As we close out 2025, we're excited to see the momentum across Southwest Connecticut’s tech ecosystem continue to build. Industry leaders came together at our December Quarterly Sector Partnership Meeting and affirmed key Tech Skills Action Team priorities and connected with emerging talent preparing to enter the region’s workforce.
In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from our quarterly meeting, updates on collaborative initiatives, and ways to stay engaged in the work of growing a strong, inclusive tech talent pipeline in 2026.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Best, Patricia Torres Meyer Director
Good Jobs Challenge Grant
EVENT RECAP: DECEMBER QUARTERLY SECTOR PARTNERSHIP MEETING
The December Quarterly Sector Partnership Meeting brought together industry leaders and public partners for an engaging session focused on strengthening Fairfield County's tech talent pipeline. Attendees heard updates on the regional AI landscape, progress from the Tech Skills Action Team, and the impact of Tech Ready - the Good Jobs Challenge funded initiative for tech and tech-enabled skill development and job placement. This meeting reinforced the shared commitment to expanding access to tech careers and supporting employer needs across the region.
The meeting closed with a networking event sponsored by Benchmark IT, where employers connected directly with talent from Tech Ready, Synchrony Skills Academy, and the Stamford Tech Hub. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about participants’ technical skills, professional experience, and career interests as they prepare to enter the region’s growing tech workforce.
You can read the meeting summary and access meeting resources here.
The Office of Workforce Strategy will host the 4th Annual Connecticut Regional Sector Partnership Convening on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the CCSU Student Center, beginning at 8:30 AM. This statewide gathering brings together sector partnership leaders, tech employers, educators, and state agencies to align on training, workforce development, and priorities for 2026.
Tech employers are strongly encouraged to attend. This convening directly influences statewide funding, curriculum design, talent pipeline programs, and policy decisions that shape Connecticut’s evolving tech ecosystem. The agenda includes statewide sector meetings, examples of effective work-based learning, a keynote conversation with students and industry mentors, and resources to support business growth and emerging tech talent.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with partners and help shape the future of Connecticut’s tech workforce. Register below to secure your spot!
HOW THE CT TECH HUB ACTION TEAM IS DRIVING PROGRESS
The Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub’s Action Team plays a central role in advancing regional tech workforce priorities — from shaping employer-aligned training pathways to strengthening connections across education, industry, and community partners.
Current Focus Areas: • Expanding work-based learning • Strengthening early talent access • Aligning training programs with employer needs
How to Engage: Interested employers are invited to join us on Friday, December 19 at 1 PM for a virtual call. Email us for more information and details on how to participate!
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: BENCHMARK IT
At the December Quarterly Sector Partnership Meeting, we were proud to recognize Benchmark IT and its Founder & President, John Bemis, for their leadership in strengthening Southwest Connecticut’s tech workforce. Their support of the networking session—and their long-standing commitment to connecting emerging technologists with meaningful career pathways—earned Benchmark IT a proclamation from the Mayor of Stamford honoring their regional impact.
Benchmark IT’s influence extends beyond our region. John Bemis was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of the TechServe Alliance, a national association representing the IT and engineering staffing industry. This recognition reinforces the leadership and expertise Benchmark IT brings to its partnerships across Connecticut.
As a key CT Tech Hub partner, Benchmark IT helps bridge employers with early-career talent from Tech Ready, Synchrony Skills Academy, and the Stamford Tech Hub. Through mentorship, career guidance, and job placement support, their team continues to shape a stronger, more connected tech ecosystem across our region.
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!
2026 Workforce Summit| OWS April 2, 2026 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
Join industry, education, government, and community leaders for a statewide summit on workforce innovation, emerging trends, and Connecticut’s talent pathways.
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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.
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