Colorado lawmakers unveiled legislation Tuesday aimed at strengthening the school-to-career pipeline as industries across the state continue to face workforce shortages as they recover from the pandemic’s negative economic effects.

The $95 million package will use some money from a cash fund with American Rescue Plan Act money created last year for workforce-oriented programs.

“We know that the old, conventional way of doing things doesn’t serve us anymore. Which is why we are taking a bold new approach to workforce development in our state to meet Coloradans where they’re at in their lives, and that’s exactly what this legislation does,” Gov. Jared Polis said at a press conference at the Colorado Capitol on Tuesday.

Polis said that during last year’s virtual listening tour to gather ideas on how to best spend the state’s $850 million in ARPA money, it was clear that there is a need for a well-educated workforce with opportunities to re-skill and up-skill. These bills aim to align workforce development to the growing industries that are in need of employees.

In January, the number of people employed in Colorado grew by 17,500 to approximately 3.2 million people, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. That represents about two-thirds of the state’s population age 16 and older.

The bulk of the legislative package is House Bill 22-1350, a $91 million investment in a regional talent development initiative grant program. That bill is sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, and Sens. Jeff Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat, and Paul Lundeen, a Monument Republican.

Read the full article about workforce development by Sara Wilson at The 74.