From 2013 to 2023, Connecticut has seen a significant rise in its immigrant labor force, up by 18% to over 590,000 in the past decade, and now constituting 19.6% of the state’s workforce, while the native-born population is declining and aging1. This demographic shift is accompanied by the increasingly important role immigrants play in the state’s economy, from increased state revenues through taxes and more consumer spending, to workforce gaps filled in key growth sectors such as construction, food manufacturing, and hospitality, and even larger economic contributions through the creation of new businesses and job opportunities, with immigrants owning approximately 45,000 businesses statewide.
As this population continues to grow, however, there is an equally augmenting need to support the vocational and educational opportunities available to them. A FY24 profile report of 56 North Central adult education program sites shows that of the 4,512 students enrolled in the region, over two thirds (2,906) are English language learners, and over one third (1,548) consist of individuals with low literacy levels. Additionally, over half (2,308) of students were Hispanic/Latino, with the next highest proportion being Black/African American at nearly a fifth (893). Over a third (1,598) of these heavily-barriered individuals were unemployed at entry, and nearly a fifth (788) were not participating in the labor force.
As we continue to serve the marginalized communities of our 37 towns, often with a significant proportion of foreign-born, BIPOC, and low English proficient individuals, Capital Workforce Partners collaborates closely with local adult education partners to make the path through basic skills remediation and into meaningful, in-demand, employment more accessible, ultimately harnessing the potential of Connecticut’s diverse labor force in meeting the needs of its evolving industries.
Population Changes by Age Group | Connecticut (2010 – 2023)2
Chart Source: Renata Daou, CT Mirror
SOURCES
- Immigrants Make up Growing Share of CT Labor Force, November 2024.
Note: in this context, the terms “immigrant” and “foreign-born” are synonymous, and include naturalized citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented individuals. - American Community Survey, Connecticut (2010-2023)