First Group of New Britain School District Parents Complete Manufacturing Training at NBHS Manufacturing Engineering and Technology (MET) Academy

New Britain, Conn., June 21, 2024 – The city of New Britain is fortunate to have a long history as a manufacturing center. Building a pipeline of future workers to support this local industry is the goal of a partnership among:

• AVNA (formerly OKAY Industries)
• City of New Britain
• Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
• Consolidated School District of New Britain
• Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce
• New Britain Institute and its New Britain Industrial Museum
• Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC)
• State of Connecticut

Many local manufacturers struggle to find workers to fill open positions, so it’s important to introduce more people to the potential benefits of this high-paying career that doesn’t require a college degree. The group decided to offer hands-on learning about manufacturing jobs to parents of students in the New Britain school system. Interest in the training was double what was expected!
Participants met two evenings a week for six weeks at New Britain High School for training using the MET Academy’s technology. Upon completion in May, each of 25 participants earned a $300 stipend. They also received a free subscription to software they may continue to use for self-paced learning.
Connecticut State Senator Rick Lopes played an integral role in bringing the partnership’s idea to fruition. He explains, “I was very happy to obtain the funding to run this program that not only stresses the importance of vocational skills, but also targets the need to teach skills to entire families in order to assist them in becoming financially stable and independent.” A grant of close to $300,000 funded the Parent Manufacturing Training, along with equipment upgrades at the MET Academy.
Supporters of the MET Academy realize that keeping the school’s technology state-of-the-art will require ongoing funds. That’s one reason the MET Academy Fund was established at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. Anyone can support the programs with a gift to the fund.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information or to support CFGNB’s work, visit www.cfgnb.org.