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Fairfield Student Learns Job Skills In Manufacturing Program At HCC

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Housatonic Community College’s advanced manufacturing program in Bridgeport is helping qualify several students for entry-level positions at area companies.

Tony Curtis of Bristol, right, a trainer at Wallingford’s Holo-Krome, explains the operation of the laser-measuring machine to intern and Housatonic Community College manufacturing student Nicholas Thommen of Fairfield.

Tony Curtis of Bristol, right, a trainer at Wallingford’s Holo-Krome, explains the operation of the laser-measuring machine to intern and Housatonic Community College manufacturing student Nicholas Thommen of Fairfield.

Photo Credit: Contributed.
Shawn Chevalier of Hamden, left, a trainer at Wallingford’s Holo-Krome, shows intern and Housatonic Community College student Richard Card of Beacon Falls how the optical comparator can help check the dimensions of tiny objects.

Shawn Chevalier of Hamden, left, a trainer at Wallingford’s Holo-Krome, shows intern and Housatonic Community College student Richard Card of Beacon Falls how the optical comparator can help check the dimensions of tiny objects.

Photo Credit: Contributed.

It is easier to find qualified entry-level job candidates because of HCC’s program, a representative of Wallingford’s Holo-Krome said in a press release. Holo-Krome manufactures fasteners in a 200,000-square-foot plant.

“It’s a great program,” John Brazil, Holo-Krome's manufacturing program manager/recruiter, said in a press release. “The program graduates are one step ahead of the rest: they know how to read blueprints, take measurements with a micrometer or calipers, and understand different materials – this makes a huge difference.”

“Our high precision fasteners are used in Disney rides, military vehicles, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, mining equipment and diesel engines. In these applications, failure is not an option.”

Brazil took on two student interns as a result of his visit to Housatonic’s Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center - Richard Card of Beacon Falls and Nicholas Thommen of Fairfield.

“It’s a situation that benefits everyone involved,” Paul Broadie II, president of Housatonic Community College, said in a press release. “It provides Holo-Krome with skilled employees and our students with jobs.”

Brazil added that he couldn’t be more pleased with Card and Thommen’s performances, and hopes to ultimately hire plenty of qualified local students for jobs at Holo-Krome. The company employees 150, and has about 20 rare openings due to a number of retirements and people moving on to other opportunities.

Card, Thommen, and other students in Housatonic’s advanced manufacturing program devote about 35 hours each week to day or evening classroom studies and on-the-job training.

Rich DuPont, interim director of Housatonic’s Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center, said in a press release that the one-year advanced manufacturing certificate program is tailored to meet the needs of employers in the Bridgeport region.

“We meet regularly with these partners to review curriculum, technology and adjustments for continuous improvement,” DuPont said. “Our instructors and educational assistants, all who have first-hand manufacturing experience, take pride in transferring their knowledge of machining operations to our students, ensuring that graduates succeed in manufacturing career pathways.”

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