Colorado Talent Academy
Healthcare Employer Collaborative Southern, South Central, and Southwest Regions REGIONAL SNAPSHOT Priority industries from the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits: »
Advanced Manufacturing
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Agriculture
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Construction
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Healthcare
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Technology
Sector Partnerships: »
San Luis Valley Healthcare
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Southwest Broadband
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South Central Tech Sector Partnership
THE CHALLENGE Learners lack clear, affordable healthcare career pathways, and employers struggle to recruit and retain talent, often due to cost-of-living challenges. Persistent shortages in roles such as nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health providers, and allied health workers strain both employers and communities.
LABOR MARKET INSIGHTS
7% GROWTH INDUSTRY FOCUS Healthcare This collaborative is building a stronger healthcare workforce, addressing shortages from entry-level technicians to advanced practitioners. »
Healthcare is both a top employer and a critical community service.
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A strong local partnership (i.e., the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline) and aligned funding already exist among health systems, higher education, and workforce boards, creating momentum to act.
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Many roles are stackable: entry-level certifications can lead to higher-wage careers if pathways are clear and affordable.
projected in Healthcare by 2029
13% GROWTH in Nurse Practitioner job openings (2023–2025)
High-demand roles include registered nurses, medical assistants, certified nurse aides, behavioral health specialists, and allied health technicians.
★ NORTH STAR
Build a sustainable healthcare pipeline in Southwest Colorado where training leads to real job opportunities so people can stay, learn, earn, and thrive, strengthening both the economy and community health.
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH Utilizing Opportunity Now grant funding to Axis Healthcare Systems in Durango, the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline (HWP) group (consisting of industry, education, and workforce partners) will leverage the training and strategies of Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) to support the joint work of the joint work of increasing awareness of healthcare career options, identifying critical needed roles in the region, expanding hands-on learning and training opportunities, and supporting individuals in successfully transitioning into in-demand healthcare roles that meet community needs. APR 2025
Organize Employer Collaboratives Initial convening focused on healthcare careers.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES 1
Create a regional critical occupations report identifying the top 2–3 hard-tofill roles annually.
2
Standardize minimum qualifications across 70% of participating employers to support consistent training alignment.
3
JUL 2025
Reach 200 students annually through healthcare career awareness events, job shadows, or presentations.
Engage in Demand Planning Collect job descriptions and data needs from employers.
4
Place 150 job seekers in roles or upskilling opportunities by the end of 2026.
OCT 2025
5
Maintain at least 90% enrollment capacity across all healthcare training programs.
6
Reduce local healthcare vacancy rates by 25% in a two-year period.
Communicate Competency & Credential Requirements Validate employer needs with survey data. JAN 2026
Analyze Talent Flows Identify gaps in dual credit, certifications, and paid work-based learning opportunities. APR 2026
LEARN MORE coloradosucceeds.org/talentacademy
Build Talent Supply Chains Connect job demand with talent supply. JUL 2026
Continuous Improvement Consider sustainability of talent supply chain & HWP convenings.
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