Blog Post

Early Connections Learning Centers in Colorado Springs is addressing major Early Childhood Education challenges—including a workforce shortage and a rising need for social-emotional support. To meet these challenges, Early Connections has launched a transformative Registered Apprenticeship Program, made possible by a stimulus-funded Small Business Apprenticeship Support Grant through the CWDC.

The CWDC within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment released the annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report in partnership with the Colorado Department of Higher Education and other state agencies. The 12th edition provides an analysis of critical factors shaping the demand for and supply of talent in Colorado.

Following months of collaboration and the invaluable insights gathered during the 2025 Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits, the Regional Tactical Workforce Plans have been officially published. Released alongside the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report, these plans serve as a strategic roadmap to address the unique workforce needs of every region across the state.

Colorado is proud to designate eight of the workforce boards with the High-Performing Board designation in recognition of their commitment to exemplary performance and strategic leadership in their community.

Colorado's sector partnerships are driving systemic change, connecting employers and training. Examples include the Colorado Tree Care Sector Partnership's apprenticeship program and the Northern Colorado Health Sector Partnership's Nurse Well Being Conference. These efforts promote job quality, skills-first practices, and work-based learning, building talent pipelines and supporting essential workers.

With the help of stimulus funding, Forward Steps helped 250 young Coloradans—especially those facing adversity—explore career paths through its "Realizing Aptitudes" program. This initiative combined one-on-one career coaching with cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) simulations to give underserved youth a realistic, pressure-free experience of in-demand jobs like surgical tech and auto mechanic. The funding dramatically expanded their reach into Northern Colorado and rural communities, providing a reliable support system that fostered confidence and clear career vision for youths.

Barefoot PR, a small business based in Colorado, uses skills-first practices to redefine hiring.

On Nov. 13, the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) hosted a webinar Wage Outcomes for ETPL Providers. The purpose of this webinar was to share the newly reformatted data, provide an overview of the data itself, and provide context to the information as well.

Explore results of the 2024-2025 Annual Impact Survey, with input from over 900 employers.

Colorado educators are attending regional trainings from October 2025 to February 2026 to implement the “big 3” initiatives—work-based learning, college credit, and industry-recognized certifications—aimed at ensuring all high school graduates have postsecondary readiness opportunities by 2029, in alignment with new state policies and SB25-315 reforms.