Connecticut has expanded its online workforce portal, CareerConneCT, including its intake portal, training programs, and a new marketing campaign.
CareerConneCT is a $70 million program that supports individuals through tuition-free job training, case management, supportive services, and employment assistance. The program is funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Jobseekers can enroll through the updated online intake portal, which connects them to reskilling, upskilling, or next-skilling opportunities in manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and other high-demand sectors. According to the governor’s office, once registered in the portal, participants will complete a brief skills inventory and then receive a career coach who will help them access training that meets their skills and interests.
“The online intake portal symbolizes an open front door to your new career,” Connecticut Chief Workforce Officer Dr. Kelli Vallieres said. “Connecticut’s workforce development system is open to serve all residents, and we encourage every job seeker to take advantage of this technology and the training it leads to. Signing up is fast, convenient, and the first step in your new career.”
A press release explains that the portal features a curated list of available training programs that will continue to grow as programs are scheduled and new programs are developed to meet additional employer demands for skilled talent. Training programs ranging from five weeks to ten months have already begun. The governor’s office said more training programs will be added in January. Trainings have been designed based on the hiring needs of employers, with a significant number of employers committing to hire graduates.
“We are building CareerConneCT to become one of the largest workforce development initiatives ever executed in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ve already received significant commitments from employers that are looking to hire thousands of workers across a broad spectrum of high-quality, good-paying fields. This is an opportunity for those who are unemployed or underemployed to receive no-cost training in an in-demand field and get connected to a job opportunity that is waiting to be filled.”
In addition to the online portal, the state is also launching a new “YOU” marketing campaign to raise awareness of the program. The new marketing campaign will collaborate with the existing statewide “Hearts and Minds” manufacturing marketing campaign. The marketing campaign is designed to recruit populations most underrepresented in the workforce, including black, Indigenous and people of color, people with disabilities, the re-entry population, opportunity youth, veterans, immigrants, and women.
“We listened and built the program to remove systemic barriers,” Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Anthony Barrett said. “For us to fill the skilled labor shortage, and move our state forward, we must engage vulnerable populations who are underrepresented in the labor market, and assure the diverse talent being sourced feels a sense of belonging.”
