Gentile applauds House passage of workforce development bill

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, applauds the House passage of a bill she co-sponsored that supports workforce development initiatives in the state.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

“In order to improve the effectiveness of our workforce development, we have to evaluate our economy and study the ways in which we can strengthen our labor force,” Gentile said. 

“Connecticut needs to focus on creating job opportunities through education and training and this bill will work to provide the necessary services that will help Connecticut be competitive and prosperous.”

Senate Bill #5590 will: 

• Allow the commissioner to establish a working group to review business support services in the state. The working group would review the services offered by such agencies and consider ways to better coordinate such services that will benefit businesses in the state. 
• Require the labor commissioner to develop and implement a universal intake form that each person entering any American Job Center or regional workforce development board facility must complete.
• Create the Connecticut Early College Opportunity program (CT-ECO), which is defined as collaboration between a school district's high schools, a local community college, and a company or business entity where a student may earn an industry-recognized, two-year post-secondary degree in addition to a high school diploma.

The bill now heads to the governor's desk to be signed into law.     

This is a press release from Gentile's office.