NGA Summer Meeting in Colorado Springs Features Education, Workforce

Author

Alison Griffin
July 29, 2025

Good afternoon!

🤝 Colorado’s new Executive Order on the components of a high-functioning talent system is spurring new ideas from stakeholders, advocates and policy leaders. At the same time that Colorado considers a more blended approach to education and workforce initiatives, news out of Washington, DC has focused on the implementation of a workforce development partnership between the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor.

💼 The federal effort to create a more integrated education and workforce system seems both daunting and exciting. The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to take a greater role in administering the adult education and family literacy programs funded under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and career and technical education (CTE) programs funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V). This all comes at a time when ED is shrinking and staff numbers are dwindling. The programs will be managed alongside ED staff, with continued leadership and oversight by ED. The shared effort is expected to provide a more coordinated federal education and workforce system consistent with the President’s Executive Order issued in April.

What do you think about this recent move out of Washington? Any insights about connections to our own efforts in Colorado? Share your thoughts with me here.

💬 ICYMI: Today, I moderated a discussion with the Bipartisan Policy Center as part of their America’s Workforce series. Following a presentation by Dr. Casey Sacks with ED and Taylor Stockton with DOL, I sought insights from colleagues with the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and the National Skills Coalition. You can watch the full event here.

🛠 Speaking of talent systems, collaboration and Colorado – a recent op-ed from Steve Taylor with Stand Together Trust and Jason Janz with Colorado-based CrossPurpose argues that the state has a winning strategy to close the workforce talent gap. Read this thoughtful piece from Steve and Jason here.

Related: It was hard to miss the news of federal education funds flowing again to states and districts. Interested in learning more? My Whiteboard Advisors colleague Anna Edwards and W/A Senior Advisor Marguerite Roza will host a webinar tomorrow about the state of federal education funding. Register here.

📆 You’re Invited: on behalf of my colleagues at SmartJob, Enable Ventures, and Strada Education Foundation, our readers are personally invited to the 2025 Disability Innovation Forum taking place in Washington, DC on September 18. The event – in its second year – will bring together more than 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and advocates to explore cutting-edge innovations that support individuals with disabilities in achieving economic mobility and career success. Registration is live here and you can use code SJB30 for a 30% discount off your registration price.

Related: The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office intends to award $2 million in grants to support ideas that will improve the independence and quality of life for Coloradans experiencing a disability. Ideas span technology-enhanced job training, creating accessible outdoor recreational spaces, service dog training and afterschool programs. Learn more about the support for new programs.

🔋 Last week, Governors from around the country gathered in Colorado Springs for the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting where Governor Polis, the most recent Past NGA Chair, wrapped up his Let’s Get Ready! Initiative, unveiled a new Education Roadmap for Governors, and had a conversation with Education Secretary Linda McMahon. NGA welcomed Governor Kevin Stitt from Oklahoma as the next NGA Chair. Governor Stitt announced his initiative “Reigniting the American Dream” alongside Maryland Governor and NGA Vice Chair Wes Moore. Read more about the highlights from the NGA Summer Meeting here.

🏛 Finally: Will you be attending the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit in Boston? I am! I am moderating two sessions: Preparing Students for the Workforce on Monday, August 4 at 4pm ET with panelists Randi Weingarten, Maria Flynn and Jason Dougal; and Higher Ed Value: A Proposition on Tuesday, August 5 at 1:15pm ET with panelists Timothy Knowles, Commissioner Noe Ortega, KL Allen and Sarah Willie-LeBreton.

Drop me a note and let me know if you will be in Boston – I would love to see you!

All my best for a great week,

Alison

Spotlight on Colorado Education and Workforce

💸 The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has announced the Opportunity Now Tax Credit, a new refundable tax credit designed to address talent shortages in critical industries: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, construction, infrastructure, and semiconductors. The initiative was enacted by House Bill 24-1365.

💼 The program provides up to 50% of qualified asset costs for organizations establishing or expanding training programs, with up to $15 million available annually through 2033. Eligible Colorado-based organizations can receive tax credits for land, building, or equipment purchases specifically used for workforce training purposes, with the goal of increasing job placements at living wages in these high-demand sectors. 

The application process begins August 1, 2025, with a pre-qualification questionnaire running through September 16, followed by the full application period which runs from August 18-September 18.

📄 Applications undergo merit-based review by industry experts, with successful applicants notified in December 2025. Organizations must demonstrate regional workforce needs, quality training programs, and partnerships that maximize program reach to be competitive for this valuable workforce development incentive.

Read more about the opportunity here.

What We’re Reading (and Listening To…)

Early Childhood & K-12 Education

  • Early Childhood System Growth: The 2025 KIDS COUNT report from the Colorado Children’s Campaign reports notable advancements in Colorado’s early childhood system. The report reveals growth in areas such as preschool participation, licensed child care capacity, early intervention and evaluations, educator pay, and Head Start access, indicating positive trends in the well-being of Colorado’s youngest learners.

Postsecondary Education

  • Apprenticeship Tax Credit: The application for the New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit is now available. This tax credit created by HB24-1439 encourages the adoption and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in new and emerging industries. It is a refundable state income tax credit that employers of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado can claim for apprentices in these occupations. Learn more and apply here.

  • Public Confidence in Higher Education: A recent Gallup survey shows that public confidence in higher education has increased for the first time in a decade, rising from 36% to 42%, while at the same time, the share of Americans with little or no confidence dropped by 9 percentage points. A partisan divide remains: with just 26% of Republicans expressing confidence as compared to two-thirds of Democrats. According to the survey, those who are confident in higher education point to increased knowledge, job training, and opportunity, while those who are not confident cite political agendas, poor workforce preparation and high costs. [The Hill]

  • Teacher Apprenticeships: While 100 teachers in training won’t solve the enormity of the Colorado teacher shortage, the architects of the apprenticeship program say the early interest in a surefire sign that teacher apprenticeships have the potential to bulk up Colorado’s educator workforce over time and draw more teachers to classrooms who are likely to stay. Related: explore the recent 50-state comparison on teacher recruitment and retention from the Education Commission of the States. [The Colorado Sun]

Future of Work

  • AI + Skills-First Economies: Four-year degree requirements and other invisible barriers have created a ‘paper ceiling’ in hiring that has caused people ‘skilled through alternative routes’ (STARs) to lose access to almost 7.5 million jobs over the past two decades. Papia Debroy and Byron Auguste explain how generative AI can allow employers to instead hire based on a dynamic assessment of workers’ actual skills, ultimately supercharging a STARs-powered economy. Thanks to our friends at The Brookings Institute for this short summary.

  • Colorado Population Growth: According to a new report from the Common Sense Institute, Colorado’s population growth engine is slowing. Net migration into the state has fallen by more than 50% over the past decade, with the sharpest declines seen in Denver and Colorado Springs. As the labor force ages and housing costs rise, this trend could reshape the state’s workforce, economy and long-term growth outlook. Thanks to our friends at the Common Sense Institute for this short summary.

  • Clean Tech Jobs: Goodwill of Colorado recently launched a new Clean Tech Accelerator – a free, fast-track training program that will prepare Coloradans for in-demand jobs in the clean energy sector. Learners will receive paid training, support services, transportation vouchers and career coaching. The program in Colorado is part of the national effort by Goodwill Industries to help communities tap into green energy jobs such as maintaining and repairing electric vehicle charging stations and other clean energy systems. [ColoradoBiz Magazine]

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