Governor Rell: Middle College Proposal

Will Keep Connecticut a Work Force Leader

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced her office has submitted testimony in support of her bill to create a Middle College system linking Connecticut’s vocational-technical high schools and the state’s community colleges so students can begin earning college credits in key job skills as early as the 10^th grade.

            The Middle College system would cement Connecticut’s leading role as the home of the nation’s best-trained work force, the Governor’s office said in testimony submitted to the Legislature’s Education Committee. It would also ensure the state continues to meet the need for skilled professionals in such high-demand fields as nursing and other health professions, “green collar” jobs, information technology and education.

            A 2009 Brookings Institution study notes that about 45 percent of jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree.

            “Our work force has always been one of our strongest selling points,” Governor Rell said. “We have the best-trained, most reliable and hardest-working people in the nation – and employers know it. As business continues to transition to a ‘knowledge-based’ economy, we need to make sure we continue to supply that highly valued pool of potential employees, especially in the sectors like education, technology and medicine where we know there will be growth.

            “At the same time, the Middle College proposal opens doors for students who do not currently have all the advantages they need to succeed in the modern workplace,” the Governor said. “With the Middle College system, students could have as many as 48 of the 60 to 65 credits they need for most Associates of Liberal Arts degrees by the time they finish high school. This system would provide a virtually seamless transition to completion of their degree and the skill sets our young people need to succeed – not only academically but financially and socially.”

            Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele testified in support of the proposal, which he has called a “cutting-edge marriage” of the two educational systems.

            “Over the last 2½ years as Lieutenant Governor, I’ve met with hundreds of business owners around the state,” Lieutenant Governor Fedele said. “When I ask what their primary concern about doing business here is, surprisingly it’s not taxes or regulatory issues: it’s a trained work force. This initiative will take us in a direction that will more closely marry the needs of business and allow them to hire talented pool of future Connecticut workers. It is a partnership that will create and maintain that ever-important pipeline of trained employees – and it gets students thinking about college opportunities sooner.”