1. Keeping Connecticut’s Workforce Competitive: Regional Initiatives
CBIA Economic Outlook & Summit
January 21, 2004
Judy Resnick, Director Workforce Development and Training

2. CBIA’s Role in Preparing a Skilled Workforce
CBIA Education Foundation Helping to promote the development of CT’s workforce through education and training
Workforce development as a continuum
Helping meet the human resource needs of business – today and tomorrow

3. CBIA’s Role in Preparing a Skilled Workforce
The importance of workforce development efforts
Changing nature of work
Global competition
Pace of technological change
Demographics
Workforce development a key element in economic development

4. CBIA’s Role in Preparing a Skilled Workforce
CBIA EF - two pronged approach
 K-12 school/education reform – CT state scholars program, ATE NSF grant
. Incumbent worker training and development– US DOL skill shortage and H1-B grants, NAM/Hitachi grants, employer services

5. NSF ATE Grant – connecting work and learning
 Goals
Expose teachers to cutting edge technologies
Help teachers update curriculum
Expose students to technical careers and skills needed in the workplace
Create ongoing partnerships between business and education

6. NSF ATE (continued)
3-year grant in partnership with CT Community College System, College of Technology
Train 44 teacher “leaders” – HS and CC math, science and technical teachers
Activities: teacher externships, industry lead workshops and tech expos.

7. CT State Scholars Program
Objective –
To encourage ALL high school students to complete a defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for a successful transition to college or university coursework or vocational-technical training necessary to enter today’s competitive job market

8. CT State Scholars Program (continued)
Pilot programs - New Haven and Danbury School Systems and Vinal Technical H.S.
Businesses partner with pilot school districts in support of program objectives
Business volunteers work as speakers, tutors and mentors

9. US DOL Incumbent/Dislocated Worker Demonstration Grant
Goals
 Help manufacturers to be competitive through a more skilled workforce
 Strengthen/support CC System Precision Machining Institute
 Create a business driven employment and training program
 Demonstrate effectiveness of training through performance improvement

10. US DOL Demonstration Grant (continued)
$2.2m Skill Shortage Grant
Precision manufacturing and Photonics/Telecommunications focus
Technical training for incumbent and dislocated workers
22 business partners

11. NAM/Hitachi Grants
Goal
Increase retention and advancement of low-wage, low-skilled workers
Strategies with 9 business partners
Human Resources policy/practice
Employee training
Employee support services

12. Employer Services - Capital Workforce Partners One-Stop
 Goal
Help link employers to services available through federal, state and local workforce investment system
Services include employer outreach, engagement and continuous improvement efforts

13. For further information contact:
Employer Intermediaries- a valuable resource linking employers to services available through the Hartford and Springfield Workforce Investment Boards
For further information contact:
Capital Workforce Partners
Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc.

14. US DOL H1-B Grant: A Statewide Initiative
 $3m, 3-years
Goals
Help pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector prepare a highly skilled workforce
Become less dependent on foreign labor
Create a national model
Partner with CURE (bioscience cluster) and CT companies

15. US DOL H1-B Grant: A Statewide Initiative (continued)
Provide research fellowships and tuition support for BS/MS chemistry and biology students Provide advanced skills training for scientists
Tuition reimbursement for Ph.D. candidates in small biotechs
Underwrite costs of advanced skill training for current employees