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2 Year Modification

Plan: Colorado PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. a. 2. G.

Published
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—

III. a. 2. G. Leveraging Resources to Increase Educational Access

Describe how the State’s strategies will enable the State to leverage other Federal, State, and local investments that have enhanced access to workforce development programs at the above institutions, described in section (E).

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

  1. LEVERAGING RESOURCES TO INCREASE EDUCATIONAL ACCESS 

Strong collaboration and engagement across agencies is critical to achieving the aforementioned goals, and there is a shared commitment within state agencies, the Governor’s office, and the state legislature to ensure collaboration works to achieve the best outcomes for 

Coloradans. Since 2013, multiple bills have passed the state legislature that focus on sector partnerships and career pathways and create new funding streams to support demand-driven workforce development activities. 

  • Colorado House Bill 13-1165, Development of a Manufacturing Career Pathway, required that the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education 

(SBCCOE) collaborate with the Department of Higher Education (DHE), the Colorado 

Department of Education (CDE), and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), to design a career pathway for students seeking employment in the manufacturing sector. 

  • Senate Bill 14-205 required that the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) within the CDLE work with the DHE, the CDE, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to create a talent pipeline infrastructure for use in creating career pathways for students. 
  • Colorado House Bill 15-1274, Creation of Career Pathways for Students for Critical Occupations in Growing Industries, requires the CWDC, in collaboration and consultation with its partners (including state agencies, Superintendents of local school districts, local Workforce Centers, and industry partners), to design integrated career pathways for growth industries. The designed career pathways must focus on critical occupations in growth industries that do not currently have clearly articulated career pathways. The bill requires partnerships with industry (through regional sector partnerships) and trade associations to inform and drive the development of each pathway. Industry partners must also review each career pathway annually to ensure the pathway remains relevant to the industry and to provide input for ongoing adjustments to the pathway to meet workforce needs. 
  • Colorado House Bill 15-1230, Innovative Industries Workforce Development Program, directed the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to enter into an agreement with one intermediary per innovative industry to work with the CWDC and its statewide partners on the following: Facilitate outreach to employers; Market the program; Inform the development of intern curriculum; Identify internship opportunities for individuals; and work with the CWDC and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Employment and Training Division (CDLE E&T Division) to determine what businesses should be pre-approved if more businesses apply than funding is available. The Innovative Industries Internship (III) program was approved by state legislators in 2015 and implemented the same year to meet the critical needs of our local economy in finding qualified talent for innovative industry-related businesses. Many 21st century jobs in innovative industries require formal post-secondary training or education and students in Colorado’s high school and college systems could benefit from exposure to career employment through internship opportunities that create career pathways. Internships are a recognized way to support our local talent pipeline while aligning with education, work-based training, and work-based learning. The III program incentivizes employers to find, hire, and train interns by providing up to $5,000 to help provide students with hands-on experience in one of the eight innovative industries: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, construction, electronics, energy & natural resources, engineering, and information technology. The program was completed in June 2021.
  • Colorado HB 15-1170 Increasing Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness creates the position of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Statewide Coordinator (position shall be named the Education Liaison) to work under the CWDC in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The Education Liaison will work with secondary school districts, area vocational schools, Community Colleges, the CDE, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the career and technical education division within the community college system to raise the level of PWR achieved by high school graduates. 
  • Colorado House Bill 19-1236, Workforce Diploma Pilot Program creates the workforce diploma pilot program in the department of education to award completion payments to qualified providers for the attainment of certain outcomes achieved by eligible students enrolled in the courses or programs, including earning high school diplomas, course credits, or industry-recognized training certificates. 
  • Colorado House Bill 19-1294 Transfer Apprenticeship Credit to College Credit, creates a working group that will determine the most efficient and appropriate manner in which to facilitate the transfer of earned construction industry registered apprenticeship program credit to college credit. 
  • Colorado Senate Bill 19-216 High School Innovative Learning Pilot, creates the high school innovative learning pilot program to support school districts, boards of cooperative services, and charter schools (local education providers) in providing innovative learning opportunities to students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 (high school students).