As industry leaders came together in Wallingford Thursday for the 2022 Connecticut Manufacturing Summit, the major issues up for discussion were supply chain snarls and an ongoing labor shortage.

A new report from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association found 87% of Connecticut manufacturers are having trouble finding and keeping employees.

Kathy Saint is president and CEO of Bridgeport manufacturer Schwerdtle Inc., which produces small orders of custom industrial parts. Saint says many of her clients and partners can't keep their floors filled.

The state's Chief Manufacturing Officer, Paul Lavoie says the number of people participating in Connecticut's workforce fell over the pandemic.

Manufacturers in need of highly-skilled STEM students say comprehensive high schools should also view manufacturing as a legitimate and lucrative path.

State officials say the long-term investment will pay long-term dividends.