First Students Welcomed At MATCH: Manufacturing & Community Tech Hub

NEW HAVEN, CT —The first cohort of students enrolled in the new manufacturing training program in Fair Haven were welcomed at the Manufacturing and Community Technical Hub, known as MATCH Monday.

A new climate mural, created and funded through the Yale School of Art, was also unveiled on the exterior of MATCH’s new training facility at 20 Mill St.

MATCH is a new and innovative non-profit manufacturing and bilingual training facility dedicated to building a skilled local workforce. Building upon New Haven’s rich manufacturing heritage, MATCH offers an 'earn while you learn' program to students, providing contract manufacturing services as a vehicle for commercially relevant manufacturing job training and paid manufacturing experience.

MATCH coordinates comprehensive training, mentorship, wrap-around support, and jobs to the New Haven community. At MATCH, students and team members learn relevant manufacturing skills, machinery, and concepts while also being exposed to business and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Earlier this year, MATCH was among the first organizations to be awarded a grant through the City of New Haven’s Career Pathways Initiative, a career readiness and workforce development program. The program was designed to help connect New Haven high school students and young adults with meaningful career exploration opportunities. It provides them with the education, skills, and training needed to obtain specialty certifications and good-paying jobs within key professions and growing industries.

Mayor Justin Elicker, MATCH students, Chair of the MATCH Board of Directors chair Marcia LaFemina, board member Lindy Lee Gold, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, members of New Haven’s state delegation, Alder Sarah Miller and Yale School of Art Dean, Kymberly Pinder, among others were on hand for the first day Monday.