Connecticut

Project: Assessment of Opportunities for Technology-Based Centers of Excellence in Connecticut

Analysis: Connecticut Urban League Initiative, Inc.

Battelle was engaged by Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Inc to assist Connecticut in its planning and design of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), which had been recently formed to establish a national center of excellence to pursue (1) the next generation of technological systems for both military and civilian applications as well as (2) overall technological innovation, collaboration, and education for Connecticut. Battelle prepared a detailed analysis of Connecticut's industry position in a wide range of technology areas, such as power and propulsion, advanced materials, fuel cells and alternative energy, photonics, sensors and controls, biotechnology and medical devices. This involved development of a unique relational database of innovative companies found in Connecticut. Battelle also identified leading centers of excellence found around the nation in selected areas of technology to assist in the strategic planning efforts of CCAT.

Project: An Information Technology Workforce Strategy for the State of Connecticut

Client: Connecticut Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness

Battelle prepared a comprehensive information technology workforce strategy for the Connecticut Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness, which was approved by the Connecticut Employment & Training Commission and enacted in legislation by the General Assembly. Key elements of the strategy include the establishment of a Digital Compact and Digital Strategic Fund to enable Connecticut to be proactive and timely in approaching IT workforce development needs. The strategy broke new ground in helping Connecticut to understand the pervasive application of information technology across its traditional economic pillars, including finance, insurance, and manufacturing. Through extensive interviewing with industry and inventorying of Connecticut’s education and training providers, Battelle’s strategy identified serious gaps in the linkages between industry and education, and the needs for retrofitting the pipeline for developing IT workers. Battelle is now assisting the Governor’s Office of Workforce Competitiveness in the implementation of the recent legislation enacting Connecticut’s IT Workforce Development Strategy. Battelle is working to design pilot initiatives in the areas of IT school to career, IT internships for college students, IT certification of non-IT majors and transitioning non-IT workers into IT careers. Battelle is also working to define an operating structure for the Digital Compact and Digital Strategic Fund to be established.