workforce development: creating pathways to good jobs
At Social Impact Partners (SIP), we believe every Connecticut resident deserves access to a good job — one that pays a living wage, supports a stable livelihood and offers a path to professional and economic growth.
Workforce development is about more than training — it’s about giving people the skills, knowledge and opportunities to succeed in good jobs while meeting the needs of employers across the state.
Why It Matters
Too many Connecticut residents are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet.
- About 40% of residents don’t earn a living wage.
- That number rises to 54% of Black residents and 57% of Hispanic residents.
A strong, equitable workforce system can change that — helping people gain the right skills, connecting them to good jobs and supporting employers who need qualified workers.
What SIP Is Doing
SIP tackles workforce challenges at both the statewide systems level and the community level, building a coordinated network that works for everyone — job seekers, employers and educators alike.
We:
- Work directly with employers as a strategic workforce intermediary to support talent acquisition and career advancement and retention programs and strategies
- Strengthen local and statewide programs and partnerships that prepare people for in-demand jobs.
- Align resources across government, business, education and community organizations to create a seamless system that opens doors for all.
Our Impact
Over the past five years, SIP has helped Connecticut make major progress in building a modern, effective workforce system:
- Co-authored the 2020 State Workforce Strategic Plan, which laid the foundation for a stronger, more coordinated system.
- Helped establish the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) to lead statewide efforts.
- Developed 14 Regional Sector Partnerships (RSPs) connecting 400+ employers, nonprofits and educators in industries such as healthcare, IT and manufacturing.
- Designed and implemented sector-based training programs — including Career ConneCT, Good Jobs Challenge, CT Health Horizons and the Technology Talent Accelerator — that help unemployed and underemployed residents move into high-quality jobs.
- Served as a strategic advisor for Connecticut’s healthcare workforce expansion.
Our Focus
- Build the capacity of organizations that train and place workers from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Support skills-based hiring, internships and apprenticeships that connect people directly to career opportunities.
- Ensure education and training programs are aligned with real employer needs and offer clear pathways to advancement.
The Bottom Line
When we invest in people, and in the systems that support them, we help Connecticut residents find meaningful work, earn family-sustaining wages and build strong, vibrant communities.
Together, we’re creating pathways to opportunity – one high-quality job at a time.
