Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-193
AN ACT CONCERNING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AT PUBLIC
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION RELATED TO THE INSURANCE
Title: INDUSTRY.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
SEN. KELLY, 21st Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
To conduct a study related to job opportunities and programs available at institutions of
higher education regarding the insurance industry.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Sean Bradbury, Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs
Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU):
Submitted written testimony. Mr. Bradbury recognizes the insurance sector as vital to
Connecticut's economy. He says, "We support the premise of this bill but would like to work
with the sponsors and our colleagues at the University of Connecticut and the Governors
Workforce Council to find ways to incorporate this study into a broader analysis of our
workforce development efforts. With the rise of the insurtech sector in Hartford, and the
evolving nature of the industry, we must work together to find ways to make sure that our
workforce development efforts in this sector are not siloed."
Jeffrey Shoulson, Senior Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Connecticut
(UConn):
Submitted written testimony in support. Mr. Shoulson says, "UConn offers a variety of
academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels that contribute
significantly to the Connecticut insurance industry." He elaborates on existing academic
programs that cater to the insurance industry in Mathematics, Law, Business, Computer
Science, Digital Media and Design, and Pharmacy.
Kelli Vallieres, Executive Director of the Office of Workforce Strategy and the Vice
Chair of the Governors Workforce Council:
Submitted written testimony. Dr. Vallieres says OWS and GWC are tasked with developing
the state's workforce from Pre-K through retirement. With this in mind, part of the GWC's
2020 strategic plan highlights aligning higher education with employer needs. She says the
GWC has created a team to understand employer demands, create programs to align with
those demands, and promote those programs across the state. Dr. Vallieres says this work
closely aligns with their existing work, and "our team would appreciate the opportunity to work
with you to refine the concept that is being introduced."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Sen. Kevin Kelly, 21st District, Senate Republican Leader:
Submitted written testimony and delivered oral testimony in support. Sen. Kelly says Hartford
is the "Insurance Capital" and that the "key ingredient" to the industry's success is "the men
and women who choose these rewarding insurance career paths." To meet the industry's
future workforce needs, he says, we should rely on our institutions of higher education to
conduct a study of workforce development issues with regard to the insurance industry.
Ashley Zane, Government Affairs Associate, Connecticut Business and Industry
Association (CBIA):
Submitted written testimony in support. Ms. Zane says, "CBIA supports this bill due to the
impact the insurance industry has in our state." "With an aging workforce," she says, "the
states higher education system should be looking to create a workforce development plan for
this sector, and work with companies across the state to help address their needs."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Jeremy Salyer Date: 04/05/2021
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