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:
Colorado coordinates and aligns the provision of services to employers through a Statewide Business Services Alignment Initiative. The initiative is managed by a Business Services Leadership Team (BSLT) that is supported by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The BSLT represents almost 100 business service representatives across the State and is inclusive of staff from all core programs. These representatives conduct services targeted at supporting businesses talent pipeline needs, while creating opportunity for our workforce system customers. The services offered to businesses, specifically virtual and in-person job fairs, benefit the customers of all core programs and can be utilized by the JVSG team, TANF, SCSEP, CSBG, and SNAP Employment & Training.
As the PY24-27 plan moves into implementation, the BSLT has 3 active task forces working on the areas below:
Core Business Services
This task force is reviewing and updating the current core business services definitions, updating the business services PGL and manual, and creating a new certification exam.
Regional Work-Based Learning
This task force is developing a comprehensive toolkit. They aim to simplify processes, provide best practices for employer engagement, establish a common language for Work-Based Learning (WBL), and compile reference materials for setting up regional/statewide programs.
Registered Apprenticeship Program Support
This task force is developing a process to ensure registered apprenticeships are supported by the workforce system across the State of Colorado.
In previous years, this task force created comprehensive materials for statewide business service representatives, focusing on resources for consistent engagement within the business community.
An emphasis has been placed on training business services staff of all core and partner programs on how to best respond to business customers. A training manual was developed as well as onboarding videos that can be accessed through a system wide learning management system maintained by the title II administrative team. Annually, business services staff come together for in-person training experiences that are used to enhance their skills and strengthen collaboration.
In 2024, the BSLT will be partnering with the Economic Development Council of Colorado to cohost a statewide conference. This event will place workforce system staff and staff of all partner programs who work with businesses next to economic developers for three days of learning and interaction. This approach will create new partnerships and help to accelerate the role of workforce development in attracting and retaining businesses in local communities.
During conferences and other training events, all programs contribute to the agenda to ensure that the actions being promoted align with the statutory requirements of each program.
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. A Global Talent Task Force is run by the Office of New Americans that works to connect businesses with newly arrived talent, and information is dispersed to a network of stakeholders supporting this population on a regular basis.