JUt enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.une 2026 QJune 2026 Quarterly Meeting & Networking Receptionuarterly Meeting & Networking Reception
On June 4, employers, workforce partners, educators, and community leaders gathered during Connecticut Tech Week to reflect on three
years of collaboration through the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub and the Good Jobs Challenge initiative funded by the Connecticut
Office of Workforce Strategy.
The event served as both a celebration of what has been accomplished and a conversation about what comes next. Over the past three
years, partners across Fairfield County have worked together to strengthen talent pipelines, expand career pathways, deepen employer
engagement, and create new opportunities for individuals seeking careers in technology and tech-enabled industries.
What emerged throughout the afternoon was a simple but important takeaway: workforce development is not just about training people
for jobs. It’s about building stronger connections between employers, educators, workforce organizations, and the individuals seeking
opportunity.
What It Takes to Create Good Jobs
The first discussion featured Patricia Torres Meyer and Mark Lazarus of The WorkPlace, who reflected on the evolution of the Good Jobs
Challenge initiative and the realities of delivering workforce development in a rapidly changing labor market.
As technology continues to evolve and AI reshapes workplace expectations, employers are increasingly looking for more than technical
skills alone. Communication, adaptability, professionalism, problem-solving, and real-world experience have become equally important
components of workforce readiness.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of individualized support. Coaching, employer connections, career navigation, and ongoing
encouragement often play a critical role in helping participants successfully move from training into employment.
The segment concluded with an impact video featuring learner and instructor stories that illustrated the personal and professional impact
of the initiative. These stories served as a reminder that behind every placement, credential, and workforce metric is a person working to
build a better future for themselves and their family.
Building Partnerships Through Employer Leadership
A panel featuring Danica Tarin (NeoLumin), Darwin Lara (EVOCorp), and John Bemis (Benchmark IT) explored the role employers have
played in shaping the partnership over the past three years.
Panelists reflected on how their involvement extended beyond hiring. Participation in the partnership provided opportunities to strengthen
the regional talent ecosystem, build relationships across sectors, amplify industry needs, and contribute to the broader economic health of
the region.
A recurring theme was the value of collaboration. Employers, educators, workforce organizations, and community partners each bring
unique perspectives and capabilities, but lasting impact happens when those groups work together toward shared goals.
The conversation reinforced one of the partnership’s most important lessons: while training remains essential, access to meaningful workbased learning and applied experience is increasingly critical to workforce readiness.
Looking Ahead
The final discussion featured Darrell Johnson of The Stamford Partnership and Adrienne Parkmond of The WorkPlace , who reflected on
lessons learned and opportunities to sustain the partnership moving forward.
The conversation focused on the importance of adaptability as technology continues to evolve and workforce needs continue to shift.
Speakers emphasized that long-term success depends not only on training programs, but also on strong networks, trusted relationships,
employer leadership, and coordinated systems that connect education, experience, and employment.
Both organizations expressed a commitment to continuing industry-led dialogue, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and
building upon the collaborative infrastructure developed through the partnership over the past three years.
Celebrating Three Years of Impact
The June Quarterly Meeting served as a milestone moment for the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub and the broader regional partnership
that has formed around tech talent development.
Over the past three years, employers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders have come together to create new
pathways to opportunity, strengthen the region’s talent ecosystem, and support hundreds of individuals pursuing career growth and
economic mobility.
While the work continues, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate what has been built together and recognize the partnerships
that made it possible.
Many thanks to the team that came together to showcase this work: The WorkPlace Adrienne Parkmond & Mark Lazarus; Benchmark IT
John Bemis; NeoLumin Danica Tarin; EVOCorp Darwin Lara; and The Stamford Partnership team Darrell Johnson, Patricia Meyer,
& Jennifer Bogus.
We are proud of what we’ve built together and excited about what comes next.
Special thanks to the following partners and team members who helped make the June 4 meeting a memorable one: Darrell Johnson,
Jennifer Bogus, Mark Lazarus, Tanya Smolkin, Adrienne Parkmond, Danica Tarin , John Bemis, Darwin Lara, The Mags & Marrelli Agency,
Melissa Cassandra Olguin, and Theodore Pappas and the Rubenstein Partners team for use of their facility at Shippan Landing.
Some moments from the event are captured below!