OEDIT Executive Director Eve Liberman stands at the podium addressing participants of the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summit in Pueblo, Colo.
On April 2, 2025, CWDC Managing Director Lee Wheeler-Berliner joined industry leaders, economic developers, educators, and workforce development professionals at the Southern Region Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summit in Pueblo, Colo., at the Pueblo Convention Center.
Led by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and in collaboration with the CWDC, the Pueblo Summit focused on advanced manufacturing, construction, and technology within the Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Lake, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo counties.
Business leaders and partners identified priority occupations and discussed a vision for strengthening the talent in these industries in the years ahead. Businesses were joined by the leadership of colleges throughout southern Colorado and economic developers. Director of the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium (CRWC) Suzie Miller, along with CRWC board member Kathy Reeves, were also in attendance.
Key themes included:
- Construction: Discussions emphasized the importance of industry-led partnerships and convenings. A significant focus was placed on expanding construction awareness and education within the K-12 system to build a future workforce.
- Technology/Manufacturing: A clear consensus emerged regarding the existence of a skills gap between the available workforce and industry needs. Participants also recognized an opportunity between industry and public partners to enhance communication and better align skills training with business requirements.
- Broadband access: The participants underscored the crucial role of broadband access in supporting business development and education across Southern Colorado.
An outcome report summarizing the summit’s key discussions is anticipated in the next few weeks.
The Summit welcomed key state leaders, including OEDIT Executive Director Eve Liberman and Director of Talent Innovation Misti Ruthven, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Chief Strategy Officer Sam Bahrami, and Director of the Colorado Office of Just Transition Wade Buchanan.
Established by HB24-1365, the Summits are designed to develop tactical two- and five-year workforce plans that address industry-specific challenges. With seven summits scheduled across the state from February to June 2025, the insights gathered will be integrated into the annual Talent Pipeline Report, ensuring ongoing progress and adaptation.
Local workforce boards play a crucial role in bringing industry-led ideas to life by leading implementation and reporting of the two and five year workforce plans informed by the summits, with support from the CWDC. By bridging government, education, and private-sector efforts, the CWDC helps create sustainable career pathways and promotes a demand-driven approach to workforce development.
Following the Summits, local workforce boards will:
- Facilitate continued industry engagement to refine workforce plans.
- Advocate for training grants, apprenticeships, and upskilling programs that align with regional hiring needs.
- Support the implementation of workforce strategies through coordinated efforts with businesses, educational institutions, learners and job seekers.
The next Opportunity Now Talent Summit will be held in Grand Junction on May 12, 2025, construction, early childhood education, and healthcare. Three additional summits will follow. Finalized tactical workforce plans from each region will be published in the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report, with annual progress reports in subsequent years ensuring continued accountability and adaptation.
For more information, explore the Opportunity Now Summit webpage.