HB21-1264 allocates $25 million to Investments in Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next-skilling (RUN) Workers.
Of these funds:
- $20.75 million was allocated to Local Workforce Boards to help job seekers earn short-term credentials. Visit readytorise.me to get connected.
- $3 million was competed out to community-based organizations through the CWDC (learn more about the organizations who were most recently awarded grants here); and
- $1.25 million will be used for outreach, promotion, the use of digital platforms, and statewide licenses.
In recognition of the unique and varied needs of Colorado’s communities, part of the funding will address priorities specific to rural areas. The Rural RUN Workers Grant is part of the larger RUN grant and supports rural organizations that facilitate or are planning to facilitate training for unemployed and underemployed Coloradans to earn industry-recognized credentials, which equip workers with in-demand skills while addressing the skills gaps many employers are facing.
To view the list of organizations and vendors that received funding, visit the Grants Recipients page.
Did you know? RUN funding can help job seekers earn short-term credentials.
Workers, job seekers, and learners impacted by the pandemic can take advantage of RUN funding delivered through workforce centers and community-based organizations to earn a short-term credential that leads to an in-demand, well-paying career. Participants can choose from hundreds of certificates in fields as diverse as the building trades, communications and marketing, software engineering, and project management.
If you are looking for a good job or new career, visit readytorise.me to learn more and complete a form to have someone contact you from your local workforce center to explore short-term credentials at no cost to you.
About the Ready to Rise Marketing Campaign
In fall 2021, Colorado state agencies partnered on the Ready to Rise campaign to raise awareness of and connect individuals to the many stimulus opportunities available through the Colorado Recovery Plan. The initial Ready to Rise campaign ran from September 2021 to early January 2022. It showed great success in building awareness of stimulus opportunities, driving 42,000 new visitors to the ReadytoRiseCO.org landing page from September through December 2021.
In the second phase of outreach during Q1 and Q2 of 2022, the CWDC and Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE) focused more explicitly on enrollment in stimulus programs, with a specific focus on enrollments in Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next-skilling (RUN) opportunities available via HB21-1264. The CWDC, CDLE, and local partners are working to support 4,900 COVID-19 impacted Coloradans to complete training opportunities.
Access the RUN Outreach Communications Toolkit for promotional materials. For additional questions about the campaign or how to get involved, please contact keri.funkhouser@state.co.us.