Connecticut technical high schools prepare students for modern workforce

The Connecticut Learns and Works Conference was held on Friday in Rocky Hill, drawing educators, counselors, employment and training specialists interested in career and workforce development.

ROCKY HILL >> The transformation of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System was the focus on Friday during a breakout session of the Connecticut Learns and Works Conference for those invested in workforce development.

Dr. Nivea L. Torres, superintendent of the state’s technical school system, discussed the schools’ strategic plan at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill.

CTHSS education consultants Raymond Mencio and Pat Ciarleglio talked about green technology training, including the six-year-old E-House program, the only one of its kind in the nation.

The state’s technical school system supports more than 11,000 students, including more than 2,000 adult learners.

There are six tech school locations — Bristol, Norwich, Danbury, Hartford, Hamden and Bridgeport — that offer apprenticeship work, according to Mencio. He added that students will graduate with 720 hours toward their licensing requirement in plumbing, HVAC or electrical.

“Sixty-five percent of all apprentices in the state are associated with our technical schools,” said Ciarleglio.

Mencio told the audience that if your residence doesn’t already have solar or geothermal systems, soon you may be required to do so.

“Solar energy, it’s coming,” said Mencio. “Soon, they’ll be mandating that 10 percent of what you use in your house has to be renewable. It’s not on books now, but it’s coming.”

About 90 percent of businesses providing these services come from out of state, Mencio said. “That is not helping the state of Connecticut, we need residents to do this work.”

“We are in business of doing just that,” said Torres. “We’re making sure we have a trained workforce.”

Mencio agreed.

“We have young men and women that are actually doing installations and they climb around a roof like a cat, they’re great,” said Mencio. “That is what (companies) are looking for and we can demonstrate that we have competent workers.”

Torres also shared that a memorandum of understanding was reached recently with Naugatuck Valley Community College, to offer high school culinary graduates 12 credits, “right off the bat,” when they attend NVCC.

“So that’s attractive for any parent and students,” said Torres. “They are leaving with credentials for their trade and 12 credits for further education.”

Oftentimes, young people may work within the trade and then take a break. They later come back once they realize it’s a great way to earn a living wage, Torres said.

The E-House, designed and built by faculty and students, uses solar photovoltaic, solar thermal systems, geothermal systems, and weatherization/energy efficiency labs, according to Mencio.

The project, funded by the state’s two energy funds: the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, includes E-House builds at seven schools in the state system. Soon all 17 technical high schools will have E-Houses to provide green technology training, officials said.

The Project Learning Tree curriculum addresses areas like energy efficiency, water quality, environmental quality, and waste and recycling in HVAC, heating and plumbing, carpentry, electrical and bioscience shops at each school, according to organizers.

“We have shown we have an employable workforce with great success skills,” said Mencino, sharing a goal to have more and more graduates employed in the solar industry.

“We know there are openings, and we want them working. It’s a great living wage.”

Many companies are 15 months behind schedule to inspect solar arrays already installed, Mencino said.

Next year, there are plans to open a manufacturing program in Bridgeport, said Torres, adding that within the past two years, three technical high schools were renovated with two other upgrades now in process.

The cost is more than $400 million in bonding for the expansion, she said. “The state is very committed and understands workforce development and economic development are closely tied.”

Recently Torres heard of a high school graduate hired in a manufacturing job for $28 an hour.

“For a high school student, that’s exceptional,” she said.

For more information, visit cttech.org, follow the Twitter handle @CTTechHS, and check out the Facebook page at facebook.com/CTTechHS.