and economic shifts.
11/27/2023 – 2023 Innovator: Murphy leads Electric Boat’s ‘once-in-a- generation’ hiring spree
- Profiles EWIB Board Member Courtney Murphy, highlighting her leadership in Electric Boat’s growth and the vital role the MPI has played in enabling that growth.
12/15/2023 – More Bipartisan Wins
- More Bipartisan Wins highlights the advancement of two workforce bills. Federal resources through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) have fueled the success of EWIB’s Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative. The bipartisan Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA) and the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act advanced this week would expand training opportunities to more learners and ensure employers can access high-quality candidates for years to come. This newsletter followed the Congressman’s earlier press release highlighting the draft legislation and quoting EWIB President Michael Nogelo describing the Committee’s passage of the ASWA bill as an important first step toward updating our nation’s primary…

2022

1/13/2022 – Eastern Conn. program serves as example as state puts $70 million into workforce training
- The Bulletin article (01/13/22), “Eastern Conn. Program serves as example as state puts $70 million into workforce training.” The article reports on the recently announced (01/05/22) Career ConneCT program. Dr. Kelli Vallieres, CT Office for Workforce Strategy Executive Director, is quoted stating, “. . . the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative has been an inspiration for Career Connect, as it ‘has gained national recognition, and showed effectiveness when applied in its entirety.’” EWIB President/CEO Mark Hill is quoted throughout the article providing the Board’s position on the state’s historic investment in workforce training.
1/14/2022 – Cardona, Courtney visit Groton schools to discuss career and technical education
7/4/2022 – Columbia keel laying proves our region gets big things done
- The Day Op-Ed article (07/04/22): “Columbia keel laying proves our region gets big things done.” EWIB and the MPI are noted in the article as, “ . . . help[ing] fuel that blitz, of course.”
7/24/2022 – Jobs program a win-win for teens, employers
- The Day front page article (07/24/22), “Jobs program a win-win for teens, employers ~ Younger workers help alleviate labor shortage.” The article informs readers about EWIB’s 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program. EWIB Chairman Chris Jewell is quoted in the article providing the Board’s position on the growing importance the SYEP has on the region’s labor force.
8/7/2022 – As the Connecticut jobs picture brightens, some see hope for young workers. Here’s why.
8/17/2022 –In Groton, labor secretary praises workforce development program
- Sample of media coverage of U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh visit to the region The Day front page article (08/17/22), “In Groton, labor secretary praises workforce development program ~ Walsh says CareerConneCT should be national example.” Media coverage for the visit was strong and included local, state, and national publications, television, radio, & social media.
8/31/2022 -Program to create 6K critical jobs
- “CareerConneCT was modeled after the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative from Franklin-based Eastern Workforce Investment Board, which is being granted $7.85 million, and is expected to have a similar economic impact.”
10/16/2022 -In eastern CT, Electric Boat military contracts launch economic boom
- “…submarine work is now on the upswing once again, and Eastern Connecticut — a region with 41 towns and a population of roughly 435,000 — is steadying for the boom.”
10/31/2022 -How to develop the ‘workforce of tomorrow’ for Conn. manufacturers? Start in kindergarten.
- “…the Eastern Workforce Investment Board’s expansion of the Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative […] now trying to spark interest in middle school-aged students.”

2021

1/3/2021 – Three Rivers receives grant for EB course
- The Day article (01/03/21), “Three Rivers gets grant for Electric Boat course ~ Collaboration comes as company seeks welding support at Quonset Point site.” The article reports on a contract the College was recently awardedto develop & teach a welding course that includes a U.S. Dept. of the Navy certification to Electric Boat (EB) workers. EWIB and the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) are both named in the article.
2/18/2021 – Connecticut needs thousands of skilled workers to build nuclear submarines in coming years. Job training is available for unemployed workers.
- Hartford Courant article (02/18/21): “Connecticut needs thousands of skilled workers to build nuclear submarines in coming years. Job training is available for unemployed workers.”
2/26/2021 – Workforce Training a Priority in Southeast CT Ahead of Historic Submarine Production
- NBC CT story (02/26/21), “Workforce Training a Priority in Southeast CT Ahead of Historic Submarine Production ~ Groton-based General Dynamics Electric Boat is facing the largest amount of contracted work in the company’s history.”
3/7/2021 – ‘So many success stories’
- Sunday Bulletin front page article, “So many success stories ~ As many industries falter during COVID-19, MPI is filling in-demand manufacturing jobs” (03/07/21). The article focused on its key role in supplying workers to the manufacturing industry.
3/27/2021 – Lamont’s commitment to job training delivers early dividends
5/5/2021 – Cabinet secretaries hail EB effort, EB touts apprenticeship program for visiting officials
- The Day front page article (05/05/21): “Cabinet secretaries hail EB effort ~ Raimondo, Walsh learn about apprenticeship program during visit.” The article reports on the 05/04/21 visit by the U.S. Secretaries of Labor & Commerce to Electric Boat (EB) to learn about the company’s apprenticeship program. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT 2^nd Dist.) and others noted EWIB and the role of our Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) during their remarks.
7/25/2021 – Sen. Murphy: Manufacturing is Connecticut’s future, if we’re smart about it
9/17/2021 – Courtney: ‘Broken childcare system’ underlines eastern Connecticut hiring woes”
- The Bulletin article (09/17/21), “Courtney: ‘Broken childcare system’ underlines eastern Connecticut hiring woes,” The article lists EWIB and notes EWIB President/CEO Hill providing the Board’s position on utilizing any potential funding received from President Biden’s proposed budget towards an expansion of the MPI to other industry sectors.

2020

2/4/2020 Courtney invites Beauregard to State of Union Address
3/5/2020 – Pipeline program earns honor
7/3/2020 – Connecticut youth employment program expands by $2 million
- The Bulletin article, “Connecticut youth employment program expands by $2 million,” dated Jul. 3, 2020. The article quotes EWIB President Mark Hill providing the Board’s position on the significant impact additional state funding will have on this year’s EWIB Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
7/4/2020 – Workforce board president steps down
7/27/2020 – Education, business leaders seek diversified workforce
- The Day article, “Education. Business leaders seek diversified workforce,” dated: Jul. 27, 2020. The article quotes EWIB President/CEO Mark Hill remarking on the importance of a diversified workforce.
12/21/2020 – What do we get for the billions spent on job training? Connecticut wants to know.
- Hartford Business Journal article, “What do we get for the billions spent on job training? Connecticut wants to know.” (12/21/20). The article reports on Connecticut’s workforce development system. EWIB and our Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) are named in the article. “’Since it started in 2016, we’ve up-skilled, re-skilled and re-employed over 1,500 people. And in the course of doing that, we’ve generated over $50 million in wages,’ said [Kelli] Vallieres, one of the manufacturing executives who helped develop the pipeline.”

2019

1/6: Manufacturing Pipeline connects seekers, jobs

3/21: RHAM students take to lathes, milling machines in advanced manufacturing class

4/7: Region’s pipeline program paying off

4/16: Advice to high schools from Connecticut manufacturers desperate to fill jobs: steer students away from college

4/17: U.S. Labor secretary lauds local job training program

4/17: Acosta praises training program

4/17: U.S. Labor Secretary Commends Eastern Connecticut ‘Earning and Learning’ Manufacturing Pipeline

5/29: EWIB chief set to retire next year

6/6: Project taking on poverty

7/16: “Pipeline Initiative” Provides Intensive Training For Manufacturing in Eastern Connecticut

9/6: Officials: new Grasso Tech building will prep students for workforce

9/27: Eastern Connecticut’s Manufacturing Pipeline getting rave reviews

9/28: Manufacturing jobs grow in eastern Conn.

10/10: Eastern Connecticut leads state in manufacturing job growth

10/14: Seasons: Making things right

10/19: Healthcare officials consider nursing pipeline

11/30: Region to get plastics manufacturing training program

12/9: As CT begins next round of $50M apprenticeship program, some say funding is woefully inadequate to fill manufacturing jobs pipeline

“Skill Up, which has trained about 100 people and placed about 50 in manufacturing jobs, is modeled after the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board’s (EWIB) four-year-old Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, which is considered an industry gold standard. EWIB received $3.5 million in Apprenticeship Connecticut funds during the initiative’s first year.”

2018

1/11: Osten right about preparing for EB growth

2/11: Solving Connecticut’s workforce challenge requires focus, collaboration

5/21: Employment & Training Reporter

5/27: NFA students join pipeline of talent

6/27: More girls ‘go for it’ in mostly male fields

7/17: Officials celebrate new job center in Montville, talk manufacturing gains

7/29: Job center invaluable to region

8/18: EWIB: Your Pipeline to Employee Success

8/27: Building Connecticut’s Workforce Pipeline

10/30: Business leaders discuss successes, challenges of growing the workforce

11/29: seCTer breakfast focuses on region’s strengths