Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance

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The Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance (CUWA) is a multi-regional workforce collaborative which exists to support and promote multi-regional workforce collaborations, sector initiatives and other workforce development activities. With membership consisting of 9 of the 10 Federally recognized Workforce Development Areas, and 1 Sub-Area within the Rural Consortium, CUWA covers approximately 80% of the states workforce, along the Front Range Urban Corridor From Colorado Springs to the Northern Colorado Border and Mesa County on the Western Slope.

Overview

Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance (CUWA) supports system needs through a variety of activities including advocacy, strategic planning, collaboration and partnerships. Originally designed to serve as a way to ensure collaboration within a small area, CUWA has grown to serve majority of the state at all levels from local to national. The current director, Todd Nielsen, brings over 25 years of extensive experience in workforce development programs. His background includes firsthand knowledge of various levels within Workforce, spanning customer engagement, program case management, leadership, MIS, and more.

Working with leaders across the state, CUWA helps act as a strike force when complexities arise, allowing subject matter experts to tackle issues in a timely manner. Additionally, CUWA’s Director serves as the executive sponsor for a number of statewide workgroups including:

  • Workforce Intelligence Data Experts (WIDE) – Collaborative team of data subject matter experts that align data releases for Local – State to ensure consistency. Develop reports including industry whitepapers and products such as Return on Investment/Economic Impact reports for the Colorado Workforce System.
  • Business Services Leadership Team (BSLT) - A statewide approach to provide seamless business services in a manner that maximizes the opportunities for businesses that use Workforce Center services to employ qualified workers while having a positive experience to support the state’s economic competitiveness.
  • Career Services Alignment Leadership Team (CSALT) – A re-emerging leadership team designed to ensure seamless service delivery for Career Seekers that maximizes the opportunities for job seeking customers seeking services.  
  • Colorado Operators Group (COG) – Comprised of Workforce Leaders including Administrators, Assistant Directors, Operations Managers – this monthly meeting allows regions to collaborate on projects that ensure success.
  • Talent Finance Cohort – With Federal workforce funding continuing to decline, this group is working with non-traditional funding sources in exploration of opportunities not currently offered through Colorado Workforce Centers. Funding collaborative examples include Non-Profit, Philanthropic and Venture Capital funds that may be tapped in the near future.
  • Additional Efforts as Identified

Regional Partnerships

Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance (CUWA) is funded by fees paid by members of the following Workforce Development Boards:

State/National Partnerships

Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association (RMWDA) – The Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association is a non-profit organization that is a partnership of state and local workforce centers with the CWDC, CDLE, and CDHS.

Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) – 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 CWDC Office is the work unit that supports the Council in their work 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. https://cwdc.colorado.gov

Colorado Department of Labor & Employment – Workforce Development Programs (CDLE-WDP) – Workforce Development Programs (WDP) oversees many of the State’s Federal Workforce Programs and state funded and discretionary programs. WDP is responsible for administering and delivering programs that support the Colorado Workforce System. WDP connects youth and adults new to or re-entering the labor force, unemployed, underemployed, special populations, Veterans, incumbent workers and GIG economy employers to a skilled labor pool. https://cdle.colorado.gov/jobs-training

Office of the Future of Work (OFW) – The world of work is changing, propelling some to greater heights while leaving others behind. Globalization, advances in technology, demographic shifts, and other factors leave many wondering whether we, as a society, are ready to face the many challenges tomorrow’s economy will bring. That’s why the Office of the Future of Work (OFW) was created: to understand, prepare for, and develop policy and programmatic solutions to foster an economy that works for everyone in Colorado. The OFW shapes an equitable economy of the future and ensures that Coloradans are equipped with the necessary education, training, skills, and tools to fully participate in the labor force.

The office, created by an Executive Order from Governor Polis on September 4, 2019 and codified into law in SB23-051: Conforming Workforce Development Statutes in March 2023 also seeks to raise awareness about the future of work. To accomplish its goals, the office works in partnership with other state departments, convenes summits with diverse stakeholders across regions, and establishes task forces and working groups. https://cdle.colorado.gov/future-of-work

Apprenticeship Colorado – State Apprenticeship Agency - Apprenticeship Colorado is the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in Colorado that is responsible for oversight and registration of Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. https://apprenticeship.colorado.gov/

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) – NAWDP is a professional association representing individual workforce development and human resources practitioners, who connect job seekers, educators and companies to advance the American Economy. NAWDP provides the professional development, resources, and certification credibility to individuals seeking to thrive in the workforce development industry as thought leaders and innovators. As the leading advocate for workforce development professionals, NAWDP builds relationships and connections with other industry-leading organizations to challenge and collaborate for the advancement of the industry.  https://www.nawdp.org/

National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) – NAWB represents and advocates for the nation’s 550+ Workforce Development Boards, which coordinate with education and economic development stakeholders to administer regional workforce programs which meet the needs of job seekers, career-seekers, businesses, and communities. https://www.nawb.org/

 

FAQs

COMING SOON – Please send your questions to CUWA