We are half way through the session and the activity in the State Capitol has picked up. The same is true for the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, of which I am Ranking Member. Over the past few months we have held or scheduled forums and public hearings to help us tackle three major topics—workforce development, affordability of college, and a consistent transfer system of credits within our state college system.
{{more}}
A recent Pew Research Center study looked at labor data over a twenty-five year period and reported an increase in jobs that require more analytical, social, and management skills. Apprenticeships are a great way to gain those skills and the committee is examining how it can foster apprenticeship opportunities and partnerships for high growth, high demand jobs. Also, last session Connecticut invested heavily in the manufacturing sector through a multi-year legislative deal with Sikorsky. This investment in manufacturing will drive the need for skilled workers and an uptick in the need for manufacturing technology-teaching staff. Proposed legislation to allow for relevant employment experience to satisfy degree prerequisites is before our committee for consideration so that our manufacturing programs can be staffed and potential skilled workers can be trained.
Tuition at public institutions has grown faster than inflation. Useful higher education finance policy requires an understanding of the cost drivers. In an effort to understand the rising costs of tuition we have scheduled an informational forum to aid us in policy decisions. Textbooks and other educational resources are another expense that we are looking to reduce by authorizing the Office of Higher Education to set guidelines that would encourage digital use of textbooks and resources for students. And, for those who seek to work in public sector/organizations after college, we are hoping to pass legislation that will disseminate information on existing loan forgiveness programs for those sectors.
Lastly, much work has been done within our public institutions to encourage easy transfer of credits from one of our many community colleges to our four-year through pathways outlined in articulation agreements. The committee wants to examine a broader transfer program, perhaps through a common course-numbering system, for those who have completed and received an associate’s degree but have not enrolled in one of the available pathways. Attending community college for the first two years can provide financial savings and a myriad of other benefits. Common course-numbering will reduce the need to retake courses that have already been taken at the community college but denied transfer (courses that are often paid for through financial aid), a practice that is more common than should be.
Be it apprenticeship programs or college costs, I am committed to gathering information and having conversations about the direction we need to take to accomplish the tasks before us.
Anyone wanting to share their thoughts on this or other state matters can contact me at Pam.Staneski@housegop.ct.gov. Visit my webpage at www.repstaneski.com to sign up for my newsletter, email blast, or connect with me via Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepStaneski.