(DENVER) — The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) released the annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report on Wednesday, January 15. The 11th edition provides an in-depth analysis of the critical factors shaping the supply and demand for talent across Colorado’s key industries. It offers actionable insights for workforce and economic development, education and training providers, businesses, and policymakers.
“We are excited to share this latest Colorado Talent Pipeline Report," said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, managing director, Colorado Workforce Development Council. "Colorado continues to leverage data to inform how we best serve job seekers, students, workers, and businesses and ensure Coloradans have access to meaningful careers and businesses have access to skilled talent.”
The report serves as a tool to inform legislation, design and implement programs, and align cross-sector partners with Colorado’s talent landscape. Key sections include the state’s economic conditions, talent demand and supply, talent development strategies, and policy recommendations.
“As we release the 2024 Talent Pipeline Report, we are reminded of Colorado’s ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant and adaptable workforce. The rapidly evolving demands of our economy require innovative approaches to education, skills training, and workforce development,” said Executive Director Dr. Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Higher Education. “This report highlights the importance of strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions, industry leaders, and community organizations to ensure our students and workers are equipped for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow.”
Top Jobs, Strategies, and Recommendations
The 2024 Talent Pipeline Report outlines areas of growing demand, opportunities for workforce alignment, key features of the current labor force, and strategies to balance the supply and demand equation for talent. It also highlights top jobs in Colorado — jobs with high annual openings, above-average growth, and a good wage.
The report shares updates on current key talent development strategies, with a focus on four strategic priorities identified in the most recent Workforce Innovation and Opportunity State Plan: access, affordability, quality, and equity.
To equip workers and learners with the skills they need to advance and help businesses thrive, three policy recommendations were put forth:
- Strengthen support for employers’ talent development strategies,
- Increase the availability of career-connected learning opportunities, and
- Ensure the design of Colorado’s talent development ecosystem is optimized for innovation, governance, and results.
The 2024 Talent Pipeline Report reaffirms Colorado’s ongoing commitment to data-driven decisions as well as continuing to advance innovation in our talent development strategies to better meet the needs of our businesses, job seekers, workers, and learners.
The report was unveiled during a hybrid event Wednesday, January 15, 2025, attended by more than 400 people between online and in-person attendees. Hosted by CWDC Chair Jonathan Liebert, the event featured key data insights and an overview of the policy recommendations.
The program concluded with a panel discussion of the report featuring Executive Director Joe Barela, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; Executive Director Dr. Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Higher Education; Commissioner of Education Dr. Susana Córdova, Colorado Department of Education; and Executive Director Eve Lieberman, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
The Colorado Workforce Development Council develops the Talent Pipeline Report in partnership with the Colorado Departments of Higher Education, Labor and Employment, Education, Human Services, Local Affairs, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. You can access the Talent Pipeline Report and all appendices on the CWDC website.
About the Colorado Workforce Development Council
The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is a Governor-appointed, public-private partnership with the purpose to advise, oversee, and integrate the work of the Colorado talent development network. The vision of the CWDC is that every Colorado employer has access to a skilled workforce and every Coloradan has the opportunity for meaningful employment, resulting in individual and statewide economic prosperity. The CWDC’s mission is to enhance and sustain a skills-based talent development network that meets the needs of employers, workers, job seekers, and learners for today and tomorrow.
###
Resources Mentioned
2024 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report
Contact
Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations at CDLE
633 17th Street, Suite 1200
Denver, CO 80202
cdle_pr@state.co.us