Higher Education Institutions To Launch Tech Programs

Fostering partnerships between businesses and higher education in the technology sector is the focus of a new grant initiative.

Talent Tech Accelerator grants are being funded by the Connecticut Tech Talent Fund, and will be used to implement new programs across Connecticut.

Members of the New England Board of Higher Education, Business-Higher Education Forum, Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, and Department of Economic and Community Development awarded grants to seven institutional partnerships.

“Connecticut needs tech workers to grow our 21st century workforce, and forming partnerships between tech employers and postsecondary institutions is a seamless way to ensure we are creating organic talent pipelines that grow our economy,” Connecticut chief workforce officer Dr. Kelli Vallieres said. 

State officials said they hope this grant helps Connecticut stay ahead as cybersecurity, virtual modeling, software development, and digital analytics emerge. 

“Skills in these areas are becoming increasingly important to all sectors of the economy,” said CBIA government affairs associate Ashley Zane. 

“Connecticut has thousands of open jobs that need to be filled with not just employees, but skilled employees.”

Recipients

Grant recipients stem from all corners of the state. Recipients are using the funds for programming that will focus on various areas of the technology industry.

According to a release from the state, Quinnipiac University, the University of Bridgeport, and Mitchell College will focus their attention on cybersecurity through the creation of accelerated programs and pathways. 

Quinnipiac University plans to launch an advanced cybersecurity badging program tailored to partners in healthcare, finance, and technology.

Quinnipiac plans to launch an advanced cybersecurity badging program with healthcare, finance, and technology partners.

Down the road at the University of New Haven, leaders said they will develop an embedded game design and simulation development program to leverage virtual reality skills.  

Data analytics will be the focus at the University of Saint Joseph. 

Officials there said they will develop a degree concentration tailored to the needs of Hartford-area employers.  

CSCU

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities are also part of the plan to increase competitiveness in the tech industry. 

“CSCU is excited to participate in this effort and is very appreciative of the resources and opportunity to invest in the professional development of our faculty and staff at the colleges and universities,” CSCU president Terrence Cheng said. 

System administrators are choosing faculty from two and four-year institutions to work with the Capital Area Tech Partnership and the Southwest Connecticut Tech Partnership directly. 

The group will analyze the demand for jobs and skills, and develop a program built off of the digital analytics micro-credential. 

“Partnering with NEBHE, BHEF, and the regional sector partnerships will help CSCU institutions ensure their programs are aligned to business needs and our students have the academic, technical, and personal skills needed in the IT workforce,” Cheng said.