There are many more jobs than workers to fill them, according to U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who says a new Connecticut jobs training program funded by the federal government can help fill the gap.
"I think the pandemic put a light on the fact that we have a worker shortage," says Walsh. "The reality is, we had a worker shortage the day before the pandemic happened."
$70 million of federal American Rescue Plan funds are being used to launch CareerConneCT, which will back workers including those whose employment was lost or curtailed due to the pandemic. The program will provide short-term job training in manufacturing, healthcare and more.
"This program is vital for all of our employers across the state," says Dr. Kelli Vallieres, the state's chief workforce officer, "especially our huge employers-- they're hiring hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. But we've got small and mid-sized companies across our industry sectors that are also looking for employees."
Walsh helped launch the program with an appearance at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton. He was joined by three of the state's leading Democrats-- Gov. Ned Lamont, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Joe Courtney-- all of whom are running for re-election.
Courtney points out that CareerConneCT will be targeted at communities that are underrepresented in the workforce: "It's all about trying to size up the success that's here and also extend it to other sectors and other populations."
Retiring State Sen. Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) also came out to the program launch, saying CareerConneCT will be good for the state's workers and businesses: "To have Electric Boat be expanding with their new Columbia Class program, with the Sikorsky new helicopter, with Pratt & Whitney and now the emerging industry of offshore wind, we're going to need all the welders and support technicians that we can."
"The most common question I get from the Pentagon is," says Blumenthal, "'Are you going to have enough skill people to fill those jobs and make those submarines?' The most common question from employers around the state is, 'How do we find people with the right skills?'"
Short-term (5 to 12 weeks), free training programs will be offered by 19 different organizations. Those interested can inquire here.
