Governor Ned Lamont joined representatives from the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), and Veolia North America this week at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton to celebrate a successful public-private partnership preparing students for high-demand careers in the state’s water and wastewater industries.

Hosted in Grasso Tech’s Bioscience and Environmental Technology trade classroom, the event showcased how Connecticut’s technical high schools are helping address national workforce shortages in water and wastewater management through hands-on, industry-aligned education.

Participants included Governor Lamont; Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health; Karine Rougé, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia North America’s Municipal Water Services; and Dr. Alice Pritchard, Executive Director of CTECS. They were joined by local and state officials including State Representative Aundré Bumgardner, State Representative Dan Gaiewski, New London Mayor Michael Passero, New London Director of Public Utilities Joseph Lanzafame, Stonington First Selectwoman Danielle Cheeseborough, and Daniel Smith of Stonington’s Water Pollution Control Authority.

The program began with remarks from Christopher McVeigh, Grasso Tech’s Bioscience and Environmental Technology instructor, who has led the program since 2010. Drawing on his background as a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, retired naval officer, and former college professor, McVeigh described how his students learn the science and technology behind water and wastewater management and how their skills directly contribute to Connecticut’s environmental and public health systems.

“Through laboratory and shop-based construction and field experiences, students learn about the environmental systems, water and air quality, waste treatment, sustainable environmental management, and have the opportunity to apply a variety of trades,” said Christopher McVeigh.

Through CTECS’ Work-Based Learning (WBL) program, students in Grasso Tech’s Bioscience and Environmental Technology trade gain real-world experience working alongside Veolia professionals in water and wastewater facilities across the state. The partnership not only provides students with valuable technical experience but also helps fill critical workforce needs in an essential public health sector.

Veolia Workforce Development & Community Engagement Leader Scott Beeney spoke about the company’s deep commitment to investing in the community and preparing the next generation of skilled professionals. He highlighted Veolia’s pride in supporting Connecticut’s youth and addressing the “silver tsunami” of retiring workers head-on. Over the past two years, Veolia has welcomed 13 high school students as interns through its partnership with CTECS, and seven of those students have since been hired as full-time employees.

“We really deeply believe that building the future of what we do, being environmental services – water, waste, energy – starts with investing in people, said Karine Rougé. “Technology is changing fast. Challenges like climate resilience and water quality—they are piling up, especially when we are facing the complexity of what we are facing in the world. But at the heart of what we do will always be the men and women who keep these services running.”

Commissioner Manisha Juthani said that every developed society expects clean water, but it’s something that’s often taken for granted. She pointed out that it takes skilled professionals to get clean water into people’s homes and to ensure sewage isn’t polluting waterways, backyards, and well water.

Governor Lamont praised the program as an example of how Connecticut is aligning education and industry to strengthen its economy and communities.

“[Connecticut] has a lot of water,” said Governor Lamont. “This is one of our great attributes. But we’ve got to fight to save it and preserve it and make sure it’s safe for each and every one of you. And that’s what I think you’re doing right here at Ella Grasso, that’s what the CTECS program is all about – working with Veolia, working with people, coming together. It’s really important for this state, for this country, and this world to get this right.”

The Bioscience and Environmental Technology program at Grasso Tech currently enrolls more than 60 students and prepares 15–18 graduates annually for careers that protect and improve the environment. The curriculum includes opportunities for cross-trade learning in areas such as electrical, plumbing, and information technology—helping students build the broad technical foundation needed to solve complex real-world challenges.