EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 7, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) and Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), announced the launch of the Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Ambassador Program – a collaboration of talented, young employees who play the role of manufacturing industry ambassadors to area youth.
Pratt & Whitney is the first manufacturer in Connecticut to support the Ambassador Program. Through the new program, Pratt & Whitney employees, typically ages 26 and under, will reach out to primary and secondary school students and deliver a powerful message – that manufacturing is a rewarding career path.
"CCAT strongly believes the Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Ambassador Program will have a positive impact on attracting young people to careers in manufacturing," said Elliot Ginsberg, president and chief executive officer, CCAT. "We're proud to launch this program, on National Manufacturing Day, together with Pratt & Whitney, a global aerospace leader known for supporting collaborations that inspire the next generation of talent and give employees a chance to make a difference in their communities."
"Pratt & Whitney is proud to collaborate with CCAT to launch the first Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. Manufacturing Ambassador Program, which will empower our employees to help inspire the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals," said Danny Di Perna, Pratt & Whitney senior vice president, Operations. "As we significantly ramp up production output to meet our customer demands, we are hiring in the state and across our global network and will continue to depend on a highly-skilled workforce to remain competitive in the 21st century. We encourage other manufacturers in Connecticut to join this important initiative to attract future talent to our industries."
Licensed and led by CCAT and funded by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut. Dream It. Do It. is part of The Manufacturing Institute's nationwide Dream It. Do It. campaign to dispel misconceptions about manufacturing and attract the creative, skilled young people needed to grow the industry.
The Manufacturing Institute promotes the Ambassador Program as a best practice to the national Dream It. Do It. network. According to The Manufacturing Institute President Jennifer McNelly, "Ambassador programs give manufacturers a high impact engagement strategy to improve the talent supply within their community."
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that creates and executes bold ideas advancing applied technologies, IT strategies, energy solutions, STEM education, and career development. By leading state, regional, and national partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations excel. Learn more at ccat.us, or follow CCAT on Twitter: @CCATInc.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.