DENVER - Today, the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) released the eighth annual Talent Pipeline Report, which analyzes and explains relevant labor market information, highlights pandemic data and recovery strategies, and provides data-informed recommendations to enhance the talent pipeline in Colorado.
The 2021 Talent Pipeline report identifies:
- Shifts in demand
- Top Jobs - Jobs with projected high net annual openings, above-average growth rates, and a good wage
- Key features of the current labor force
- Strategies to align supply with industry demand
- Policy recommendations
“Prior to the advent of the pandemic, employers were struggling to find the skilled talent they need to succeed; at the same time, workers had difficulty finding affordable and accessible upskilling and reskilling opportunities,” said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, managing director of the CWDC. “The pandemic has only exacerbated these workforce challenges, which is why the report’s recommendations emphasize the importance of expanding pathways to quality jobs in in-demand industries: if we are to build back stronger, we need to be intentional about strengthening our talent pipeline. By providing information on Colorado’s top jobs and growing industries, the report can help direct these efforts.”
The report also confirms that the pandemic disproportionately affected those belonging to marginalized groups. Armed with the information included in the report, employers, policy makers, and others will be better positioned to advance an equitable recovery that recognizes the unique and varied needs of different communities. To ensure an expedited, equitable, and effective recovery, the report recommends increasing employers’ participation in talent development strategies, strengthening critical industries, and structuring supports necessary to enhance the participation of marginalized populations in the labor force.
The Colorado Workforce Development Council develops the Talent Pipeline Report in partnership with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Human Services, the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Department of Local Affairs State.
You can access the Talent Pipeline Report in full, the report overview, 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.