Career Pathways Commission Releases Draft Modernization Plan

Employers have an opportunity to weigh in on the state’s career pathways planning in the coming weeks.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s Career Pathways Commission has been working to draft a five-year plan to strengthen, align, and accelerate education and career pathways efforts across the state. 

The group issued its first draft of recommendations for state leaders Oct. 1. 

The commission’s vision is to create a system where every learner has access to a clear path to a financially stable career and every employer can find the workers needed to grow. 

It is organized around four pillars designed to create a more connected system.  

Strengthening Career Readiness 

Among the draft recommendations is creating a common career-readiness foundation for learners across Connecticut.  

The proposal calls for a more consistent approach to career exploration, advising, workforce preparation, and durable skills development that helps students better understand the career opportunities that are available. 

The proposal calls for a more consistent approach that helps students better understand available career opportunities.

The commission also recommends expanding access to industry-aligned coursework, credentials, and dual-credit opportunities.  

The goal is to give more students access to courses and credentials that connect directly to workforce needs while creating clearer pathways between high school, higher education, training programs, and careers.  

Under the plan, employers would play a significant role in helping shape courses and credentials to reflect changing industry demands. 

Increasing Employer Engagement 

A significant portion of the draft focuses on increasing employer-engaged work-based learning opportunities.  

The recommendations envision more internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing experiences, and employer-led projects, while creating regional support systems designed to make participation easier for businesses–particularly small and medium-sized employers. 

The draft also outlines a broader effort to better align the state’s education, workforce, and economic development systems.  

Recommendations include creating stronger statewide and regional structures to coordinate career pathways efforts, improving data collection and accountability, addressing barriers that limit participation, and establishing a more unified approach to measuring outcomes for both students and employers. 

Next Steps

The draft sets an ambitious goal to ensure every Connecticut student has access to a career-readiness foundation and industry-aligned pathway by 2032.  

Several aspects of the five-year recommendation are still being developed.

Employers are encouraged to review the recommendations and submit feedback in the coming weeks.

Commission members and staff are also hosting three virtual meetings for the public to learn more about the draft and recommendations.  

• Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 pm  
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 11 am  
• Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 am  

Employers can also participate in one of two additional roundtables CBIA is hosting in partnership with the commission.

• Hartford Roundtable | Oct. 7 | 9-10:30 am
• Norwalk Roundtable | Oct. 27 | 9-10:30 am

Interested employers should register to share feedback.