Appendix 5
Corporate Website Posts
“Whitcraft” is now “Pursuit Aerospace”
Whitcraft Partners to Provide Career Opportunities to the Previously Incarcerated
September 17, 2021 Workforce
Our success with the program can be an example to other companies
looking for qualified workers.
Back in 2019, Gov. Ned Lamont set out to recruit employers to hire
individuals who were previously incarcerated and have completed their
sentences. The shortage of qualified workers to fill jobs, especially in
the manufacturing sector, was well-known—and this program promised
to help employers find new talent while helping the post-incarnated to
successfully re-enter society. Whitcraft took advantage of the program
early on, and we have had great results.
It’s natural that there is some apprehension when hiring people who have
been incarcerated, but our experience has given us no cause for concern. As soon as the new employees get to work and start interacting with their co-workers, the hesitation disappears. One member of our team, Angel Torres, has become a great success story, and he’s now a recognizable face of the program. He actually came to us while still incarcerated, as part of a work furlough program. Once he completed his sentence, he went to work for Whitcraft full time, and he has become a valuable member of our staff.
You can read more about the program in this article on CTNewsJunkie.
com: https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2019/12/12/ 20191212_lamont_thanks_
employers_for_hiring_ex-offenders/.
Now that we are moving out of the pandemic, everything is ramping up and the workforce shortage is becoming a serious problem once again.
Whitcraft will continue to work with the Department of Corrections in this
great program, and we’re looking forward to finding more skilled, reliable
employees with their help.
We encourage all Connecticut manufacturers to consider participating in
this program. Providing training and employment helps those previously
incarcerated to reintegrate into society and become productive citizens,
and the workers we’ve employed have demonstrated the kind of
dedication and commitment that we always hope to find when hiring.
If you are having trouble staffing up post-pandemic, contact the
Department of Corrections and find out how to take advantage of
this fantastic opportunity.
“Do Well By Doing Good.” – Benjamin Franklin
Whitcraft Uplifts Communities and Takes Social Action
November 2, 2021 Workforce
Connecticut media outlets are spotlighting our success story in supporting people that are re-entering society post incarceration.
Our most recent blog post updated you on our successful program involving hiring people that are re-entering society post incarceration. We’re so proud of this initiative, and it’s setting a great example for other companies to follow.
The program has been receiving some excellent coverage in Connecticut media this month. The Hartford Courant published an article about Whitcraft’s success, interviewing program participant Angel Torres as well as our COO Jacqueline Gallo. According to the article, the most recent data show 6,238 manufacturing job postings, according to the state Department of Labor—up from 3,616 a year ago. Our program of working with the state to train and hire folks re-entering society post incarceration is cited as one effective way of addressing the workforce crisis while also uplifting the community.
NBC Connecticut also aired a great profile on Angel. In it, he opened up about the reasons for his incarceration and how grateful he is for the second chance he’s gotten here at Whitcraft.
We’re so pleased that this important program is getting the attention it deserves, and we’re proud of the role we’ve played in it. If you’re looking to implement a workforce program like this at your facility, contact us and we’ll walk you through it. Our partnership with the Department of Corrections has been one of the best business decisions we’ve made, and we want as many manufacturers as possible to take advantage of the opportunity, too.
Part 1
Appendix 6