Education, energy and economic-development experts who gathered Thursday at the University of Connecticut for a summit on eastern Connecticut said the region's $13 billion economy faces increasing pressures on its workers and businesses.

“We need to have a work force that has the skills to develop solutions ... and respond to the needs of employers,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who hosted the regional summit with UConn officials. The forum focused on eastern Connecticut's education, energy and economic-development needs.

“There's still good news (about the economy), but our employers are crying out for workers,” he said.

Courtney said industry, government and academia need to work together to find alternative energy sources, including biofuels, geothermal and solar sources, to lessen dependence on fossil fuels. Connecticut's energy costs are among the highest in the nation, Courtney said, putting increasing pressure on companies' bottom lines. “I actually think there is a political will” for greater energy efficiency and independence, he said.

Numerous speakers at the forum said the state's educational system needs to supply more prospective employees with science, math and technical skills to replace the growing number of baby boomers who are retiring across a multitude of industries, from engineering to manufacturing.

John Markowicz, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region in New London, said major employers such as the Naval Submarine Base and the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton are in need of hundreds of engineers but can't find adequate numbers within Connecticut. “We need to have a work force that has the skills ... to respond to the demands of employers,” he said.

John Filchak, who directs the Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments in Killingly, said the northeast corner of the state has experienced strong growth over the past several years, but he said he is worried that much of the growth is from those who are moving into the so-called “Quiet Corner” but commuting to jobs in the Worcester, Providence and Boston areas. “We are generating new jobs,” he said, but some are part-time or have no benefits.

Stephen Lanza, the executive editor of the Connecticut Economy publication produced by UConn, said well-paying jobs that produce growing incomes and an improving quality of life should be the “key objectives” of economic development in eastern Connecticut.

“Education turns out to be very significant and very important,” he said. “And it doesn't just end at graduation. Education is a lifelong endeavor. We need to make sure people learn and re-learn skills as they move from one job to another,” the economist said.

Barry Sheckley, the Neag professor of adult learning at UConn, said universities can help businesses create a knowledge-based work force able to adapt to 21st century expectations and demands in a global economy.

Sheckley said universities can partner with companies in their workplace with training and educational opportunities and “creating knowledge” from actual work experiences. He said that offering courses and degree-type programs can be less effective than on-the-job educational opportunities based on actual work experiences and future needs of businesses competing in a global marketplace.

a.cronin@theday.com