March 20 - This was CREC's 50th Direct Care graduating class.  CREC graduated 11 talented, confident, and capable young women. Graduate Reeva Starks said, " I know this is not college but to me it's an accomplishment!"  many of these graduates see CREC's Direct care class as a stepping stone in their career paths.  

March 19 -The Focus was Economic and Workforce Development - DECD Commissioner Joan McDonald; President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce, John Leone; and Chief Operating Officer, Capital Workforce Partners, Alex Johnson gather after the Chamber's monthly "Eggs & Issues breakfast. Other featured speakers included CDA's Marie O'Brien, CERC's Bob Santy and Bristol Mayor Art Ward.  Capital Workforce Partners sponsored the breakfast.

March 6 -Career Connections Students Make Connections- 40 Career Connections participants and 25 Employer Reps participated in this Networking 101 session held at CBIA.  The students were from A.I. Prince Tech, Hartford High, Bulkeley, Weaver, Manchester, Sports and Medical Sciences, Classical Magnet, OPP and Enfield High.  Employers, some with several representatives, participated companies including the Hartford Fire Dept (seen in photo) AT&T, ShopRite, Aetna, Fuss & O'Neill, Whittelsey and Hadley, Travelers, CarMax, AdChem Manufacturing and the Hartford Courant.

February 20th  - One Stop Expert Training - CTWorks ws closed for an all day training session led by Career Resources and Capital Workforce Partners.  Deputy Commissioner for the State's Dept. of Labor, Linda Agnew addresses the group of about 120 service professionals.

February 14th - A Valentines Day Open House Tour at the Manchester CTWorks on Main Street.  Many thanks fo the Manchester Chamber of Commerce for helping to organize this successful business networking event.

January 26th - Time to Celebrate! 
In New Britain, Capital Workforce Partners partnered with the NB Chamber, City of New Britain, DOL, and CTWorks teams to provide assistance with Celebration Foods' (parent co. of Carvel) need to hire over 220 workers for its newly built manufacturing facility.  As a result of phenomenal teamwork, and hard-working volunteers from our CTWorks system - over 1,500 individuals signed in for the event (only 600 expected) - nearly all were prescreened and hundreds had interviews with hiring managers.

December, 2007 - Meet the Graduates - CREC's Direct Care Program (l-r)  Alowin Patterson, Lakeisha Johnson, Sheila Fuster, Yahaira Rodriguez, Donna Heim (Instructor), Enellie Alvarez, Dorel Simpson, Warkena Muhammad and Tamara Watson.  Instructor Donna Heim congratulates this group for all of their hard work and determination. They obtained their Dept. of Developmental Medication Exam with the state, their CPR and First Aid and Psychological Management Training certificates which make them very marketable for Human Services employment. Several in the class, in fact, have already been hired by their internship sites.

December, 2007 - Happy Holidays!  Capital Workforce Partners employees, partners and friends gather for a holiday celebration at the Lyceum in Hartford.

Capital Workforce Partners President and CEO, Thomas Phillips, along with the Commissioner of the CT Department of Labor Patricia Mayfield spoke to a roomful, Nov. 7th where the staff and partners of the redesigned New Britain CTWorks One-Stop Career Center celebrated its open house.

MEET THE NEWEST GRADUATES along with leaders and supporters of the Hartford Jobs Funnel initiative, November 2nd at Hartford's City Hall. 

October 26, 2007 - Hartford Hospital graduated another cohort of "Students At Work (SAW)" ensuring a smooth flow of continuous improvement and opportunities for advancement in Allied Health.  Mayor Perez spoke at this event, along with CWP Pres / CEO Tom Phillips, noting that an increasing number of medical institutions are investing in the growth and development of their "in-house talent."

STANDING ROOM ONLY October 18th at the New Britain CTWorks One Stop to hear Mayor Stewart launch his ten-year plan to end homelessness in the region.  CTWorks was proud to host this event.

September 27, 2007 -The Peace it Up!   youth violence prevention conference begins with a celebration of Hartford's youth.  Hartford's Office for Youth Services along with Capital Workforce Partners addressed a large group at the Riverfront Recapture boathouse with messages of forward thinking, unity and progress before the evening's entertainment began - the group above represents the Barbados American Society of Hartford Youth Dance Group, led by CWP's Marlo Smith.

September 27 , 2007 - Dream the Dream - Some of CWP's Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program Dream Resume Winners with their youth service providers! - Visiting the Quarterly CWP Board Meeting are from left to right - Wanda Brown-Claitty with Our Piece of the Pie along with her winning participant, Rashad Moon - who aims to be a Sports Trainer. Nancy Micloskey of Bristol Community Org. read a heartfelt letter from her winning participant, Candace Corbeil (not shown) who is in college now studying to be a clinical psychologist. And then we have Judith Gough of Catholic Charities New Britain, along with her winning entrant Shaun Smith who looks forward to putting his math skills to work as an accountant. Other winners not shown in the photo - Yaricellys Caban - who plans to be an inspiring social worker and Jasmine Betts a future psychologist.  Congratulations to all.

August 17, 2007 - CWP's Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program a Tremendous Year!

-This roomful of over 250 youth from the New Britain, Bristol region had a lot to showcase for their 6-week employment experience this year.  From publishing a book, to completing an elderly "remembrance" project, to working in areas of banking, allied health, farming and science, each participating student (ages 14 - 19) had a rewarding experience.  More photos to come. Photo by Intern, Aja Wilson.

August 17, 2007 - Urban League of Greater Hartford - closes its summer program with presentations and awards.  Photo by Tony Wilson

August 16, 2007 - CWP's Career Connections a Tremendous Year! - Program Coordinator, Dennis Mink addresses a small group of select high school students who had just completed an eye-opening summer working for such distinguished companies as:  The Hartford Courant, ING, Aetna, OPMAD, CCAT and others.  The students worked hard, learned a lot and received gracious compliments from their employers. This IS our future workforce.  The event was held at CBIA and the students, from Hartford and Manchester schools had received year-round, after-school competency training to be prepared for these mostly private sector jobs.

August 2, 2007 - Opus Inc. - Many students worked to make quilts this summer at one of over 30 summer employment and learning programs including Science on the River at Our Piece of the Pie and Educational Main Street at the University of Hartford.

July 18, 2007 - 2007 Workforce Innovations

Winners - Capital Workforce Partners Takes

the National Stage - Capital Workforce Partners received the U.S. Department of Labor’s Recognition of Excellence award for its submission – “Ready, Aim, Hire – A Business Service Delivery System for North Central Connecticut. The award was presented July 18th at the national 2007 Workforce Innovations Conference in Kansas City, MO before some 3,700 attendees. Shown in th photo above from l to r - CT DOL Commissioner, Pat Mayfield; Asst. Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco; President of Flanagan Industries, Ken Flanagan and Pres. and CEO of Capital Workforce Partners, Tom Phillips.
Click here for:

June 22, 2007 - Urban League Graduation - Amina Whelan, graduate of Medical Office Skills, completed her program in April and went directly into a medical administrative assistant   position at Hebrew Health Care in West Hartford. She gave an inspiring and encouraging speech to the graduates, telling them “not to give up no matter what”.  Presenting the certificates: James E. Willingham, Sr., Diane Augustine (not shown), Idanis Guzman of the Urban League and Cynthia Watts-Elder of Phoenix Life Insurance Company. Medical Office Skills, A+ Certification and Pharmacy Tech programs are funded by Capital Workforce Partners.

June 19, 2007 - 2007 Workforce Star winner, State Rep.  Roberta Willis (2nd from l) is honored by (from l to r) Capital Workforce Partners Thomas Phillips; State Senator Donald DeFronzo; CWP Board Chair Rod Powell and Consortium Chair Steve Cassano.  
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES AND STORY ON THIS WORKFORCE STARS EVENT.

June 11 , 2007 - State Representative Marie Kirkley-Bey and State Senator Donald DeFronzo speak to students in programs at Our Piece (OPP) about the importance of advocating for continuous legislative support for youth employment initiatives.  OPP's Executive Director Bob Rath (l) and CWP Pres/CEO, Thomas Phillips (r) listen in.  The event at the State Capitol was held for a contingent of leaders from around the country visiting for a Communities Collaborating to Reconnect Youth Conference.

June 4 , 2007 - CareerTEAM's Hilda Reyes leads a tour of the CTWorks One Stop for a very special visitor - Commissioner Albert Bryan - Dept. of Labor Commissioner for the United States Virgin Islands. (l)

Allied Health Training Complete

May 30, 2007 - With Keynote Speaker Anna-Maria Garcia and a host of contributing speakers and award givers including Mayor Eddie Perez and Congressman/Business Advocate Rob Simmons – 20 students who are currently working CNAs can now explore more challenging areas on the career ladder in Allied Health.  One of the students noted, “the only difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.”  Turning challenges into opportunity is what drives these individuals to succeed. The Capital Workforce Partners' funded 60-week program and event is held at Capital Community College.

CTWorks Open House Celebration in New Britain.
May 29, 2007 - U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy's staff and the local media get a tour of the CTWorks One-Stop Center in commemoration of National One-Stop Week. (Photo taken by Dan Runcie, CWP Intern).

May 16, 2007 - CT's Workforce Board Directors, Chairs and the CT Employment and Training Commission meet with the Congressional Delegation in Washington DC.  They are pictured here with the DC-based staff members after a meeting visited by Congressional Leaders:  John Larson, Joe Courtney, Chris Shays and Rosa DeLauro.

Young Adults Connecting To Careers -
Through Career Connections Job Fair

April 4, 2007- At the Grand Hall at One Union Place 60+ high school students from the Career Connections spoke to employers about summer job opportunities.  Employers like ING, Aetna, Northeast Utilities, OPMAD, Hartford Hospital made some great connections with this exceptional group of career focused students, mostly from Hartford and Manchester!

The CTWorks Career Specialists

Assist Job Seekers at the March 14, 2007 Career Fair

Pictured here are (l-r) Business Services Consultants Janet Gemmiti (CBIA) and Susan MacKay (CBIA) and Job Developer, Bill Gerlach (Career TEAM)

Young Adults Connecting To Careers - Through Career Connections

February 7, 2007- At this Dress For Success Competition hosted by the CT Business and Industry Assoc. (CBIA) high school students from Hartford and Manchester were challenged to select and model appropriate clothing “for their school” and describe the rationale for their selections. 

Then they were asked to select and model appropriate clothing “for various careers” – i.e. health care, law, manufacturing, retail and discuss their selections.

Meet Some of our Recently Certified Dynamic Works Workforce Professionals

February, 2006 - (l-r)  From Catholic Charities: 
Jose Valasquez and Nichole Chung; and from
Career TEAM: Lily Richardson, Brenda Martinez and Ricky Jaros.  On the far right is Pamela Nabors - Director of One-Stop Services at Capital Workforce Partners and this lead on this training initiative. Each individual completed a comprehensive online course and passed the exam for Core Skills in
Workforce Development.

The Hartford Courant Editorial Staff Tours Hartford's CTWorks One-Stop

December 13 , 2006 - The Hartford Courant Editorial Board visited the CTWorks One-Stop Career Center at 3580 Main Street to learn more about the programs and services offered there as well as those offered at other CTWorks North Central Connecticut locations.

Youth Employment Advocacy Hour

January 31, 2007 - State Capitol, Old Appropriations Room - 4pm to 5pm -
Student Exhibits.  Testimonials.  Results. Hear from Legislators.   Click here for a press release.

Board and Consortium Newsletter (7/06 - 1/07)

January 19, 2007 - Click here for the Newsletter

December 13, 2006  The Focus is Manufacturing in Bristol / New Britain - Recently the US Department of Labor, CT Department of Labor, the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Capital Workforce Partners met with area manufacturers at J.Timothy's Restaurant in Plainville, CT. The purpose of the meeting was to listen to CT manufacturers' challenges in the areas of training and retention and identify opportunities for competitive advantages.

(From left sitting) Grace Kilbane, Regional Administrator for US DOL; Commissioner Patricia Mayfield, CT Department of Labor and Thomas Phillips, Capital Workforce Partners, President & CEO. (Back row from left) Arthur Funk Jr. President Four Slide Spring and Stamping; Rich Larkin, Brown Larkin Company; Cindy Scoville, Business Service Consultant Central CT Chamber of Commerce; Mark Leahy, Connecticut Spring and Stamping and President from New England Spring Manufacturing Association and Angelo D'Alfonso Business Service Consultant Central CT and New Britain Chamber of Commerce.

November 16, 2006 - Workplace Forum - Training and Education Grants (Bristol)

Nancy Blanchett (l) one of the owners of Ultimate Wire Forms located in Forestville, CT, attended one of The Workplace Forum programs sponsored by The Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Cindy Scoville (center), Business Service Consultant for Workforce Development from the Central Connecticut Chamber explains how employer groups can maximize the talent of their workforce by tapping into the training and education grants that are available through Capital Workforce Partners. Dawn Leger (r), Acting Director of Workforce Development from Bristol Career Center Tunxis Community College explains how the Career Center has the right programs to help any employer get started in their customized training opportunities. 

Dynamics Works Training Stars!!

November 16, 2006 - Congratulations to Barbara Fox of Career TEAM Core Services, Marlo Smith, Adult Program Support Specialist and Carlos Ruiz, Systems Manager at Capital Workforce Partners for completing the CORE Certification program initiated by Dynamic Works.  The program required the completion of 10 on-line training courses and results in nationally-recognized certification.

CWP Contributes to Meaningful Dialogue at Hartford Public Library

November 8 & 16, 2006 - Future Workforce Issues and Hiring and Working with Immigrants were two recent "conversations" held at Hartford Public Library.  The first, moderated by CWP Youth Services Director and City Councilman Jim Boucher, featured a panel of private sector, education and community leaders - and presented the challenges facing both young people and area businesses as we look toward the future workforce pipeline.  At the second event, CWP Pres. and CEO Tom Phillips offered some key statistics regarding immigration in our city, state and region, and led a panel including Attorny Annette Brigsted, CT DOL Wage Enforcement Agent, Blair Betaccini and Multicultural Educ. and Gender Equity Consultant, Dr. WIlliam Howe. 

New Britain Launches Next Round of Future Workforce Investment System Internships

October 26, 2006 - Continuing on a successful model of internships, funded through Capital Workforce Partners and an earmark from Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, The New Britain Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with OIC and CCSU's ITBD training facility launched a new round of internships for select New Britain students.

New Board Members Meet at Autumn Meeting at the Lyceum

September 28, 2006 - New Board members met prior to a full Board meeting at the Lyceum in Hartford.  The Capital Workforce Executive Committee, Board and Consortium of Elected Officials meet regularly to discuss key issues, legislative priorities and approve actions that impact workforce development in our region. 

September 28th , 2006 - Congratulations to Byron Raynor, along with the other five Dream Resume winners in our Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program - Byron is shown here at the Lyceum in Hartford, along with Program Coordinator, Dennis Mink and Artists Collective's Cheryl Smith - at the Capital Workforce Partners Board Meeting.  Byron,  and the others received customized packages of books and gifts to support their career desires.

New CTWorks One-Stop Satellite at Capital Community College

September 19, 2006 - A new Career Center One-Stop has opened in Downtown Hartford to assist job seekers and businesses in meeting their needs.  The grand opening was Tuesday, September 19th.  For Business Services, the office will be open on Wednesdays, staffed by Susan MacKay, Business Services Representative.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Latisa Alexander will be available to answer job and career-related questions of students and other Hartford area residents.  The new satellite is located in the college on the third floor, Room 312. Pictured in the photo above (l-r)  Susan MacKay, CBIA, Business Services Representative; Ray Grasso and Latisa Alexander, Catholic Charities. Click here to visit the Capital Community College website.

The Focus is Job Training

September 15, 2006 - The Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce hosted an event to welcome the newly appointed Commissioner of Labor, Patricia Mayfield. Area employers discussed their concerns and ideas with the commissioner regarding job training and education.

August 3 , 2006 - The Reverend Jesse Jackson visited the teens at Blue Hills Civic Association on “In Service” Day – Part of Capital Workforce Partners’ Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program. 

July 18 , 2006 - Leaders Recognized for Their Commitment to Youth - Representatives Toni Walker (New Haven) and Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (Hartford) are recognized by the Connecticut Workforce Development Council (comprised of the state's five Workforce Investment Boards) for their unwavering commitment to the state's youth and youth employment. 

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July 10, 2006 - Joining Together to Strengthen Their Commitment to Bristol Area Workforce - Signing a Memorandum of Understanding, the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Capital Workforce Partners collectively agreed to address workforce development challenges through the use of the CTWorks system, and to work together to raise awareness for workforce issues as well as identify solutions that work toward the economic development of the region.  In the photo above is (Back Row l-r) Angelo D'Alfonso and Cindy Scoville, Bristol Chamber of Commerce and members of the region's Business Services Team; (Front Row l-r)
John Leone, Jr. , Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce President and Thomas Philllips,
Capital Workforce Partners President and CEO.

July 7, 2006 - Hopitality Skills Center to Open in December - Press Release

June 19, 2006 - Urban League's Phoenix Academy Creates Opportunities in New Britain - Tobiann Hall is one of 16 graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program.  Presenting the certificates were Richard Mullins, Managing Director of CCSU's ITBD (l), Jackie McGravey of Capital Workforce Partners, Paulette Fox of OIC (not shown), Richard Gruber and Diane Augustine of the Urban League and Idaniz Guzman, the Youth Coordinator.

Week of May 15, 2006 - The YES Academy accentuated its training sessions with a city-wide summary workshop held in the City Hall Council Chambers in Hartford. Facilitating this event were, Anthony Griffin from Anthony’s Clothing and ANT Business Concepts; Juan Colon from Aetna’s University Relations; Paulette Fox from OIC, Inc. of New Britain (pictured above); Dayl Walker from CBIA and Elizabeth Ceriello and Penny Christy from EntrepreneursNow, Inc.  After the week of June 5th, the spring 2006 YES Academy program will conclude and the youths who participated will be better equipped to market their skills to prospective private sector businesses for summer employment. Businesses large and small have been identified, eager to hire these YES Academy graduates because they know they are well prepared for the workplace. If you are interested in hiring a YES Academy graduate, contact Dennis Mink at 860-522-1111 x343.

April 28 , 2006 -

Capital Workforce Partners and the City of Hartford’s Health and Human Services hosted this year's annual Hartford’s Job Developers Consortium Employer Recognition event.  Businesses recognized at this year's event were: Aramark Aviation Services – Bradley Airport; Bank of Boston Tax Processing Center – Windsor; C & S Wholesale Groceries – Windsor; HomeGoods – Bloomfield; CarMax – Hartford; KidKare Temporary Staffing – Hartford; Mohegan Sun – Uncasville; Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation – Foxwoods – Ledyard.

Businesses were nominated by the Consortium's membership and they look to continue and enhance the business relationships developed within the greater Hartford community. Pictured to the left are Ramon Rajano and James "Jobs" Johnson of the City of Hartford - and the Job Developers Consortium co-chairs, Sue Byars and Janet Gemmiti.  They are holding the Proclamation from the Governor, stating April 28th as Job Developers Consortium Day for the State of Connecticut.

April 27, 2006 – Last Call for Legislative ACTION for Much Needed Summer Youth Employment Funding - The Hall of Flags area at the State Capitol was filled to capacity with hundreds of students, parents and youth advocates from throughout the Hartford and New Haven areas. In addition to listening to many State Representatives and Senators express their commitment to youth, students wrote and distributed letters to the Governor and others.