Technical High School system discusses diversity in workforce

MANCHESTER — The Connecticut Technical High School system last week hosted state government, business and educational leaders for a discussion on how organizations are leveraging shifting demographics in Connecticut to fill anticipated workforce needs.

“Diversity in the Workforce,” held at Cheney Technical High School, included a panel discussion featuring Scott Jackson, commissioner of the Department of Labor, and high-ranking representatives from Electric Boat, Aetna, CTHSS, the University of Connecticut and others. After the conversation, guests took part in a variety of cultural activities prepared by CTHSS students, including ethnic foods, a choir performance, dancing and student artwork.

“Our goal with this event was to highlight the importance of diversity as it relates to education and workforce development in the state of Connecticut,” said Dr. Nivea L. Torres, superintendent of the CTHSS. “The panel itself was comprised of a diverse group of business and education leaders from throughout the state who each brought a unique and vital perspective to this important topic.”

During the discussion, which was moderated by Joelle Murchison, associate vice president and chief diversity officer at UCONN, Jackson asserted that businesses and their employees must evolve to reflect and represent the populations they serve.

“If your business looks today like it did 50 years ago, then you are limiting yourself — you are in a race to the bottom,” he said. One solution he suggested was more training, recruitment and hiring of diverse individuals through outreach activities like mentorships “to free up our best people so they can reach out into their communities.”

Floyd Green, vice president of community relations and urban marketing at Aetna, noted that inclusion must also be a part of the conversation, and that “businesses must fundamentally believe that a diverse workforce will help them succeed.”

The panel also included Chris Soto, founding president of the nonprofit Higher Edge and candidate for state representative in New London; Howard Jenkins, manager of human resources for Electric Boat; and Andrea Comer, executive director of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s Education and Workforce Partnership and director of the agency’s workforce development and training.

The event was held in Cheney’s gymnasium and was attended by over 50 people from Connecticut’s business and education communities.