Hartford Business Journal

2014 | Doing Business in Connecticut 13 Connecticut's talented labor pool keeps employers globally competitive By Krystal Overmyer C onnecticut continues to be an attractive location for businesses thanks to its exceptionally educated and productive workforce. According to the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), employee productivity in Con- necticut is at an all-time high, with output per worker more than 33 percent above the national average. ose workers hold more degrees on average than other U.S. states — 36 percent of Connecticut's adult population holds a college degree. About 16 percent of adults hold advanced degrees, nearly double the U.S. average, according to a 2014 econom- ic report from Connecticut Light & Power. A matter of degrees Fueling the pool of skilled talent are the state's 40-plus higher education institutions. From Ivy League institutions to community colleges, the state's schools turn out graduates with the training and education needed to create a robust pipeline of workers. Larry Brown, managing partner at the Hartford-based recruiting firm Horton Interna- tional, notes that Horton and other headhunters view Connecticut as a strong source for top- notch executives. "ere are certainly many talented, well- qualified people here," Brown said. "Other search firms and companies come to Con- necticut because they know (talent) exists here, particularly in financial services." Working in close collaboration with busi- ness and industry, higher education institu- tions are tweaking their programs to produce graduates that better fit employers' needs and strengthen Connecticut's workforce. At the University of Bridgeport, career- oriented programs seek to break down the barrier between academia and the real world, said Leslie Geary, university spokeswoman. The university's fast-track online programs for working adults are the product of discussions between university deans and employers, she said. The online courses are taught by working profession- als and full-time faculty, offering practical, professional and up-to-date educational experiences. Other popular academic programs at the University of Bridgeport include busi- ness, health sciences and engineering. Each of those areas is infused with hands-on learning opportunities that help students gain the skills to successfully transfer to the workplace, Geary said. As dean of the UB School of Business, former banking executive Lloyd Gibson has worked to address employer demand for graduates with better so skills such as com- munication, networking and problem-solving skills. Team-based projects, networking opportunities and workshops with business leaders are among the ways the school is shoring up students' so skills. "At our school, we are aware that theory and practice come together for student success," Gibson said. Similarly, Central Connecticut State University in New Britain is incorporating more practical experiences in its academic programs, going "over and above" simple de- gree requirements, said Ken Poppe, director of the university's Center for Advising and Career Exploration. By embedding internships and leader- ship activities right into the curriculum, students get a dose of practical experience that appeals to employers. Employers are also embracing this strategy as a way to iden- tify potential new employees and grow their own workforce, Poppe said. At the end of an internship or co-op experience, employers "know what they are getting, and that young person has been able to settle into their cul- ture," Poppe said. "It's a win-win." Price advantages Joe Lacy, managing partner at the New Jersey-based site selection firm BLS Strate- gies, has worked for many years in the Connecticut market and advised RBS when it selected Stamford for its U.S. headquarters in 2010. Lacy said RBS's decision to choose Connecticut had everything to do with the workforce. "A company like that can locate in Stamford and have great access to high- skilled, high-end talent without having to be in Manhattan and pay significant rents," he said. Connecticut's talent is also broad. In the past, the state was recognized for having a workforce with deep insurance and financial services knowledge, and that's still true. But increasingly, according to Lacy, employers are starting to recognize Connecticut as a place they can have "access to that younger skilled and creative workforce" that may have experi- ence at one of the digital media firms located here, like ESPN or Blue Sky Studios. ❑ ›Educated & Productive Workforce A major selling point for the state is its workforce, which includes the thousands who graduate from colleges here each year. Pictured is the 2013 commencement at Connecticut College in New London. PHOTO/© CONNECTICUT COLLEgE, PHOTO bY KHOI TON

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