Connecticut can boost its tax base by getting more skilled workers into the manufacturing workforce, the president of Okay Industries told Greater New Britain’s legislative delegation Wednesday.
“Our number one reason for not growing is workforce. We need more skilled people coming in so we can grow the top line,” Jason Howey said during a video conference sponsored by the Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce.
Howey said better tax incentives along with training focused on the manufacturing sector would go a long way to resolving Connecticut’s perpetual shortage of skilled manufacturing workers.
During the pandemic, Connecticut manufacturers have reported as many as 13,000 jobs going vacant because trained workers aren’t available, he said.