Press Release
New Investment To Help Grow the
Greater Springfield Precision Machining Cluster
Industry leaders working together to address shortage of skilled workers
WESTFIELD, MA (April 6, 2006) – A team of industry, state and local officials gathered today at Berkshire Industries, Inc. to announce new efforts to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified workers that will strengthen the precision machining industry in the Pioneer Valley.
"State leaders have recognized the importance and the benefit of having a healthy tool and machining industry here in the Commonwealth," said State Senator Michael R. Knapik.
The 18-month project, called RENEW, will attract skilled employees, build regional capacity through partnerships with higher education and the vocational schools, while also forming regional economic alliances that connect local companies with new state and federal opportunities.
“State leaders have recognized the importance and the benefit of having a healthy tool and machining industry here in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Michael R. Knapik. “I am confident these important funds for skilled workforce development will leverage continued growth on the side of industry in the area.”
Through a $150,000 grant from the John Adams Innovation Institute, the economic development division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County will work in partnership with leaders in the industry and the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association to grow this important regional cluster.
“The Governor’s Pioneer Valley Regional Competitiveness Council has worked closely with this region’s precision manufacturers to help them expand,” said Ranch C. Kimball, secretary of economic development. “These companies are major suppliers to the aerospace and defense sectors in Massachusetts and across the nation. This grant will address workforce challenges and help these companies continue to succeed.”
“We are proud to make this investment to support the precision machining cluster, which was identified as the number-one traded cluster by the Pioneer Valley Regional Competitiveness Council,” said John Adams Innovation Institute Director Patrick Larkin. “The prominent role of industry leaders throughout the region will ensure that this effort leads to new jobs and a stronger economy for the Pioneer Valley.”
The Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Tooling and Machine Association in Greater Springfield comprises more than 20 companies, employing about 900 skilled workers, with total gross sales in 2005 estimated to be about $110 million. Overall, the precision machine sector in the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts consists of more than 300 companies with about 7,500 skilled workers, according to a 2005 survey.
“We need people with high tech skills and mechanical abilities to build the components that go into evolving technologies and ultimately into finished products for industries such as aerospace and medical devices,” said Larry Maier, President of Peerless Precision and President of the Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Tooling and Machine Association. “There are tremendous career opportunities that await students, and this partnership enables us to take a fully integrated approach to developing the workforce we need for future success.”
“This partnership and the funding from the John Adams Innovation Institute will help us to upgrade the skills of those currently employed in this cluster,” said Bill Ward, Executive Director of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. “Leaders in the industry will develop innovative ways to increase their markets and apply the latest technologies to the manufacturing of precision components.”