Jan. 26, 2023 - The CWDC will launch its Innovative Finance Community of Practice and begin by hosting a multi-session Colorado Talent Finance Design Workshop, to be led by Trailhead Strategies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The Design Workshop consists of five multi-part sessions held over a period of approximately 12 weeks from April - June, 2023. The sessions include a mix of virtual and in-person sessions in Denver.
Applications to participate are due on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Apply now. You may also register for the informational webinar on Friday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.
This opportunity is for Colorado partners from workforce, business, chambers of commerce, economic development, education and training, community-based organizations, unions, industry associations, philanthropies, apprenticeship programs, and other public and private organizations, partnerships, and individuals who want to:
- Learn more about finance instruments and innovations that can be used to provide more equitable access to training in high demand industries;
- Design a new or improve an existing talent finance project for implementation that solves a specific workforce development challenge;
- Network with Colorado peers and talent finance experts working on similar issues and projects; and
- Contribute to a statewide vision for talent finance to ensure equitable access to training and education in Colorado.
The Design Workshop equips participants with the background and principles of talent finance, key frameworks, and tools to develop and implement talent finance solutions. The workshop assists participants in creating and designing a plan for implementing a new (or improving an existing) talent finance solution.
The Design Workshop is also an opportunity for participants to become part of Colorado’s Innovative Finance Community of Practice, and apply to the national Talent Finance Innovation Network (TFIN). The TFIN is a facilitated network and community of practice of peers and projects who receive ongoing support, technical assistance and resources with shared learning and partnership opportunities.
The Design Workshop format and dates are listed below. The first session is an orientation and establishes a baseline understanding of the talent finance framework, its principles, and key concepts and innovations that are used to develop talent finance solutions. Subsequent sessions assist participants in clarifying the focus of a talent finance solution, connecting them with talent finance solutions providers and potential funders (through the Talent Solutions Providers Directory), building an actionable implementation plan that will advance a talent finance solution in their community, and contributing toward a collective vision for talent finance in Colorado.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please register for the informational webinar on Friday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m., or contact jessica.maiorca@state.co.us.
Design Workshop Format and Dates
Session 1: Orientation and Foundations of Talent Finance (Virtual)
April 5, 10 a.m. - noon MST
April 6, 10 a.m. - noon MST
Session 2: Talent Finance Solutions and Products (Denver)
April 13, 12 - 5 p.m. MST
April 14, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. MST
Session 3: Intro to Talent Finance Solution Providers (Virtual)
May 8, 10 a.m. - noon MST
May 9, 10 a.m. - noon MST
Session 4: Refining Your Talent Finance Project (Virtual)
May 24, 10 a.m. - noon MST
May 25, 10 a.m. - noon MST
Session 5: The Talent Finance Project Pitch (Denver)
June 22, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. MST