DELAURO, MALLOY HOLD EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING ROUNDTABLE

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) was joined by Governor Dannel Malloy and local education, community and business leaders for a discussion about how to best work together to ensure that the curriculums offered will help prepare students for available jobs. Many local community colleges and vocational schools have already begun this process and offered their insights into how to improve and expand these programs.

Over 13 million Americans are currently unemployed. In Connecticut, the unemployment rate is 8.2 percent, with more than 54,000 workers out of a job for more than six months. In his State of the Union Address, President Obama proposed the Community College to Career Fund, which would foster partnerships between community colleges and industry to close this skills gap and help fill the available jobs with qualified workers. This kind of public-private partnership would work to address the immediate employment needs and the long-term sustainability and strength of our workforce.

"The need to create more jobs in this country is clear, but we also need to make sure we are filling the jobs that are available— too many jobs are going unfilled because our workers do not have the necessary skills. Our community colleges can help to close this skills gap by providing the needed practical training and skills development. But we must ensure that our local community colleges and business communities are working together and, as importantly, are supported by the federal government," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I have fought for federal job training investments in the past, and will continue to do all I can to help Connecticut's students and workers succeed in finding work and closing the skills gap."

"There has never been a moment when jobs and education have been more connected and dependent on one another," said Governor Malloy. "Our vo-tech schools and community colleges symbolize how we can use that connection to our immediate advantage. These schools represent a unique opportunity to make sure that our kids have the skills that employers are looking for, so that we can fill the jobs that are available now. I thank Congresswoman DeLauro for holding this roundtable and giving us an excellent opportunity to continue the discussion."

Congresswoman DeLauro and Governor Malloy were joined by representatives from Gateway Community College, Middlesex Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Housatonic Community College and the Connecticut Technical High School System, as well as from local Chambers of Commerce and businesses from across the 3rd Congressional District.