Technical Assistance

The CWDC provides assistance to our network partners to advance talent development initiatives in their communities. Explore the sections below for specific opportunities to receive technical assistance from the CWDC. 

• Consultative Technical Assistance
  • 2023 Spring/Summer Modules - Learn More
  • Skills-based Hiring Module - Transforming HR Practices to Reach Organizational Success - Learn More Apply by July 11, 2023 at 5 p.m.
  • Sector Partnership Module - Engagement and Retention for Success - Regional Teams Model - Learn More Apply by April 17, 2023, at 12 p.m. 
  • Work-based Learning Module - Developing and Implementing High Quality Experiences - Learn More Apply by June 5, 2023, at 5 p.m.
  • Disability Support Navigation Module - Learn More Apply by June 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.
  • Engaging Economic Development Councils - Learn More Apply by July 20, 2023 at 5 p.m.
• Financial Technical Assistance

Consultative Technical Assistance

The following technical assistance (TA) modules have been created in an effort to streamline training and support offered through the CWDC to our talent development network partners. The intent of the CWDC consultative technical assistance modules is to:

• Build comprehensive skills and capacity for talent development stakeholders
• Create networks for ongoing support in adopting and implementing proven talent development strategies
• Support work across partners and stakeholders 
• Increase impacts across Colorado’s talent development system

The technical assistance modules currently open for applications are listed below. Please note the application deadlines and apply through the technical assistance portal. Email Tony R Smith, Senior Consultant for Innovation and Effectiveness, at tony.smith@state.co.us with any questions or needs.

Note: First time visitors to the technical assistance portal will be prompted to create a login. Please use the following steps to get started: 

• Use work email address as your username 
• Create a unique password
• Click ‘apply’ if you are interested in applying for a module. 
   

2023 Spring/Summer Technical Assistance Modules

Skills-based Hiring Module - Transforming HR Practices to Reach Organizational Success

Application Deadline: July 11, 2023 at 5 p.m.

This module consists of three 90 minute sessions of facilitated learning discussions, employer panels, and cooperative learning breakout sessions. Participants will learn to define/articulate organizational impacts of skills-based hiring, use of skills-based hiring as a recruitment strategy, and skills-based hiring as a selection strategy.

Additional Details

Participants must commit to all three 90 minute sessions and agree to potential follow up from the facilitators and/or Workforce Business Services professionals for continued support. For more information and/or questions, please contact the facilitators: 

• Sami Mooney: samimooney@elpasoco.com
• Erica Romero: ericaromero@elpasoco.com

Who should apply?

Colorado employers within the TalentFOUND Network and/or sector partnership network. Participants need to have influence in changing aspects of recruitment and hiring including but not limited to job descriptions, policies, and procedures. Participants will also need to have a basic understanding of how skills based hiring connects to the overall Job Quality Framework. 

Timeframe

July 18, August 8, and August 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sector Partnership Module - Engagement and Retention for Success - Regional Teams Model

Application Deadline: April 17, 2023 at 12 p.m.

This module will help sector partnerships build engagement to achieve partnership goals. The first session will guide you through a self-assessment of your regional team to identify opportunities to strengthen the regional team behind your sector partnership. The second session will give you a practical understanding of how to help public partners identify and play constructive roles in support of sector partnerships, not as an add-on activity, but as a way of fulfilling their core mission more effectively.
 

Additional Details

The sessions for this technical assistance will cover best practices, resources, and methods for:

Session 1: It Takes A Team: How To Build A Bench of Public Partners Committed to Sector Partnership Success

Sector partnerships are a team sport. But it's not always easy to get the buy-in and commitment you need from public partners to build partnerships that achieve real impact. This session will guide you through a self-assessment of your regional team to identify opportunities to strengthen the regional team behind your sector partnership. You can expect to come away with new ideas and practical strategies for building your bench of public partners jointly committed to sector partnership success. 

Session 2: “What’s In It For Me?”: How To Get Partners to Play Constructive Roles in Support of Sector Partnerships

Partner fatigue is real. With so many initiatives, grants, and programs underway, it can be tough to make the case for why sector partnerships deserve time and attention from partners who are busier than ever. This session will give you a practical understanding of how to help public partners identify and play constructive roles in support of sector partnerships, not as an add-on activity, but as a way of fulfilling their core mission more effectively. This session will include a spotlight on another region using the NextGen model to give you a real example and the real scoop on how to make a compelling "what's in it for me" that gets partners re-energized and motivated to play constructive roles in support of sector partnerships.

Who should apply?

• Members of active or exploring sector partnerships
• Sector partnership conveners

Timeframe

April 26 and May 4 from 1-2 p.m.

 Work-based Learning Module - Developing and Implementing High Quality Experiences

Application Deadline: June 5, 2023, at 5 p.m.

As support for work-based learning (WBL) evolves and grows across the state, new resources continue to be developed to support initiatives. Using best practices, quality standards, and subject matter experts, this technical assistance module will provide the latest resources and network connections to increase quality in work-based learning experiences and their development.
 

Additional Details

Participants will learn: 

Work-Based learning overview (June) 

• Continuum
• Quality definitions

Federal/State regulations (July) 

• Compensation requirements
• Safety
• Workman’s comp and liability

Evidence-informed program design (August) 

• Labor market alignment
• Defining learning objectives (transferable skills), participant tracking, and intentionally designed reflection opportunities
• Equitable access
• Data collection

Relationship building/Social capital (September) 

• Youth engagement strategies
• Collaborative design
• Wraparound supports
   

Who should apply?

• Educators, administrators, and intermediaries who support WBL programs
• Employers (developing and/or running WBL)
• Local area workforce staff (supporting and/or working with WBL)

Timeframe

June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 11 from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Disability Support Navigation Module

Application Deadline: June 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.

As the world of work continues to evolve post pandemic, opportunities for increasing access to employment (in person, hybrid, and virtual) for people of all abilities are abundant. This module will provide resources for support, networking, and more to support these growing opportunities. Participants will break down barriers, reduce stigma, and learn the benefits that job seekers with disabilities bring to the workforce. 
 

Additional Details

The modules for this technical assistance will cover best practices, resources, and methods for:

• Module 1: Americans with Disabilities Act
• Module 2: Disability Awareness
• Module 3: Reasonable Accommodation
• Module 4: Employer Panel

Who should apply?

• Employers 
• Local area workforce staff 

Timeframe

June 14, July 12, August 9, September 6 from 10-11 a.m.

Engaging  Economic Development Councils 

Application Deadline: July 20, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Successful relationship development with economic development partners is a key skill for talented local area workforce business services professionals. As the world of work continues to evolve, so does the landscape for economic development in the state. Participants will learn from experts in economic development about best practices for relationship development. Participants will also have an opportunity to develop action plans with experts to further develop their connections and collaboration with economic development partners in the state. 
 

Additional Details

The modules for this technical assistance will cover best practices, resources, and methods for:

• Economic Development 101
• Moderated panel of economic development professionals
• Breakout working groups and calls to action for implementation
   

Who should apply?

• Local area workforce staff
• Sector Partnership Conveners

Timeframe

July (TBD), August 24, and September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Past Opportunities & Resources

Click the drop down menus below to explore previous TA modules and training opportunities and related resources. 

2022-23 Winter/Spring TA Modules

Integrating Job Quality and Equity Into Business Services | Nov. - Dec. 2022

Job quality and equity are critical components of a thriving and robust state and local talent development ecosystem. Join this training to explore approaches to integrate job quality and equity into your core business services approaches. The virtual sessions will ground business services staff in approaches to accelerate local priorities informed by approaches that help to strengthen the availability of quality jobs within the local job market. 

• Session 1 - The What and Why of Job Quality - View Recording and Slides 
• Session 2 - Assessing the Quality of Jobs in your Local Labor Market and Adopting a Local Job Quality Strategy - View Recording and Slides
• Session 3 - Talking to Businesses About How Job Quality Impacts Current and Future Workers - View Recording and Slides
• Session 4 - Equipping Employers with Insights into the Worker Experience - View Recording and Slides

Sector Partnerships Module: Convening, Supporting, and Sustaining National Next-Gen Sector Partnerships (Training Series with the Institute for Networked Communities) | Nov. - Dec. 2022

The CWDC is contracting with the Institute for Networked Communities (INC), the national organization behind the Next Gen Sector Partnership model, to host a three session training series for regional sector partnership teams, new sector partnership conveners, or those interested in a reset/refresh. The training series will provide a refreshed understanding on the Next Gen model, what makes it distinct from other approaches, what success looks like, and what is required to build and sustain effective sector partnerships. Participants will learn from effective sector partnerships throughout the country and will have access to monthly coaching calls with Institute for Networked Communities January-May 2023. 

Rework America Alliance - Activator Training Series (Skills-based Hiring Module) | February & March 2023

On behalf of the Markle Foundation and the Rework America Alliance, we invite you to attend an Activator Cohort Training to provide you with additional tools and resources in your ongoing engagement with employers. This training will help you become an Activator who drives the adoption of inclusive, skills-based practices in your community. An Activator enables employers in their community to leverage the abilities of current employees and expand their talent pools to increase diversity and productivity. Find more information on our upcoming Activator Trainings below. Learn more about becoming an Activator in this video.
 

My Colorado Journey Module: Implementing My Colorado Journey | February - March 2023

Learn how My Colorado Journey (MCJ), a free online state resource, makes it easy for educators and career counselors to walk alongside students and job seekers as they explore career, education, and training opportunities. This five-week module will demonstrate avenues for people to align personal aspirations with education and career pathways, explore Colorado’s top jobs, and tap into personal and financial support services. Don’t miss this informative introduction to Colorado’s one-stop shop for students, job seekers, and those who advise them.

Focused content will be provided for those who work with students and for those who work with adults who are unemployed or seeking to reskill, upskill, or next-skill.

Financial Technical Assistance

There are no funding opportunities currently accepting applications. This page will be updated as new opportunities become available.