GRAND JUNCTION – Today, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Regional Talent Summit at the Mesa County Workforce Center to convene industry and community leaders, discuss much needed career pathway solutions and begin developing tactical workforce plans to ensure that Colorado workers develop the skills employers need.
“In Colorado, we’re making sure local talent meets the demands of the industries shaping our future. These important regional conversations will inform our statewide approach to helping more Coloradans access good-paying careers and ensuring employers can find the skilled workforce they need to succeed,” said Gov. Polis.
Today’s summit focused on the construction, early childhood education, and healthcare industries in Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco, and San Miguel counties.
“As a state, we are doubling down on workforce development to connect Coloradans to good-paying jobs while supporting regional economic development goals. Today’s Regional Talent Summit will result in a tactical action plan developed by community and business leaders from across Western Colorado to meet the region’s unique goals and needs," said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.
“At the Grand Junction Chamber, championing workforce solutions is one of our highest priorities—and we know it takes partnership to drive real progress. That’s why we’re honored to serve as host and regional convener for this Summit, bringing voices together from across the ten-county region to ensure every corner of Western Colorado is represented in building a sustainable, inclusive talent pipeline,” said Candace Carnahan, President & CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
Today’s event is one of seven Regional Talent Summits taking place across the state. Established by HB24-1365, these summits build on the impact of the Opportunity Now grant program which has, to date, distributed nearly $90 million to 89 grant recipients to launch and expand innovative talent development programs across the state.
The Western Slope and Grand Valley have received nearly $7 million in Opportunity Now grants through six grantees, across the healthcare and construction industries.
- Colorado Mesa Technical University (CMU-Tech) - $1,625,468 to launch health and dental training with 20 industry partners. Establishing a dental hygiene clinic to serve Mesa and surrounding counties while offering training opportunities in dental care. A mobile learning lab will support training for medical assistants, nursing aides, and EMT/paramedics for rural Western Slope communities.
- Colorado River Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) - $1,496,958 to support the Educational Pathways to Innovative Careers (EPIC) program, which builds tiny homes for students to learn the construction industry while providing housing for teachers on the Western Slope.
- The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce - $49,750 to connect students and young adults with work-based learning opportunities and jobs throughout the Grand Valley through Find Your Future.
- Intermountain Health (IHC Health Services, Inc.) Grand Junction presence: St. Mary’s Hospital - $1,944,938 for the Pathfinders Program to provide on-the-job training opportunities for front line staff to transition into care and provider roles, such as nursing aides and nurses.
- Family Health West Foundation - $1,559,427 to offer career advancement and opportunities in healthcare through apprenticeship and on-the-job training. By partnering with Colorado Mesa University - Tech, the program serves 14 Western Colorado counties to train nurses, respiratory and inpatient/outpatient therapy, phlebotomy and radiology training.
- Western Colorado University (WCU) - $1,513,818 - Gunnison Valley Health is working to fill healthcare positions through an innovative program with WCU. Western will offer certified nursing assistant training and credentials, allowing for rapid entry into the workforce and a 12-month accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Grant recipients from Colorado River BOCES, CMU Tech, and Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families participated in today’s summit.
The Regional Talent Summits were established by HB24-1365. Bill sponsors included western Colorado’s Rep. Meghan Lukens and Rep. Matt Soper.
“Growing our workforce is a top issue in northwest Colorado, and these Regional Talent Summits represent an opportunity to develop local solutions that meet local needs. Today’s conversation is the first step to ensure western Colorado communities have more qualified construction workers, early childhood educators and healthcare workers—all essential to a strong and thriving community,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens.
“When more Coloradans develop the skills to fill open positions in construction, early childhood education, and healthcare it will be a win win for western Colorado. More of our region’s residents will have jobs that help them support their families and we’ll have more services in these critical industries,” said Rep. Matt Soper.
“Working families are the backbone of our state, and today’s Regional Talent Summit is an important step to make sure more Coloradans can access the training they need to qualify for important jobs. When we implement the plans identified today, more of our friends and neighbors in western Colorado will have new opportunities,” said Majority Co-Whip Elizabeth Velasco.
“Thoughtful collaboration is the best way to provide solutions to our most pressing needs, and today’s Regional Talent Summit brings together leaders from businesses and communities across rural Colorado. I look forward to the tactical action plan that results and working alongside business, education and community leaders to connect more Coloradans to good jobs,” said Assistant Minority Leader Cleave Simpson.
"We do our best work when we work together, and today’s Regional Talent Summit is a great example. The resulting tactical action plan developed by community and business leaders from across Western Colorado will meet the region’s unique goals and needs, and give us a way to move forward so we can fill important jobs in construction, early childhood education, and healthcare," said Minority Whip Janice Rich.
“Workforce development works best when it is as local as possible. When local companies, educators and community leaders work together like they did today, we can help more western Coloradans train for jobs in construction, early childhood education, and healthcare,” said Sen. Marc Catlin.
"This Regional Talent Summit is a critical step to empower Western Colorado workers. By focusing on key industries and fostering collaboration between businesses and educators, we are creating pathways for individuals to learn new skills, advance their careers, and secure good-paying jobs right here in our communities,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts.
“Across our region, we need more workers in the important fields of construction, early childhood education and healthcare—and we want local residents to be able to fill those jobs. Today’s Regional Talent Summit is a step toward making that happen, so more Coloradans can earn a good living and support their families,” said Rep. Larry Don Suckla.
“The outcome of today's Regional Talent Summit will be a practical strategy created collaboratively by Western Colorado's community and business leaders, designed to address the specific objectives and challenges of this region,” said Rep. Rick Taggart.