WHEREAS, talent and innovation are key to advancing the competitive advantage and economic success of the state that will, in turn, lead to new company formation and job growth; and

WHEREAS, Connecticut’s historic commitment to education and workforce development has been a major factor in the state’s economic successes in the past by generating the skilled talent required -- both long term and short term -- to support economic growth; and

WHEREAS, it is vital that this legacy continue so that Connecticut business and industry will have the skilled talent necessary to support the high levels of innovation that will be required to successfully compete in the knowledge economy both here and abroad; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

There shall continue to be a standing Jobs Cabinet which shall explore, identify and report on policies and actions necessary to ensure that Connecticut leads the nation in building a trained and employed workforce.

The Jobs Cabinet shall continue to be chaired by the Governor, or her designee, the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and shall include:

• The Labor Commissioner
• The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development
• The Commissioner of Education
• The Commissioner of Higher Education
• The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management
• The Commissioner of Social Services
• The Chancellor of the Community College System
• The Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System
• The President of the University of Connecticut
• The President of the University of Connecticut Health Center
• The President of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges
• The President of the Connecticut Development Authority
• The President of Connecticut Innovations, Inc.

The Jobs Cabinet shall continue to meet at least quarterly and shall present its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission. Such recommendations shall include ways in which the state can maintain and attract workers in the nursing, manufacturing, engineering, technological, and educational sectors.

The Jobs Cabinet and the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness are each authorized to apply for and accept grants, gifts, donations, or bequests from public and private sources for the purposes of this executive order.

The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, established pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-3h of the General Statutes shall, in addition to any other duties established by law, advise and assist the Governor and the Director of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness with respect to the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, including, but not limited to, the development of the State Plan, required by Section 112 of Such Act, and the designation of local areas, as required by Section 116 of such Act. 

This Order shall take effect immediately.