Skip to main content

About the Grant

In February 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Education and Training Administration (ETA) awarded $40M for the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program to 11 colleges nationwide. CT State Norwalk is the lead institution for the grant-funded project called CT Statewide Healthcare Industry Pathways (CT SHIP). The total cost of CT SHIP is $6.9M. $3.4M (49%) is funded through a U.S Department of Labor – ETA grant and another $3.5M (51%) is committed through non-federal state and local resources. With CT State Norwalk as the lead, the five consortium partners include Gateway, Housatonic, Middlesex and Tunxis.

“The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants will play an important role in helping workers to reskill as quickly as possible with industry-recognized credentials and accelerated pathways to degrees,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “These grants are among the range of actions the Department is taking to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.”

Read more about the Strengthening Community College Grant  

References: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210115-1

About the CT SHIP Project

The CT Statewide Healthcare Industry Pathways (CT SHIP) project is a 4-year SCC grant funded project (2/1/2021 – 1/31/2025). During the project period, CT SHIP capacity-building strategies will touch approximately 2,200 students in three healthcare career pathways that:

a) are experiencing high levels of employer demand;

b) incorporate a clear sequence of education coursework and/or training credentials aligned with employer-validated work readiness standards and competencies;

c) integrate academic and occupational skills training;

d) offer accelerated training opportunities that quickly produce industry-recognized credentials and employment;

e) provide openings to expand the delivery of virtual instruction and services (e.g., online learning, digital badges, simulations);

and f) offer opportunities to earn stackable credentials and advance along career pathways from entry-level occupations to higher-wage careers.

The CT SHIP will address gaps, as well as stark disparities in postsecondary credential attainment based on race/ethnicity and family income that prevent Connecticut from achieving its overarching goals of economic vitality and expanded employment opportunities. The CSCU System Office will lead efforts to scale successful strategies to all 12 Connecticut community colleges.

Grant Approved Programs

Non-credit certificates Medical Billing & Coding
Professional Coder
Medical Office Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistant
Patient Care Technician
Credit certificates Health Information Management Certificate
Associate’s degrees Health Information Management
Surgical Technology

CT SHIP Contacts

Lead Institution
Cheryl DeVonish, CEO
CT State Norwalk

Renee Dunbar
Grant Project Assistant
rdunbar@txcc.commnet.edu

Performance Outcomes

 

Partner Spotlight

About the Grant

Workforce Development System Partners
Governor’s Workforce Council (GWC) State workforce development board
Capital Workforce Partners (North Central CT) Local workforce development board
Workforce Alliance (South Central CT) Local workforce development board
The WorkPlace, Inc. (Southwestern CT) Local workforce development board
CT Department of Labor American Job Centers partner (and State Apprenticeship agency)
Employer Partners
Yale New Haven Health Healthcare system (statewide)
Hartford HealthCare Healthcare system (statewide)
Stamford Health Healthcare system (Southwest CT)
Norwalk Hospital Healthcare employer (Southwest CT)
Optional Partners
CT Dept of Economic & Community Development Economic development state agency
SEIU Healthcare 1199NE Training & Upgrading Fund Labor Group
Connecticut League for Nursing Professional association
CT Health Information Management Association Professional association
Amazon Web Services Training and technology partner
CT College of Technology Training and technology partner