Connecticut Launches AI Training Initiative at Seven Colleges to Meet Growing Job Demand

Connecticut will expand artificial intelligence training across seven colleges and universities as part of a new workforce development program aimed at preparing students for rapidly growing tech jobs, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday.

The third phase of the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator, known as TTA 3.0, will fund new and expanded AI programs at public and private institutions in partnership with 12 businesses, according to state officials. The initiative responds to surging employer demand for workers with AI expertise across multiple industries.

State labor data reveal the urgency behind the program. Since August 2024, nearly 11,000 job postings in Connecticut have listed AI skills, representing a 40% increase from the previous year, according to the governor’s office. Currently, about one in 52 job postings call for AI expertise, with even higher demand for positions requiring college degrees.

The participating institutions include the University of Connecticut, University of New Haven, Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University and University of St. Joseph. Each school will either integrate AI content into existing programs or launch new credentials tailored to industry needs.

UConn plans to offer a cross-disciplinary AI micro-credential developed with industry input, while the University of New Haven will add an AI for cybersecurity concentration to its curriculum. Quinnipiac University will roll out an online program focusing on AI applications in health care business innovation, according to state officials.

The program aims to make AI training available across diverse academic disciplines, from accounting and nursing to manufacturing and engineering, state officials said. The curriculum will include credit-bearing courses, short-term credentials and industry-linked projects designed to provide students with hands-on experience.

The Tech Talent Accelerator operates under the state Office of Workforce Strategy in partnership with the Business-Higher Education Forum and the New England Board of Higher Education. Since launching in 2022, the broader program has supported partnerships between 13 colleges and 26 businesses to modernize curricula and offer short-term credentials in cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics and game design, according to the state.

State officials said TTA 3.0 represents a strategic response to Connecticut’s evolving economic needs. The pilot program will test approaches to AI education that can be scaled statewide, with lessons from the initial phase informing future expansion.

A second round of grants is scheduled for mid-2026 to broaden the initiative beyond the pilot schools, according to state officials. Future programs will incorporate insights gained from the current phase to refine training approaches and expand access to AI education.

The initiative reflects Connecticut’s broader effort to strengthen its talent pipeline in response to technological change. State leaders and business partners said the program is designed to help employers find workers equipped with skills essential in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

The collaboration between higher education institutions and private sector partners aims to ensure training programs align with actual job market demands. By involving businesses in curriculum development, the state seeks to create more direct pathways from education to employment in AI-related fields.

Connecticut’s investment in AI workforce development comes as states nationwide compete to attract and retain technology companies and skilled workers. The program positions the state to capitalize on growth in artificial intelligence applications across traditional industries, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and logistics.

The pilot phase will provide data on effective approaches to AI education, helping state officials determine how to best expand training opportunities statewide while meeting the specific needs of Connecticut’s economy and workforce.