On behalf of CL&P president Raymond P. Necci, training instructors and representatives, Hartford Jobs Funnel (HJF) Steering Committee members and Waterbury Construction Career Initiative (WCCI) Steering Committee members, Governor M. Jodi Rell, Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Mayor Michael J. Jarjura, Department of Labor Commissioner Patricia Mayfield, Construction Trade representatives and community leaders, we applaud all graduates completing the first class of the CL&P- HJF and WCCI Construction Training
Program.

We congratulate you for demonstrating the ability, dedication and determination to go above and beyond to advance in your career goals. As a result of your perseverance, you are also contributing to the success of this excellent educational program; but most importantly you are also making a difference in the lives of your families.

In October 1999, CL&P and the HCJI/Jobs Funnel launched an 18-month pilot program with the of goal training 50 Hartford residents in basic construction skills. These original expectations have been exceeded with a total of 250 trainees successfully graduating since the program began. We are proud that approximately 200 CL&P and HJF graduates are currently employed in various construction sites in the city.

This year, we have provided training to ten highly qualified Hartford and Waterbury residents who enrolled in an intensive four-week construction skills training program with the goal to prepare trainees for future employment opportunities in the construction field.

The classes in this program included: basic construction skills, a variety of lessons about fork lifts, pole climbing, basic electricity, bucket truck operation and cast testing.