CBIA, Connecticut Council for Education Reform form partnership

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association and the Connecticut Council for Education Reform have formed a strategic affiliation designed to enhance the existing education and workforce initiatives of both organizations. The combined organization will operate as CBIA’s Education & Workforce Partnership.

Both groups will work together to close Connecticut’s achievement gap while meeting the workforce needs of the state’s businesses.

“Closing Connecticut’s achievement gap and improving public education for all students is essential for the economic and civic well-being of Connecticut,” said CBIA President & CEO Joe Brennan.

The partnership will leverage CBIA’s statewide presence and public profile to raise policymakers’ and stakeholders’ awareness of challenges facing employers and future job-seekers. CCER said its public policy experience and expertise in pre K-12 education will enhance the business community’s ability to effect positive change in education and workforce policy issues.

“I think this affiliation is an education policy game changer,” said CCER Executive Director Jeffrey Villar. “Collectively, CCER and CBIA will be a powerful voice in education policy.”

Andrea Comer, formerly executive director of the CBIA Education & Workforce Partnership, will serve as the partnership’s vice president, workforce strategies.

The boards of CCER and CBIA agreed to the affiliation at their respective board meetings in March and April. CCER will relocate from New Haven to CBIA’s Hartford offices.

CCER’s board will continue to meet within the structure of CBIA, as will the board of CBIA’s Education & Workforce Partnership.