Connecticut's Skilled Workforce

Companies depend on Connecticut’s talented workforce to solve the challenges of tomorrow. With 38 world-class universities, including UConn and Yale, providing post-secondary and graduate education, and significant investments in research and collaboration, we’re developing scientists, industry leaders and innovators. Our talent is why we’re a home for 2 Fortune 100, 15 Fortune 500 and 25 Fortune 1000 companies1, the Insurance Capital of the World, and destination for foreign companies and startups. 

Connecticut workers are some of the most talented in the world, and the state is investing in multiple workforce programs, with the input of educational institutions and business leaders, to  ensure that they remain poised to fill the needs of the industries of the future. When there’s no room for error, design it, engineer it, build it in Connecticut.

“So, I think there are a number of advantages for doing business in Connecticut. Clearly the really most important thing is talent. We’ve got some really good schools - home grown talent. But also, our ability to attract people. It’s a great state to live in. I’m an example, my own experience in Connecticut has been terrific.” 

— Martin Mackay, Ph.D., Co-Founder & Chairman of Rallybio; former Global Head of R&D at Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Connecticut’s Workforce Development Program is led by the Governor’s Workforce Council, in partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development, AdvanceCT, and a number of other partners around the state. With the support of state government organizations and private sector partners, Connecticut offers custom workforce solutions to Connecticut’s employers. In combination with the state’s inherent workforce assets, Connecticut offers a compelling talent proposition for companies setting up operations in our state, boasting an educated population, skilled workforce seeking opportunities, and workforce support infrastructure to complement the talent pool and meet business needs.
 

Key Facts

 

highest percentage of adults with graduate or professional degrees2

 

for human capital investment4

 

best community college system in the country3

 

most productive workforce5

 

Governor’s Workforce Council

The GWC is a coordinated statewide strategy to build equitable, inclusive, innovative workforce with four priority areas focused on business leadership, education, equity and access, and data. Over 300 stakeholders are members/advisors to the Council, including business leaders, educators, philanthropic and community-based organizations. Training and funding are provided by state and local agencies, educational institutions, private companies, and other stakeholders, scaling to meet industry-wide needs and dynamic enough to respond to urgent workforce requirements, with a focus on workforce pipeline development for key industry sectors and training and placement for marginalized residents.
 

Workforce Partners

Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council is setting strategy and policy for the state’s Pre-K through retirement workforce pipeline, coordinating with businesses, educators, trainers, state agencies, workforce boards, nonprofits and others to ensure that Connecticut maintains the most accessible, equitable, aligned and high-quality workforce pipeline in the country.

These additional workforce partners are providing training to upskill workers and create opportunities for growth:

1WalletHub, 2024. 2U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1Y, 2023. 3WalletHub, 2024. 4Milken Institute, 2022. 5Defined as per capita GDP; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023; U.S. Census Bureau, 2023; AdvanceCT calculations.

Demographic Information