Dear Fairfield County Tech Community,

From fresh collaborations to new opportunities on the horizon, October has been all about building momentum across Connecticut’s tech ecosystem. Partners from education, business, and workforce development are coming together to shape the next phase of our regional strategy—and the energy around what’s ahead is strong.

In this edition, you’ll find updates from recent strategy sessions, details on upcoming events, and new ways to stay connected with the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub.

Thanks for being part of this work and helping drive innovation and opportunity across our region.

Best,
Patricia Torres Meyer
Director

Good Jobs Challenge Grant

WHERE WE’RE GOING: BUILDING CONNECTICUT’S TECH SKILLS FUTURE

Over the past two years, the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub has worked to strengthen the region’s technology ecosystem—connecting employers, educators, and workforce partners to expand access to tech training and career opportunities. Together, this network has helped launch programs like The Workplace's Tech Ready tech training program, build partnerships across education and industry, and highlight the growing demand for tech talent statewide. Now, as the Tech Hub enters the final year of the Good Jobs Challenge grant, attention is shifting toward the next phase of this work: supporting tech skill development across all industries.

On September 26, leaders from business, education, and workforce organizations convened at GE CoCreate in Stamford for a Tech Sector Strategy Session focused on defining this new direction. Industry leaders reconnected with their engagement to the sector partnership - deep interest in informing the skills needed for the workforce of today and tomorrow. The discussion affirmed that technology is not a standalone sector—it’s the infrastructure supporting every field, from finance and healthcare to manufacturing. 

So what's next for industry engagement? Industry leaders emphasized the continued need for a business-led partnership model that aligns regional or statewide education & training systems with employer needs and equips residents with the skills required for high-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, and software engineering.

This renewed focus will guide Tech Hub activities through 2026, with the goal of building a sustainable, industry-driven approach to tech workforce development across Southwest Connecticut and the surrounding region.

Are you interested in being a part of this action focused group? Reach out to get connected!

UPCOMING EVENT: UCONN DFI CAPSTONE INFO SESSION

The University of Connecticut’s Digital Frontiers Initiative is hosting a 45-minute virtual information session on October 22, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:45 PM to introduce the benefits of sponsoring an Analytics and Information Management (AIM) capstone project. This session will offer organizations a clear understanding of how AIM capstones connect classroom learning with real-world business challenges—giving students hands-on experience while providing sponsors with innovative solutions.

Attendees will gain insight into the sponsorship process and expectations, hear from a past sponsor about their experience, and see examples of previous projects that delivered measurable impact. A live Q&A will close the session, giving participants the chance to explore how partnering with UConn can advance their strategic goals and engage with emerging talent.

SUCCESS STORY: SONIA’S TECHREADY JOURNEY

From mastering new tech skills to stepping into a new role with the City of Norwalk Health Department, Sonia’s journey through TechReady Career Training is a testament to perseverance and partnership.

Through training supported by The WorkPlace and Southern Connecticut State University, Sonia gained certifications in AWS services, web technologies, and Generative AI, and is now advancing her studies in Google Cybersecurity. Her career path reflects the strength of collaboration across workforce partners and the lasting impact of continued support beyond job placement.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

UCONN DFI Capstone Info Session

October 22, 2025 | 1:00 – 1:45 PM | Virtual

Join the University of Connecticut’s Digital Frontiers Initiative for a 45-minute virtual session introducing opportunities to sponsor Analytics and Information Management (AIM) capstone projects. Learn how these partnerships connect students’ advanced technical skills with real-world business challenges and deliver measurable impact.

2nd Annual Virtual Tech Career Expo

November 7, 2025 | 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Virtual

Interactive event introducing high school students to in-demand tech careers, with opportunities to connect directly with industry professionals and learn about training programs and certifications to kickstart their futures. Contact us for more information.

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.