Guest Blog: Sector Partnership Committee, Governor’s Workforce Council
Dear Regional Stakeholders in Education, Workforce, Community and Economic Development,
In 2019 our Governor signed an Executive Order making clear that if Connecticut is to be a place where all residents have fair and equal access to good jobs and a world-class quality of life, we as public systems and private sector leaders must work together. The global COVID-19 pandemic, the renewed calls for equity and inclusion, and the now much needed economic recovery make even clearer that our State’s health, jobs and vitality are all inextricably linked. We also know that State policy changes will not be enough for the change we need.
We therefore ask you, system and agency leaders working for change at the local and regional levels, to join us in making sure that our collective economic and social goals and policies are similarly inextricably linked. Specifically, we write to urge your ongoing participation in the #1 priority of the Governor’s Workforce Council: shared regional sector partnerships that harness the economic power of critical jobs sectors with the true potential of our education, training and economic development systems if coordinated.
We ask that you commit to the notion that place matters; that fostering deep, meaningful connections within regions matters. Whether communities are stressed or thriving, we believe it is the strength of regional collaboration and coordination around shared economic goals that will foster and sustain inclusive growth. This work will require each of us to be grounded in the places we call home, deeply attuned to regional economic assets and the opportunities and needed resources of residents. While Connecticut has truly outstanding examples of collaborations, specifically around our critical industries and talent pipeline needs, this commitment requires replication and scale. It will certainly require, at the state and regional levels, a departure from the silos, lanes and comfort zones to which we as independent actors can fall victim. This will require shared buy-in, agreement toward mutual accountability, and shared ownership of success. Along the way, when challenges arise, we must commit to digging deeper into our collective mission of ensuring a Connecticut that leverages and uplifts our collective resources while ultimately creating an economy that is equitable, fair, inclusive and sustainable.
As we proceed, we want to provide practical tools and mechanisms along the way. That’s why you are currently part of workshops, training and coaching provided by a team of Next Gen Sector Partnership coaches (a known and respected national model of regional sector partnerships). That team is also helping us as a Committee of the Governor’s Workforce Council commit to creating the right public policy conditions that support regional efforts, and by helping to bring critical public and private partners into the fold. We look forward to the work ahead.
Let us join to proactively invest in regional sector partnerships within our State, ultimately investing in the livelihood of Connecticut’s residents and continued vitality of our industries.
Sincerely,
The Governor’s Workforce Council – Regional Sector Partnerships Committee:
Jim Loree, Stanley Black & Decker, CEO (Committee Chair)
Marna Borgstrom, Yale New Haven Health, CEO
Kevin Graney, General Dynamics Electric Boat, President
Ravi Kumar, Infosys, President
Peter Salovey, Yale University, President