Norwich-New London region sees record job growth NBC Connecticut [Video]

The job market in southeastern Connecticut is growing.

In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Norwich-New London region has the fastest growing job market in the state and the second fastest across New England.

Lawmakers say fueling this growth is the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative. The federally funded program launched in 2016 and has helped more than 3,400 people get a job in manufacturing across southeastern Connecticut.

“So, there’s ten different trades, some of the biggest ones are welding and machining, pipe fitting and ship fitting,” Michael Nogelo said.

Nogelo is the president and CEO of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, which coordinates this program.

“Depending on the trade, they run from five weeks to 10 weeks, they are intensive. So really, 30 hours a week of training,” Nogelo said.

Kamron Tefft went through this program in 2021, just two weeks after he graduated high school, and quickly began a career as a ship …