August 8, 2025
Colorado's commitment to a robust workforce and quality jobs was significantly strengthened by a recent Strong Sectors, Good Jobs grant program aimed at expanding the state's sector partnership network. With a total of $389,238 awarded to nine organizations, this initiative supported diverse approaches to improving job quality across various industries.
The grant aimed to support Colorado's sector partnership network, improving its ability to address talent needs and other industry priorities. Funding was allocated to partnerships that demonstrated measurable impact on initiatives for employers, learners and the community. Partnerships focused on improving job quality through the integration of skills-first practices, adoption or use of apprenticeships or other actions encouraged for employers to take as part of Colorado's Job Quality Checklist. Partnerships used Colorado's Job Quality Framework to identify how they can advance good jobs in their community - from attracting to creating and elevating opportunities for growth.
Five Key Ways Grantees Approached Job Quality Strategies:
1. Developing New Apprenticeship Pathways:
Several grantees focused on creating and refining apprenticeship programs to provide clear pathways to skilled, higher-paying jobs. The Boulder Area Hospitality and Retail Sector Partnership, for instance, collaborated with Escoffier Culinary School to develop two new apprenticeship pathways: Pastry Chef and Plant-based Culinary Chef, anticipating five apprentices in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Similarly, the South Central Health and Wellness Sector Partnership, with industry partner Rocky Mountain Behavioral Health, developed a Certified Addiction Technician Apprenticeship program designed to meet Colorado Department Of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) certification requirements. This also influenced Pueblo Community College to prepare for a behavioral health bachelor's program, offering an affordable route to higher-level addiction specialist certification.
2. Upskilling and Professional Development:
Investing in the existing workforce was a crucial strategy. The Boulder Area Hospitality and Retail grantee upskilled 140 servers, bartenders and food service managers through Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) and SafeServ Alcohol Trainings and ServSafe Food Manager certifications. The Northern Colorado Hospitality Sector Partnership worked with the Online Restaurant Academy to create an innovative career advancement pathway through industry-developed online training, engaging 90 workers and 12 business partners. This training led to promotions and sharpened industry-specific skills for participants, as highlighted by one bar-lead at The Reserve by Old Elk Distillery:
“The Career Advanced Program provided numerous benefits to enhance my skills at work. Post-program, I was promoted from a bartender to a bar-lead at The Reserve by Old Elk Distillery. The program helped me sharpen industry-specific skills, provided career coaching, and provided a global perspective for hospitality competitive edge.”
3. Expanding Career Exploration and Awareness:
Early engagement and awareness are vital for building a future workforce. The Aerospace Sector Partnership developed and implemented an Aerospace Teacher Externship, with three teachers completing the program, including two from rural communities. They also hosted the inaugural "Air-N-Space-A-Palooza" with nearly 730 attendees from across the state in 2024. Due to its success, the event secured sufficient sponsorships to be hosted again in 2025, with an attendance of over 1,000 participants. The Northern Colorado Construction Sector Partnership engaged 487 students in career awareness programming, with a significant number receiving Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) offered by the Home Builders Institute certificates. This also involved 38 industry volunteers giving more than 90 hours to volunteer in classrooms, demonstrating direct industry involvement in educating future talent.
4. Fostering Employer Engagement and Partnerships:
The South Central Tech Sector Partnership engaged 19 businesses to participate in internships and successfully placed eight students. They also outreached to 30 businesses and 20 organizations to attract businesses to rural Colorado, and partnered on an "Empowering a Rural Tech Renaissance" webinar. Increased employer engagement was also noted in the Aerospace Sector Partnership, with seven new employers joining their efforts.
5. Leveraging Data for Improved Outcomes and Communication:
Grantees recognized the importance of data to understand and communicate the impact of their initiatives. The Northern Colorado Healthcare Sector Partnership convened 25 stakeholders to explore strategies for better connecting data to career pathways outcomes, specifically interested in accessing employment and wage data for reporting and illustrating student success to industry partners. The South Central Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sector Partnership created a video campaign to underscore the significance and professionalism of ECE careers, reaching nearly 100,000 views and generating positive community feedback, demonstrating effective communication of their impact.
These diverse approaches highlight the multifaceted nature of improving job quality and the collaborative efforts required between education, industry and community partners. The insights gained from this grant cycle will undoubtedly inform future initiatives to further strengthen Colorado's workforce and create even more opportunities for quality jobs.