October Marks Fifth Annual Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Manufacturing Month

Nearly 400 middle and high school students to join in interactive, hands-on events to learn about manufacturing careers. 

October marks the fifth annual Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. ManufacturingMonth, officially proclaimed by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to recognize the importance of the more than 5,000 Connecticut manufacturing companies to the state's economy and to highlight industry career opportunities statewide.

“With a state-of-the-art workforce, Connecticut manufacturers are bringing technological innovation to the market, increasing productivity and growing market share, sales revenue, and profitability,” Governor Malloy said.  “And in addition to our current businesses, we are continuing to aggressively attract more manufacturers to our state and help ensure that those who are currently here thrive.  Manufacturing has been a core sector and a driving force of Connecticut’s economy in the past, and it will continue to be so in the years ahead.”

Licensed and led by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) and funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is part of The Manufacturing Institute’s nationwide campaign to dispel misconceptions about manufacturing and attract the creative, skilled young people needed to grow the industry. 

During Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Manufacturing Month, nearly 400 middle and high school students will participate in two signature Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. events —Manufacturing Mania and Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit.

More than 200 middle school boys and girls from surrounding communities will join in Manufacturing Mania activities on National Manufacturing Day, October 7 at the Radisson Cromwell Hotel in Cromwell, Conn. 

The program will include displays from manufacturers and higher education institutions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, team-based competitions, and guest speakers.

For the Making It Real: Girls & Manufacturing Summit, Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is partnering with Dream It. Do It. Massachusetts and MassDevelopment’s AMP it up! to host about 150 middle and high school girls at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott Hotel in Windsor, Conn. on October 28.

The students will learn about manufacturing through interactive activities and hear from leading women in the industry, who will share their inspiring, personal success stories. The event will also include an educator workshop about incorporating positive female role models into the classroom. 

“Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. focuses on creating a positive image of today’s manufacturing, increasing awareness of rewarding manufacturing careers, and promoting STEM and 21^st century workplace skills,” says Sue Palisano, CCAT director of education and workforce development.

According to Palisano, since 2012 these unique events have introduced more than 1,800 middle and high school students and teachers to the wide variety of educational and career pathways that today's manufacturing offers.

Exploring made in Connecticut statewide

Manufacturing Month offers activities across the state that showcase the industry. Many manufacturing companies open their doors to the public with tours and open house events. And, Connecticut’s technical high schools and community colleges hold special events to introduce their manufacturing programs to prospective students.

To learn more about Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Manufacturing Month events go to www.ctdidi.com. See last year's Manufacturing Mania video at http://bit.ly/mfgmania2015.