BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL: Report calls for expanded effort to promote advanced manufacturing in New England - The New England Council

BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL: Report calls for expanded effort to promote advanced manufacturing in New England
As originally appearing in Boston Business Journal

BY ERIC CONVEY

New England lawmakers and business leaders should work together to position the region to receive federal help for expanding advanced manufacturing and to bolster the industry’s connections with educational institutions, a new report set for release today argues.

“Our hope is that this new report…helps drive a broader discussion among public and private sector stakeholders about how we collaboratively invest in and support advanced manufacturing to both promote sustained economic growth in every corner of New England and strengthen our regional competitive advantage,” James Brett, CEO of the New England Council, said in a prepared statement. The business-led group produced the report with Deloitte Consulting.

Specific recommendations include:

Get the federal government to site an advanced manufacturing center in New England.

Improve the public perception of manufacturing in part so more young people pursue careers in the sector.

Connect educational institutions with employers so graduates with the right skills can quickly fill open positions.

Convince officials in each New England state to set up an office to promote advanced manufacturing.

According to the study, Connecticut has the highest percentage — 72 percent — of advanced manufacturing jobs within its overall manufacturing sector. About 56 percent of Massachusetts manufacturing jobs were classified “advanced.”