UConn Part Of State Initiative To Expand AI Education And Workforce Training

STORRS, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont Tuesday announced that the University of Connecticut is part of the launch of the third phase of the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator (TTA 3.0), a statewide higher education innovation challenge designed to expand artificial intelligence education and workforce training. This initiative will accelerate the development of AI-skilled talent across Connecticut, strengthening the state’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Seven colleges and universities will participate in an initial pilot with 12 business partners.

State officials said AI is "transforming" workplaces across Connecticut and the nation. In Connecticut, demand for AI skills is rising, they said. Since August 2024, nearly 11,000 job postings have required AI skills — a 40 percent increase from the year prior. Today, one in 52 jobs in the state list AI skill requirements, up from one in 70 a year ago, officials said.

The demand is even stronger in roles requiring an associate or bachelor’s degree, where one in 23 jobs now call for AI expertise, spanning nearly every industry and occupation, they said.

"AI is reshaping many sectors of our economy, and Connecticut is ensuring our workers and students are prepared to lead in this new era," Lamont said. "By investing in AI education and workforce training through the Tech Talent Accelerator, we are strengthening our talent pipeline, supporting Connecticut businesses, and creating opportunities for everyone to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs."
Since its launch in 2022, the Tech Talent Accelerator (TTA) has been championed by the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy in partnership with the Business-Higher Education Forum and the New England Board of Higher Education. Through two previous rounds of funding, the program has supported partnerships between 13 higher education institutions and 26 businesses to modernize curricula, offer short-term credentials, and deliver in-demand tech training in areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics and game design.

The third phase of TTA (TTA 3.0) builds on this foundation by funding AI skills programs at Connecticut’s public and independent colleges and universities. The following seven institutions and their 12 business partners will participate in a pilot phase:

• Connecticut College will integrate applied AI skills and competencies into three credit-bearing accounting and entrepreneurship courses.
• Fairfield University will embed AI competencies into nursing education through curriculum enhancements, workshops, and a non-credit digital badge, as well as engage undergraduate computer science students in an eight-week summer experience creating AI-enabled nursing simulation tools.
• Quinnipiac University will develop an eight-week online program focused on AI fundamentals in healthcare business innovation.
• Southern Connecticut State University will expand its AI in Manufacturing program to include quantum computing concepts through a new non-credit microcredential.
• University of Connecticut will deliver a cross-disciplinary, industry-inspired AI workflow agent microcredential with stackability into existing engineering degree pathways.
• University of New Haven will launch an AI for Cybersecurity concentration within its BS in Cybersecurity program.
• University of Saint Joseph will revise and create four credit-bearing courses and launch a Certificate in Applied AI for Business that incorporates capstones, internships, and challenge-based experiences.

"Connecticut’s economic future depends on our ability to anticipate workforce needs and invest in programs that meet them," said Dr. Kelli Vallieres, Connecticut’s chief workforce officer. "TTA 3.0 represents a strategic step forward in equipping students and workers with the AI skills that employers across our state demand."

A second round of grants in mid-2026 will support the launch of new industry-led AI programs informed by lessons learned from the pilot cohort.