Funded by the state’s Tech Talent Fund, the TTA leverages seven high-impact strategic partnerships between local tech companies and higher education institutions to support programs meeting emerging needs which will close tech talent gaps, foster economic competitiveness, and promote the long-term growth of technology-driven industries in the state.

Hosted by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), in collaboration with the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF), and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), the summit was held September 19 at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine on the North Haven Campus.

The TTA program launched in 2022, but the seeds for TTA were planted many years earlier, said Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Chief Workforce Officer for the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy.

“When Governor Lamont first took office [in 2019], he understood that workforce development was one of the top issues that was going to drive the economy in Connecticut. In doing that, he started the first strategic plan,” said Vallieres. “What you see here today is one of the outcomes of that strategic plan that would not have been possible had we not done that foundational work.”

CBIA President and CEO Chris DiPentima said summit organizers were thrilled to see the large gathering of essential stakeholders representing all sectors tied to the state’s critical need for tech talent.  Over the past year, Connecticut employers have posted 48,000 job openings across 21 information technology-related occupations, a 25% annual increase, DePentima said.

“Meeting the demand of the tech talent is essential. Our economy cannot compete if we don’t meet this challenge,” DePentima said. “The state’s investment in the Tech Talent Accelerator is already paying dividends and building a model for additional initiatives.”

In his opening remarks, Governor Lamont said Connecticut must be “impatient and stay ahead of the curve” to retain its strategic advantage of having the world’s best-trained, most productive workforce. He said the current era of transformative change and rapid developments powered by AI requires leaders and stakeholders to take a broad view of technology in the state’s businesses and industries, including amazing new start-ups being generated by collaborative efforts such as the TTA.

“I’d think particularly carefully about how you apply these new technologies, and how you apply Artificial Intelligence to a lot of our businesses, to help them transform themselves,” Gov. Lamont said. “These are all industries that are going to need your expertise over the next generation to make sure that the technologies keep us at the very front of the pack.”

President Judy Olian said the summit was a celebration of the success of TTA and the many people responsible for developing and supporting the program.

“The real game-changer here is the Tech Talent Accelerator, which is enabling us to close the talent gap in crucial fields in Connecticut. It’s part of a vibrant statewide workforce development ecosystem targeted at varied fields that are in the emerging sectors of our economy in Connecticut where we are in dire need of qualified experts,” said Olian.

Olian noted Quinnipiac’s rapidly growing Cybersecurity program, which last year was designated as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Administration and Homeland Security, has benefited from two TTA grants.

“The professor that has led the TTA at Quinnipiac has been the tireless and fantastic Professor Fred Scholl, the head of our cybersecurity program,” said Olian. “With Dr. Scholl’s leadership, we’ve partnered with industries in healthcare and financial technology to launch a cybersecurity badging program tailored to the needs of these sectors.”

Olian also introduced Benito Kwadade. MS ‘24, a highly skilled cybersecurity professional specializing in compliance frameworks in the healthcare industry. As an accelerated 3+1 accelerated dual degree master’s program student, Kwadade will complete his master's in cybersecurity from Quinnipiac in December.

“One of the hallmarks of a Quinnipiac education is this combination of experiential learning with theory,” Olian said. “Those advantages of Quinnipiac and TTA prepared Benito to work in the field even before he’s graduated."

Kwadade said he’s grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Quinnipiac’s master in cybersecurity program and for the gains he’s made through the TTA program.

“The TTA offered me practical experience that you might have to work years to gain; through getting the practical experience directly from the classroom so it prepares you directly in your work. You’re able to handle work just like someone who has been in the workforce for years,” said Kwadade. “Programs like this are key to preparing the next generation of tech talent, and I’m excited to see how it grows from year to year.”

Through seven panel discussions and four networking sessions, the summit also focused on creating effective pathways for employment and ensuring the long-term success and adaptability of Connecticut’s evolving tech workforce.

The opening panel discussion on the TTA’s ability to bridge the gap between education and industry was moderated by Stanley Black & Decker Vice President of Business Development, Marty Guay. Guay is also the newly appointed chair of Connecticut’s Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Guay’s involvement with the TTA began in 2018 at the behest of Olian and then Stanley Black & Decker CEO James Loree, who were both BHEF members. Guay liaised with Gov. Lamont’s administration and helped to initiate the collaborative business and higher education networks of the TTA.

Guay moderated a panel that included BHEF CEO Kristen Fox; State Representative Gregg Haddad, Chair, Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee and Chair, NEBHE; Help at Home Chief Information Security Officer & Head of IT Infrastructure Chris Lockery; and Travelers Vice President of University Relations and Leadership Development Programs Bruce Soltys.

Fox said the TTA framework fosters a critical partnership between the diverse ecosystems of higher education and businesses which is supporting the developing needs of the tech workforce while creating opportunities designed around the needs of the worker and learner.

“We want to root those solutions in the assets, the communities, and the strengths that the different institutional and business partners have,” said Fox.