Today, the Labor and Public Employees Committee voted to develop formal language for Senate Bill No. 5, “An Act Concerning a Workforce Pipeline and Job Creation.” A public hearing will be scheduled at a later date. The bill, co-introduced by State Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) will prepare the state’s workforce for well-paying manufacturing and technical jobs in Connecticut.
“I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues on such important legislation that focuses on creating jobs,” said Sen. Cohen. “Securing the future of the manufacturing industry is one of our top priorities. We want Connecticut manufacturers to grow and thrive. Concurrently, we want to create fertile ground on which to start a business and ensuring that we have an enthusiastic, eager and properly trained workforce is the way in which to achieve this.”
Senate Bill No. 5 will expand upon House Bill 5590 from 2018 which earmarked $50 million in existing Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA) bonds for transfer to the Department of Labor to fund a new Apprenticeship Connecticut initiative that develops workforce pipeline programs for training qualified entry-level workers for jobs with manufacturers and employers in sectors experiencing workforce shortages.
About Sen. Cohen: State Senator Christine Cohen was first elected in 2018 to represent the 12th Senate District which consists of Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison and North Branford. Christine is a small business owner; the proud owner of Cohen’s Bagel Company.