Dear Connecticut Tech Community,

It’s been a busy fall across Connecticut’s tech landscape. Students explored new career pathways at the Tech Career Expo, employers joined forces for workforce strategy planning, and new opportunities for collaboration continue to emerge.

In this newsletter, we’re sharing updates from recent events, upcoming programs, and ways to stay involved in the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub’s mission to grow the tech workforce of tomorrow.

Thanks for your continued partnership and support.

Best,
Patricia Torres Meyer
Director, Good Jobs Challenge Grant

EVENT RECAP: FALL TECH CAREER EXPO

On November 7, the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub hosted the Tech Career Expo, a virtual event connecting high school students with professionals across data, engineering, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and healthcare technology. The session gave students a firsthand look at the variety of tech career pathways in our region—and the skills needed to get there.

Panelists shared stories that showed tech careers don’t always follow a straight line. Students heard from professionals like Anthony Varbaro, who grew from IT intern to Test Engineer in just two years; Robert Goulart, who transitioned from behavioral neuroscience into cybersecurity; and Alexey Prokharchyk, a Tech Ready graduate now working in data analytics and global markets at iCapital. Leaders from Hartford Healthcare, RTX/Pratt & Whitney, Aperture Optical Sciences, and Microboard highlighted how technology is transforming industries and why lifelong learning, problem-solving, and hands-on experience matter.

The Tech Career Expo supports a core part of the CT Tech Hub’s mission—connecting employers with emerging talent and helping students explore in-demand careers close to home. Thank you to our partners - Thorney Advisors, CT Tech Council, The WorkPlace - and speakers for sharing their time, insight, and encouragement with the next generation of innovators.

UPCOMING EVENT: UCONN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM – AI & QUANTUM

UConn is hosting a one-day forum on November 13 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Serafresca at the IC in Stamford, bringing together business, technology, and government leaders to explore how artificial intelligence and quantum computing are shaping the next decade of innovation in Connecticut. Attendees will connect with researchers, learn how these technologies are creating new markets, and discover opportunities to collaborate and hire emerging talent.

The event will feature keynote remarks from Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, leaders from Google and Indeed, and a showcase of UConn’s AI and quantum innovation ecosystem. Focus areas include cybersecurity, healthcare and life sciences, and advanced manufacturing — with a chance to join small-group breakout discussions tailored to your interests.

This work aligns closely with the mission of the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub, where we partner with UConn and industry leaders to strengthen regional innovation, support workforce growth, and help businesses adopt emerging technologies. We encourage you to register and share this event with your network.

SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER QUARTERLY SECTOR PARTNERSHIP MEETING

The next Quarterly Sector Partnership Meeting will take place on December 4 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (location to be announced). This session will bring together regional tech business leaders to review Good Jobs Challenge grant progress, share sector priorities, and continue shaping collective strategies for workforce and industry growth.

More details and registration information will follow. For questions or to confirm your interest in attending, contact Patricia Meyer at patricia@stamfordpartnership.org.

SUCCESS STORY: TIMOTHY’S TECHREADY JOURNEY

Big congratulations to Timothy, who recently launched his IT career as an IT Support Specialist at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. After completing the Tech Ready Career Training Program, he gained the hands-on technical skills and confidence to step into a professional role that aligns with his long-term goals.

“This is my first job as an adult where I truly feel like a professional… a life-changing experience,” Timothy shared. His journey is a reminder of what’s possible when talent, training, and work-based learning come together to create real opportunity.

A special thank-you to The WorkPlace, Southern Connecticut State University, and The Stamford Partnership for supporting Timothy’s success and helping expand tech career pathways across our region.

UPCOMING EVENT: NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTERNSHIP INFORMATION SESSION

Norwalk Public Schools is hosting a virtual Internship Information Session on November 19 from 9:00–9:45 AM for employers interested in hosting funded high-school internships during the 2025–2026 school year. These placements give motivated students in grades 10–12 meaningful, hands-on experience with real workplace projects, while helping employers build early talent connections and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline. This short session will outline how the program works, what support is available, and how industry partners can get involved.

For more information, reach out to Carol Wiltshire-Toth at wiltshiretothc@norwalkps.org. This work aligns directly with the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub’s mission to expand equitable access to tech career pathways and create stronger links between education and industry across the region.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

UConn Economic Development Forum: AI & Quantum – Building Connecticut’s Future Together
November 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Serafresca at the IC, Stamford, CT
Join business, technology, and government leaders for a one-day forum hosted by the University of Connecticut exploring how quantum computing and AI are driving innovation, creating new markets, and shaping Connecticut’s economic future.

December Quarterly Sector Partnership Meeting
December 4th, 8:30 - AM 10:30 AM, Location TBD
Connect with regional tech sector business leaders, learn about Good Jobs Challenge grant outcomes, support regional sector priority advancements. Contact us for more information.

January OWS Statewide Convening
January 12, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 
Connect with industry leaders and spark new collaborations at the 4th Annual Connecticut Regional Sector Partnership Convening!

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Thank you to the following organizations for supporting the Southwest CT Tech Hub:

Advance CT · Airbornway Corporation · Analytic-Aware LLC · Bank of America · Benchmark IT · Blueprint Business Consulting · Business-Higher Education Forum · Charles IT · Charter Oak State College · City of Stamford · Deloitte · GE Appliances · George Comfort & Sons · Havyn Coworking · IBM · Indeed · Interactive Brokers · Janus Associates · KJM Textiles · McKinsey · Merrill · Neolumin · NBC Sports · Nuvance· Office of Workforce Strategy · PreRound · Priceline · Renquiry · Scala Computing · SDG Corp · Silicon Valley in Your Pocket · Social Venture Partners · Software Development Resources  · Southern Connecticut State University · Sparks Policy Group · Stamford Health · Synchrony · The Workplace · Thorney Advisors · UCONN 

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ED22HDQ3070186, awarded to the State of Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy by the U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration.