SB 869, An Act Concerning Additional Career Training Opportunities Offered By The Office Of Workforce Strategy

TESTIMONY OF CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED TO THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Thursday, February 23, 202

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 869, An Act Concerning Additional Career Training Opportunities Offered By The Office Of Workforce Strategy. CHA supports the legislation.

Connecticut hospitals continue to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and are now facing new challenges of treating sicker patients than they saw before the pandemic, with a dedicated but smaller workforce who are exemplary but exhausted. They are also experiencing significant financial hardships brought on by record inflation. Through it all, hospitals have been steadfast, providing high-quality care for everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of ability to pay.

SB 869 would require the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) to identify opportunities to expand the CareerConneCT program to train participants for careers where no more than one year of training is required. Additionally, the legislation would require OWS to identify training providers for these identified careers.

Healthcare workers in Connecticut have been exceptional in responding to the pandemic and all of its impacts over the last three years. But it has taken a toll on them – adding more stress, leading to exhaustion and burnout. Challenges that existed before the pandemic have been exacerbated. Through it all, they have maintained exceptional care for patients.

As we continue to respond to the effects of the pandemic and its impact over the last three years and look to build the future healthcare delivery system in our state, we know that we need to expand Connecticut’s healthcare workforce.

We have built a strong partnership with OWS, working together to support CareerConneCT and we are excited about legislative efforts to support this important program.

There are a multitude of entry-level, in-demand careers in healthcare where less than one year of technical training is required. Opportunities include training additional Certified Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Technicians, Surgical Technicians, Sterile Processing Technicians, Community Health Workers, Phlebotomists, and many more.

We support SB 869 and hope the Committee will move this legislation forward.

We look forward to continuing to work together to support our state’s healthcare workforce and expand it for the future.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7310.