Developing Connecticut’s Future

The legislature is considering proposals that could help Connecticut develop its future talent pool.

HB 7007 puts into law the recommendations of state’s Planning Commission for Higher Education. It’s a key step to establishing a long-term plan to make sure Connecticut’s next generation is graduating with the degrees they need to fill the talent pipeline. 

Some are projecting that by 2025, Connecticut’s economy will require a workforce in which 65% will have some education beyond high school.  We’ve got a way to go–as of 2012, 47.5% of Connecticut’s population had an associate’s degree or higher. 

That means Connecticut needs an additional 300,000 graduates, above the current rate of production, even after taking into account people with degrees who move to Connecticut. 

This measure has made it through the committee process and is now waiting for action by the House of Representatives.

In an effort to meet that workforce demand, another positive bill (HB 6715) would have supported Connecticut entering into national reciprocity agreements for online learning with other states.  Students would have been given more choices when continuing their education, and help achieve the degrees Connecticut needs.   

Unfortunately, this bill died in the Appropriations Committee, a missed opportunity to increase the resources for Connecticut students to grow.  

For more information, contact CBIA’s Jennifer Herz at 860.244.1921 | jennifer.herz@cbia.com | @CBIAjherz