Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) announced his recent appointment to the Governor’s Workforce Council, which sets policy to grow Connecticut’s workforce pipeline and coordinates opportunities between employers, educators, state agencies and local non-profits. Sen. Haskell was appointed by Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven).
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our state, and I want to thank Senator Looney for this honor,” said Sen. Haskell. “Whether it’s a construction company, a hedge fund, an advanced manufacturing shop or a car mechanic, employers in Connecticut are saying the same thing — they struggle to find tech-savvy, highly-skilled workers to fill job openings. In order to help businesses grow in Connecticut, the public and private sector will need to work together and solve this problem. I’m looking forward to supporting policies that move Connecticut beyond the traditional K-12 approach to education and embrace the K-14 mindset that the 21st century requires. It’s time to recognize that the dollars spent on expanding skills training, stemming the brain drain and making higher education affordable for all are investments in our future. There’s so much work that lies ahead, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves alongside this esteemed group.”
The priorities of the Governor’s Workforce Council include creating a system where businesses set the state’s workforce agenda through robust partnerships with educators; partnering with educational institutions to ensure education is accessible, equitable and aligned with in-demand careers in Connecticut; developing support services increasing participation in the workforce through increased access to resources like childcare and transportation; and building workforce and education data systems informing students and job seekers about programs helping them enter or progress in the workforce.