Senate Approves Bill To Improve Workforce Development In CT

Press release from CGA:

June 14, 2021

The state Senate voted and passed a bill that increases access to high-quality jobs that meet the demands of today's nature of work. Senate Bill 881, 'An Act Concerning Workforce Development,' will make Connecticut the 13th state to provide an "auto-admission" program for public higher education in Connecticut. State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined the Senate in approving the legislation.

"Connecticut's greatest strength is its highly educated workforce," said Sen. Maroney. " This bill ensures we will continue that advantage in to the future, and that we match the skills of our residents with those that are needed by our businesses, as a quality workforce is essential for a successful business climate."

Senate Bill 881 would create the Connecticut Automatic Admissions Program, which would consist of an online application form for students to apply to public universities in Connecticut. That application would also inform students of information and resources regarding college admissions and financial aid and the net cost of completing a bachelor's degree program, graduation rates and average earnings for graduates. Thresholds for admission will include class rank percentile, grade point average, or a combination of GPA and performance on college readiness assessments like the SAT.

Students who meet or exceed academic standards set by the state, qualify as in-state students, are in their last year before graduation in high school and earn a high school diploma, will automatically be accepted as a full-time, first-year student for an in-person bachelor's degree program at Western Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, and Central Connecticut.

Also, under this bill, a CTPASS system will be created. This allows the Department of Transportation to come up with agreements with state universities and private employers to create passes that will allow employers and students at higher-ed institutions to ride on Connecticut's public transit system. This bill also creates a system that will collect data on existing employees and students to help better invest in future workforce development and education programs.

This press release was produced by CGA. The views expressed here are the author's own.