Hobson & Motzer’s Human Resources Director, Asi Carmeli, Is a Panelist in Middlesex Moments Episode
In the latest episode of Middlesex Moments, the radio, TV, and podcast program from Middlesex Community College (MxCC), Asi Carmeli joins two other panelists as they discuss exciting career opportunities in the field of manufacturing.
The episode features a discussion among Steven Minkler, Chief Executive Officer of Middlesex Community College, sitting down with Asi Carmeli, Human Resources Director at Hobson & Motzer in Durham; Tracy Ariel, Manufacturing Program Director at MxCC and Manchester Community College; and Jeff Pugliese, Vice President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.
Click here to watch the episode on YouTube.
This program aired Wednesday, March 9 and Sunday, March 13 on WLIS-WMRD radio (1150 and 1420 on the AM dial; 97.3 and 105.3 on the FM dial; or at wliswmrd.net).
This episode is the first of four that are being produced this semester, together with students in Professor Rich Lenoce's Studio Television Production course. Upcoming shows will focus on:
- Women Leaders at MxCC (hosted by students Julia Noriega and Maia Carpentino)
- Professor Donna Hylton and her work with the Computer Information Technology program, the Tech Center, and STEAM Train
- Faculty Unplugged: “Down on the Farm” with Professor Rebecca Rist-Brown
Tuning In
The manufacturing discussion gets underway at the 7:28 time stamp. Asi is introduced at 9:19. He speak again at 12:50 and 26:58.
Creating Careers in 4,000 Companies
The video reminds us that there are over 4,000 manufacturers in Connecticut that employ over 160 thousand people. Manufacturing provides a viable, solid career ladder that offers a lifetime of employee advancement and growth.
The college, chamber of commerce, and manufacturing companies in this area of Connecticut are involved in an initiative called the “South Central Manufacturing Industry Regional Sector Partnership (SCMIRSP),” started from the Governor’s Workforce Council, which charged leaders throughout the state—in public and private sectors—with identifying key industry sectors in each region of the state to create comprehensive ways to support those sectors through retention, growth, and building of companies, along with supporting job creators and retainers.
Asi is one of four co-chairmen of the SCMIRSP, comprising 30 towns in CT, of this industry-lead initiative. One key area of focus is on human resources and resource talent development. Critical key skills that any of the 4,000 companies in Connecticut are looking for are similar across the board: good people who work well with others, who are mindful for solutions, with various skills specific to each manufacturer. A common need is for operators—entry level people who can come in and develop and grow into a career. There is, as well, the need for specific skills, such as engineers, machinists, quality people, etc.
The panel made the point that manufacturing today is very different than what it used to be—it is high tech, often using robotics and automation (as does Hobson & Motzer). This advanced equipment requires climate-controlled, clean environments. These companies need people of all skill and education levels. Asi asserted that these are good paying jobs with benefits, and that at Hobson & Motzer, “We want you to grow with us.” He further explained that Hobson & Motzer provides meaningful careers manufacturing medical device parts and components that make a difference—and help save people’s lives.
The video shows a segment about MxCC’s Skill Up program, which has been operating for two years. Hobson & Motzer and Vinyl Regional Vocational Technical School (among others in the SCMIRSP) participate in it. Vinyl is one of the technical schools that boasts alums from Hobson & Motzer and with which Hobson & Motzer still enjoys a very fruitful relationship with. Skill Up is a short-term (five to 10 weeks) training program designed by people in the industry to help educate people interested in beginning a career in manufacturing by training them with introductory skillsets required in manufacturing. The first graduating class had 100% job placement. The Skill Up program is free for students at the school.
Asi explains that Skill Up provides “foundational knowledge” in skillsets such as lathe and milling, hands-on hand tool and measurement device experience, OSHA 10 training, reading a blueprint, along with earning a Six Sigma yellow belt as part of the program, among other learning. Noted as well, is that some of the graduates Hobson & Motzer has hired through this program have already been promoted within the organization.
About Hobson & Motzer
To learn more about Hobson & Motzer, go to www.hobsonmotzer.com, or call (860) 349-1756 for more information.
Founded over 100 years ago, Hobson & Motzer has steadily grown in size, capability, expertise, and manufacturing efficiency. Hobson & Motzer is a vertically integrated manufacturer of precision metal components and assemblies and excels at precision metal stamping, coining, and CNC machining, as well as precision electro-chemical machining (PECM). It designs and builds complex progressive dies and offers a full complement of in-house secondary operations. The company’s infrastructure assures that its parts and critical projects will remain on quality, on schedule, and on time. Hobson & Motzer specializes in quality-critical precision parts and components, largely serving the medical device and other advanced industries. It operates two manufacturing plants with primary operations—and headquarters—centrally located in Durham, CT; with its Advanced Manufacturing Center in nearby Wallingford, CT.
