Colorado has a reputation for meeting its workforce needs in part by importing a large share of highly educated workers; the state must also ensure that the education and training pipelines within the state are adequately preparing youth and adults for the workforce and are aligned with the needs of the economy. Our conventional talent pipeline--as measured by the number of 9th graders that complete a Colorado public high school degree, directly enter...

The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) advises the Governor and the Colorado Legislature on policy matters related to all programs and activities funded by the Workforce Investment Act. The CWDC has been engaged in creative alliances with industry, economic development, and education which have helped to infuse over $10 million into the workforce system to support the enrollment, training, and placement of the unemployed, under-employed,...

The workforce development work we are doing in Colorado is working, and we are determined to continue this critical work in ensuring that Colorado has one of the best talent development systems in the country. Our workforce is among the most educated, with almost 50 percent of the adult population having a post-secondary degree, and our workforce system is leading the way with innovative approaches to help workers not only get jobs, but enter careers....

The Workforce Investment Act creates an avenue for business to participate in the local delivery of Workforce Development Services. The principal vehicle for this is through Workforce Investment Board (WIBs) which are chaired by private sector members of the local community.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 provides the framework for implementation of Colorado's workforce system, which addresses the needs of the State's businesses for a skilled workforce and the needs of job seekers who want to further their careers.