Advancing Workforce Strategies for Colorado’s Future
On March 18, the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summit convened in Denver, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and workforce professionals to address critical workforce shortages and shape the future of Colorado’s talent pipeline. Led by the Office of Economic Development and International trade (OEDIT) and in collaboration with the CWDC, the summit marked a key step toward aligning workforce development strategies with economic priorities.
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.
During the Denver Summit, discussions focused on advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and renewables and clean energy within the Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties. Key themes included:
- Strengthening industry visibility in schools through career days,, work-based learning and apprenticeships, and career and technical education (CTE) to engage the future workforce.
- Expanding outreach to underrepresented populations to create more inclusive career opportunities.
- Collaborating with school innovation centers to inform curricula that aligns with the skills needed in aerospace and cybersecurity
- Advancing skills-based hiring practices in manufacturing to better assess and validate worker competencies.
- Aligning training and licensing requirements in clean energy fields to streamline workforce entry.
Governor Jared Polis opened the event, reinforcing Colorado’s commitment to workforce development.
“Colorado is the best place to live and start a business. As a state, we continue investing in talent development initiatives so all Coloradans can access good-paying jobs and employers can find the skilled workers needed to grow and thrive,” said Polis.
The Summit also welcomed key state leaders, including Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Joe Barela, OEDIT Executive Director Eve Liberman, and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education Dr. Angie Paccione, Lee Wheeler-Berliner, Managing Director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council along with representatives from six local workforce boards who will lead implementation efforts following the conclusion of the summits in June. .
The CWDC and 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. By bridging government, education, and private-sector efforts, the CWDC helps create sustainable career pathways and promotes a sector partnership 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.
CWDC Managing Director Lee Wheeler-Berliner emphasized the significance of the Summits.
“The Summits create an exciting opportunity to get granular in workforce planning efforts with business and industry. The tactical plans will bring a new element to existing workforce plans that have been too prescribed by federal regulations. The path forward creates accountability to achieving outcomes by nesting these efforts within the existing infrastructure of our workforce system in Colorado,” Wheeler-Berliner said.
The next Opportunity Now Talent Summit will be held in Pueblo on April 2, 2025, focusing on advanced manufacturing, construction, and technology. Four 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.
As Colorado continues to lead workforce innovation, these regional partnerships will play a pivotal role in preparing workers for high-quality jobs while strengthening the state’s economic resilience.