Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- a. State Strategy Implementation
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include–
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. D. Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Employers
Describe how the entities carrying out the respective core programs, any Combined State Plan partner program included in this plan, required and optional one-stop partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality services to employers to meet their current and projected workforce needs and to achieve the goals of industry or sector partners in the state. The activities described shall conform to the statutory requirements of each program.
Current Narrative:
Statewide Business Services Alignment Initiative
In June 2011, business development services teams from workforce centers across the state began a dialogue that evolved into part of the workforce system’s strategic effort to address gaps in serving businesses across all workforce programs. The vision of the Statewide Business Services Alignment Initiative is “to provide seamless access to business development for all employers and produce positive economic return for business/industry and our communities.”
The areas of focus have expanded and are addressed by workgroups comprised of Business Development Representatives and charged with the mission of standardizing business practices. The key topic areas addressed by workgroups under this initiative include:
- Work Based Learning
- Identifying, expanding, and leveraging community partnerships
- Marketing/outreach
- Communications and enhanced economic reporting
- Staff development
- Technology
These areas of focus are embedded in a plan of action, approved by the State’s local workforce directors, to create an integrated system that responds rapidly to Colorado business needs through easy to use technology and services that result in ready access to a skilled and competitive workforce.
A priority for PY20 is to develop partnerships that enhance service to Colorado businesses while reducing redundancy and silos. The statewide Business Services Team expanded to engage additional staff from the required one-stop partner programs. DVR’s internal Business Outreach Specialist Program is deeply engaged with the statewide business services team as well as Job Navigators from the Department of Corrections Division of Adult Parole. New Business Services staff from the Community Colleges will be integrated into the statewide business services initiative over the coming year. These partnerships will be leveraged to create one primary public point of contact for an employer while also connecting the business with a broad pipeline of workers across programs and agencies.
The coming year will also see increased alignment of business services with the statewide career services alignment initiative. The result will be a seamless connection between business and job seekers.
DVR has a long history of providing services to employers and since 2016 has developed strong collaboration with the Business Services Team, aligning strategies to maximize the benefits of a demand-driven system. DVR continues to provide Disability Awareness Training and technical assistance to businesses and to core and combined plan partners to meet the needs of Colorado employers and promote a diverse workforce. DVR utilizes the resources and tools that are available through the local business services programs and through local sector partnerships to train local DVR staff and will continue to do so as DVR teams refocus efforts to ensure the effective use of labor market information to support employment of individuals with disabilities in key sectors. Training will continue to reinforce the use of common terminology among onestop partners, how to use labor market information to educate individuals with disabilities about opportunities, and the language and culture of business and the private sector. Finally, pre-employment transition services are provided to students with disabilities, including work experiences, to assure that youth and young adults are better-prepared for the services they will receive through other core and partner programs.
While five of the six core programs have experience working with businesses, serving employers is a new concept for adult education and family literacy. Therefore, AEI will provide guidance and support for programs so that they can incorporate employer feedback to ensure effective and efficient programming. Further, AEI will develop and provide technical assistance for adult education and family literacy providers funded through Title II on utilization of new or existing business and industry advisory committees to ensure that necessary workplace readiness skills are integrated into curriculum so that adult education and family literacy clients are prepared to transition to post-secondary education and training to increase wage-earning capability.
Finally, the Senior Community Service Employment Program has always been a demand-driven program that supports on-going communication and continual feedback with employers and workers. The State collaborates with the WFCs, community college system and local employers to maximize unsubsidized employment opportunities for SCSEP participants. SCSEP job developers work with regional chambers of commerce, labor unions, community colleges and local employers to identify employment positions available and training needs, and these efforts will also be integrated into the Statewide Business Services Team.
Statewide work on the integration of New Americans will also include ensuring that immigrants and refugees skills and experiences are conveyed and relevant to the business community. While many New Americans have foreign-based experience, they have talents applicable to Colorado’s business needs. Colorado will work to ensure this experience is readily understood by Colorado’s employers.
Efficient services to businesses across all partners requires data integration, and system alignment efforts between the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) and the State’s labor exchange and workforce case management system, Connecting Colorado, have been under way for nearly 2 years. This improved system integration will enable users of both systems to serve customers more fluidly across workforce and human service programs, thus reducing duplicate effort and data entry, and will support business service staff in both systems through the ability to better understand and match participants to employer needs. This initiative will require continued support moving forward. Human service staff who specialize in business development will be invited to participate in the business services alignment group through the workforce system.
Moving forward, the Business Services Team, inclusive of one-stop partner staff, will be the primary vehicle for alignment of efforts and coordinated services to employers. CDLE will continue to hold annual Business Services Summits to provide a forum for business services staff to discuss ways to improve statewide branding, service delivery and performance outcomes, and develop new innovations and strategies.