Colorado Center on Law and Policy
03/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/27/2026 14:11
Skills2Compete CO testifies on unifying higher ed and workforce development
Skills2Compete CO testifies on unifying higher ed and workforce development
by Laura Ware| Mar 27, 2026
Education, Equity work, Legislative Updates, Programs, Research and Policy Analysis, Testimony, Workers, Workforce
On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Laura Ware, an advocate at CCLP and coordinator for Skills2Compete Coalition in Colorado, testified in support of House Bill 26-1317, Unified Postsecondary Talent Development System. The bill would create a postsecondary talent development committee to merge the Department of Higher Education with workforce development programs.
Madame Chair, and members of this Committee. I am Laura Ware, Coordinator for the Colorado Skills2Compete (S2C) Coalition. S2C is the Colorado affiliate of the National Skills Coalition based in Washington D.C. Our coalition is comprised of members from employment and training organizations, adult learning programs, libraries, public agencies, and advocacy groups Our primary goal is to advocate for innovative training and employment strategies and the removal of systemic barriers for low-income individuals of all ages.
It is the belief of S2C and its members that Supportive Services, that focus specifically on assisting a student or job seeker pursue and complete a career goal, are an integral part of the workforce development infrastructure.
The state's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plan includes the need for supportive services. However, current lack of adequate funding makes it difficult for workforce centers to implement a full vision of providing support services.
Everyone needs supportive services to achieve career success. These may come from family, friends, public agencies, or community organizations. For low-income Coloradans pursuing specific careers, these supports are often needed from public resources. Having the resources available to acquire a computer, cover daily transportation expenses, and the like, are directly related to the workforce development process and are not "social services" in the traditional context.
The importance of supportive services as part of the educational and workforce development process for learners of all ages became obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to digital devices and connectivity were crucial supportive services.
We are very appreciative of the different amendments that have been made to the current bill language, and support the need for a unified workforce development system. Additionally, we would like to recommend that the Transition Team articulate how career-oriented supportive services such as those mentioned above will be provided to students and job seekers.
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