Our History

Workforce Development Boards have been in existence in some shape or form in our nation and state throughout the course of history. From 1978-1998, these entities were known as Private Industry Councils (PICs) which had a narrower function than today’s workforce boards, focusing primarily on increasing private sector involvement in federal job training programs.

In 1998, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) brought in a new era of programs and services for those seeking employment and businesses in need of skilled workers. Reauthorized by the Federal government as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014, this progress continues and evolves as needs change.

There are five workforce development boards in Connecticut today, and Capital Workforce Partners serves the 37-municipality region in North Central Connecticut.