Aetna launches workforce initiative, commits $1.2M to develop Connecticut talent pipeline

Hartford Business Journal – Tuesday, June 16, 2026
By David Krechevsky

Hartford-based Aetna Inc. said Tuesday it will invest $1.2 million over the next five years into a workforce development initiative to support career training, academic partnerships and talent development programs in the state.

The health insurer, a subsidiary of CVS Health, said it has created NextStep at Aetna, a program to expand career opportunities for both college graduates and individuals entering the workforce without a four-year degree.

As part of the initiative, Aetna will establish a new training center at its headquarters on Farmington Avenue in Hartford that will prepare entry-level workers for customer service and operations roles. The company said it expects to provide approximately 76,000 hours of training over the next three years.

The initiative is intended to strengthen Connecticut’s workforce while creating pathways into healthcare and insurance careers, company officials said.

The program is open to candidates with at least a high school diploma. Aetna officials said customer service representatives play a key role in member interactions and will be a primary focus of the curriculum.

The company also plans to expand partnerships with several state educational institutions.

At the University of Connecticut Hartford Campus, Aetna said, it will support career development programs beginning in students’ freshman year and invest in one of the campus’ first learning communities, which combine academic and career-readiness programming.

Aetna also said it will work with the University of Hartford to enhance career readiness programs through its Allan Center for Career and Professional Development and Barney School of Business, while collaborating with the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions on healthcare workforce initiatives.

In addition, Aetna will team with Hartford Public Schools to develop curriculum and programming for students in the district’s Allied Health Pathways program. The effort will include coursework, guest speakers and exploring career opportunities in health services.

Aetna will continue operating seven leadership development programs that provide participants with rotational assignments across business units and exposure to senior leadership, officials added.

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