Connecticut Delegation Calls for Investment in Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Education
WASHINGTON, DC (July 22, 2016) — Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) called on House and Senate conferees negotiating the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act to include provisions expanding the capacity of community and technical colleges to train students in the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Connecticut has 12 community and technical colleges serving thousands of students every year. These institutions can serve as a training ground and gateway to high-paying jobs in fields like aerospace, submarines, and biotechnology, all of which are located in Connecticut. Seven out of the twelve Connecticut community colleges currently offer programs in advanced manufacturing.
"Across the country, and especially here in Connecticut, people want to acquire the skills they need to be part of the 21st Century workforce," said the delegation. "Community colleges provide the perfect environment for these advanced programs and a pathway to good-paying, in-demand jobs. We believe these fields, which are already responsible for roughly 40 percent of economic output and employment and two-thirds of private sector research and development, represent the future of our country and we ask conferees to support our ability to educate the next generation of workers."
Different provisions of both the House and Senate bills being merged would benefit education and training.
The full letter is available here.