The CWDC operates as a neutral collaborator and convener with state and local agencies involved in the workforce system. It is our hope that the practices outlined in the Colorado WIOA State Plan establish and maintain trusting relationships with all partners as we implement WIOA and continue to make Colorado a model for the nation.
Proposed 2024-2027 WIOA State Plan Open for Public Comment
Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in accordance with the WIOA Sections 102(c)(3) and 20 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 376.130, 34 CFR 361.135, and 34 CFR 463.135, the State of Colorado provided an opportunity for public comment on, and input into the 2024-2027 WIOA Combined State Plan. The plan was available for the public comment period from Nov. 3 through Dec. 4, 2023.
2020-2023 WIOA State Plan
The Colorado 2020-2023 WIOA State Plan went into effect on July 1, 2020. It was updated in 2022 to reflect changes in the economy and the labor market. View the WIOA State Plan here.
Overview
GOAL A: Align state policies and flexible resources to ensure all Coloradans have equitable access to opportunities for quality, life-long education connected to the future of work.
- Formulate, test, and scale the braiding and blending of funding across programs.
- Enhance the execution of SNAP 50/50 so that all communities are maximizing available resources.
- Promote collaboration models between Colorado Works and workforce programs.
- Develop and strengthen programming to support targeted populations.
GOAL B: Increase the awareness of the TalentFOUND network so more individuals and businesses utilize the available resources.
- Increase the flow of individuals into the network through educator training on existing resources and career advisor training.
- Map and promote in-demand industries in a future-ready way with embedded opportunities for work-based learning and apprenticeships.
- Tell the story of the system.
GOAL C: Promote career nimbleness and agility for all Coloradans.
- Focus on career attachment strategies with a path to prosperity.
- Create lifelong upskilling opportunities with earn and learn approaches so that individuals do not have to sacrifice income to increase their skills.
GOAL D: Strengthen partnerships to address job quality as well as individual and community level issues impacting economic mobility.
- Better serve all individuals in need of support by strengthening the alignment and information sharing across programs.
- Support local boards in engaging businesses and key employers to address community issues including childcare, transportation and affordable housing.
Background
The state plan is required to be submitted to the US Departments of Labor and Education under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Development of this plan is a required function of the CWDC and the Governor must approve the plan prior to submission.
The development of the plan was a collaborative effort of local and state partners committed to excellence in serving the citizens of Colorado coordinated by the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
The plan includes an executive summary and seven unique sections.
- State Plan Structure
Section I is a statement of the type of plan being submitted. The options are a unified plan or combined plan, and the difference is how many programs are collaboratively involved in the plan. Colorado is submitting a combined plan.
Section II is the strategic analysis that provides data on our economy and workforce, information on existing programs, and the overarching goals for the next four years.
Section III is the operational section that details how the partner programs will work together to make the goals in section II a reality. This section includes information on partnerships, technology, funding formulas, and specific initiatives to better serve customers.
Section IV is a statement of how combined planning was conducted with all partners.
Section V is a list of assurances that the state is making regarding the development and ongoing governance of this plan.
Section VI includes detailed operational plans for the core programs. Core programs are funded by WIOA and all report on the same performance measurements.
Section VII includes detailed operational plans for the combined plan programs. These programs opted to join this planning process in an effort to best align services throughout Colorado.
Archive
- 2016-2019 WIOA State Plan
Colorado's previous state plan was approved by the federal government in fall 2016, and was in effect through July 1, 2020. View the 2016-2019 State Plan.
Read the State Plan
The 2020-2023 WIOA State Plan went into effect on July 1, 2020. It was updated in 2022 to reflect changes in the economy and the labor market.