Press Releases
Governor Lamont Announces Seven New Technology Education Programs at Connecticut’s Public and Private Colleges and Universities
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the creation of seven new technology education programs at Connecticut’s public and private colleges and universities. To see also : How to start a business: Do these 5 things first. The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF), in collaboration with the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, awarded grants to seven business and higher education partnerships in Connecticut as a part of an initiative to rapidly increase the competitiveness of the state’s post-secondary institutions and meet increasing demand for technological skills.
The Tech Talent Accelerator initiative was funded by the Connecticut Tech Talent Fund (administered by the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development) to close this gap by promoting targeted, high-performing partnerships between business and higher education in emerging, high-tech technical skills. areas such as cybersecurity, virtual modeling, software development and digital analytics that are critical to business growth in the state.
The seven Tech Talent Accelerator receivers and their focus areas are:
“Bringing our teachers to the same table as our businesses has been a priority for our administration since day one,” Governor Lamont said. “Allowing companies to formulate the types of skills they need and work with Connecticut’s top educational institutions to create new programs that put people in high-quality careers is how we build a nation-leading workforce.”
“The Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy and the Governor’s Workers’ Council have formed regional sector partnerships across the state that consist of Connecticut’s best employers who articulate and adapt the skills they need to fill their most in-demand talent,” said Dr. Kelli Vallieres, Head of Workforce. from the state of Connecticut, said. “Connecticut needs technology workers to grow our workforce in the 21st century, and forming partnerships between technical employers and high school institutions is a seamless way to ensure we create organic talent pipelines that grow our economy.”
“Technical talent is critical to businesses across all sectors in Connecticut,” said Martin Guay, vice president of business development for Stanley Black and Decker and co-chair of the Hartford-based Capital Area Tech Partnership, one of the state’s regional sector partnerships. “Tech Talent Accelerator helps our state quickly increase its capacity to deliver the talent needed to keep our businesses competitive in Connecticut. Through this investment, the entire business community will reap the benefits of hiring diverse, well-trained, ready-to-work technological talents with the specific skills are necessary for our businesses through the state’s public and independent institutions for world-class higher education. “
“CSCU is pleased to participate in this effort and greatly appreciates the resources and opportunity to invest in the professional development of our faculty and staff at colleges and universities,” said CSCU President Terrence Cheng. “Collaboration with NEBHE, BHEF and the regional sector partnerships will help CSCU institutions ensure that their programs are tailored to business needs and that our students have the academic, technical and personal skills needed in the IT workforce.”
“The independent colleges of Connecticut are eager to support the business community in the state by developing new programs that provide training in high-tech, in-demand skills,” said Jen Widness, president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges. “We are grateful for the cooperation with the state, NEBHE, BHEF and CSCU in the launch of the Tech Talent Accelerator initiative.”
