Planning for a Future-Ready Workforce 

The newly updated strategic plan from The Governor’s Workforce Council aims to build the next generation of the state’s workforce.

The Work Forward: Pathways for Growth plan features recommendations focused on building an equitable, inclusive, and innovative workforce that meets the needs of the current economic environment and has the ability to adapt to the needs of the future.

“This plan showcases Connecticut’s vision as an adaptable, innovative workforce ecosystem,” said council chair Ryan Drajewicz at the April 22 Connecticut Workforce Summit.

“Our plan calls for a future-ready workforce.”

“The work that we’re doing is to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are as a student or an adult, has the on-ramps to opportunities to learn and gain the skills that they need to take them to that next step in their career ladder,” added Office of Workforce Strategy chief workforce officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres. 

Strategic Plan

The plan notes Connecticut’s 65% labor force participation rate is above the national average, but the state faces a shortage of skilled workers to meet demand in high-skilled growth sectors. 

The plan notes that targeted workforce strategies like skill can help expand the pool of skilled, talented workers. 

“We want to make sure that there is access, accessibility and opportunity for every state of Connecticut resident to engage in meaningful work and build a bridge to prosperity for themselves and their families,” said Vallieres. 

Vallieres highlighted the state’s investment in workforce development, including the $70 million in CareerConnect job training initiative. 

“We’ve exceeded every metric that we’ve set,” she said.

“We’ve served almost 8,000 people, and 77% of those that have gone through the training programs are gainfully employed, and there’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all of them are gainfully employed.”

‘Important Step‘

With 72,000 open jobs in the state, CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima highlighted the need for workforce development programs and strategies. 

“Connecticut needs more creative policymaking and programs to attract younger skilled workers to grow our talent base scale and better align career pathways and expand opportunities to underserved and sometimes forgotten populations,” he said during the summit. 

“This strategic plan from OWS and the Governor’s Workforce Council plan is an important step.”

CBIA Foundation’s Dustin Nord

In its Opportunity Connecticut long-term economic action plan, the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity identified the need for a coordinated, statewide effort to promote the skills employers need while leveraging existing assets in the state’s world-class education system.

“This strategic plan from OWS and the Governor’s Workforce Council plan is an important step in that direction, emphasizing skills-based learning and ensuring multiple pathways to success for Connecticut’s workers,” said foundation director Dustin Nord. 

Drajewicz said the updated plan builds on previous efforts and “serves as a directional guide of where we need to be going, which begins with strategically positioning the state to meet the demands of today.”

Objectives and Strategies

OWS will implement the strategies and objectives outlined in the plan including driving growth, building skills, and expanding access. 

The strategies included in each objective are:

• Objective 1: Drive Growth
  • Align workforce initiatives with industry needs
  • Increase access to quality jobs 
  • Use data to drive impactful growth 

• Objective 2: Build Skills
  • Expand early career exposure and exploration opportunities 
  • Increase opportunities for high school students to gain early college and career experiences, skills and college credits
  • Increase opportunities for postsecondary learners to gain career-ready skills, experience, and credentials 
  • Increase opportunities for adult learners to gain in-demand workforce skills and credentials 
  • Partner with employers to upskill their current workforce 

• Objective 3: Expand Access
  • Remove barriers to education, training and employment 
  • Strengthen ways for adult learners in need to gain basic skills 
  • Create accessible digital gateways to workforce opportunities 

“Ultimately, the goal of this plan is to build a resilient, skilled and future-ready labor force that supports economic growth, attracts and retains businesses and improves the quality life of all our residents,” said Drajewicz.