By Tiffany Williams –
HARTFORD, Conn. — Governor Ned Lamont is drawing a very clear line about what workforce development is supposed to look like in 2026 — and who, in his view, is actually doing it right.
Governor Ned Lamont on Friday announced that Marcia LaFemina, president of Penn Globe and leader of MATCH (Manufacturing Alliance for Community Training and Hire), has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Connecticut Workforce Champion Award for her exceptional leadership in advancing the state’s manufacturing sector and expanding equitable workforce opportunities.
“Marcia LaFemina represents the very best of Connecticut’s manufacturing leadership,” Governor Lamont said. “Through her work at Penn Globe and MATCH, she is preserving a proud legacy of American manufacturing while building modern, inclusive pathways into good-paying careers. Her commitment to innovation, community, and workforce development is helping ensure our state remains competitive and resilient.”
And that statement isn’t just ceremonial language. It’s a direct acknowledgment of a system that is actually functioning in a space where workforce pipelines often break down.
Under LaFemina’s leadership, Penn Globe — one of the nation’s oldest and most respected lighting manufacturers — has continued to evolve, not by abandoning its roots, but by pairing advanced technology with craftsmanship, sustainability, and local economic growth. At the same time, MATCH is not operating as a symbolic initiative. It is functioning as a pipeline.
MATCH is a nationally recognized model that creates pathways to self-sustaining careers in manufacturing for individuals facing barriers to employment in Greater New Haven. Through hands-on training, bilingual instruction, paid learning opportunities, and comprehensive wraparound supports, the program connects residents to meaningful employment while helping manufacturers meet workforce demands.
“Marcia’s leadership exemplifies what it means to build a workforce system that works for everyone,” Connecticut Chief Workforce Officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres said. “She has created a model where industry, community, and training are fully aligned – expanding access to opportunity while strengthening our manufacturing talent pipeline. MATCH is proof that when we invest in people, we drive both economic growth and community impact.”
What’s being described here is not theoretical alignment — it is operational alignment. Industry needs are being matched with real people, real training, and real access points into careers that sustain themselves.
LaFemina has championed hiring practices and training models that prioritize women, parents, young adults, residents of color, returning citizens, and individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. MATCH’s approach goes beyond instruction, integrating contract manufacturing with workforce training and reinvesting revenue directly into support systems like transportation, financial literacy, flexible scheduling, and continued education.
Governor Lamont’s proclamation underscores what is actually at stake. This is not just about one executive or one organization. It is about whether workforce development is performative or functional — and in this case, the state is pointing to a model it believes is delivering measurable results while reshaping access to opportunity across Connecticut.