2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 24 - GOVERNMENT - STATE (§§ 24-1-101 — 24-116-102) › OTHER AGENCIES (§§ 24-40-101 — 24-49.9-102) › Article 46.3 - Work Force Development (§§ 24-46.3-101 — 24-46.3-707) › Part 6 - INVESTMENTS IN RESKILLING, UPSKILLING, AND NEXT-SKILLING WORKERS (§§ 24-46.3-601 — 24-46.3-606) › Section 24-46.3-603 - Investments in reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling workers program - creation

(1)
The investments in reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling workers program is hereby created as an initiative of the state council as a means to train unemployed and underemployed Coloradans during times of substantial unemployment. In any state fiscal year in which money is appropriated for the program pursuant to section
24-46.3-604
, the state council shall use the money allocated to the program to support individuals in need of reskilling, upskilling, or next-skilling, including providing assistance to allow individuals to access and participate in short-term training to obtain an industry-recognized credential. The state council may use the money for the following reskilling, upskilling, or next-skilling purposes:
(a)
Career counseling;
(b)
Career and academic exploration and planning;
(c)
Tuition;
(d)
Employer-provided training;
(e)
Needs-based services;
(f)
Transportation;
(g)
Equipment;
(h)
Retention services;
(i)
Program implementation and administration, including reporting activities; and
(j)
Other purposes determined by the state council that are related to training unemployed and underemployed Coloradans during times of substantial unemployment.
(2)
An individual may receive support through the program as described in subsection (1) of this section for up to thirteen consecutive months while pursuing an industry-recognized credential. The state council, in collaboration with the department, shall develop the eligibility criteria for individuals to receive support through the program.
(3)
(a)
The state council, in collaboration with the department, shall allocate the funding available for the program as follows:
(I)
Twenty million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars to work force development areas for the program;
(II)
Three million dollars for the grant program established pursuant to subsection (4) of this section; and
(III)
One million two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the department for outreach and recruitment, providing access to digital platforms for career navigation, issuing licenses for virtual training courses, and implementing, administering, and reporting on the program.
(b)
If, on June 30, 2022, any portion of the money allocated to the department pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(III) of this section is unencumbered and unexpended, the state council shall allocate the remaining money in accordance with subsections (3)(a)(I) and (3)(a)(II) of this section.
(4)
(a)
The state council shall establish a grant program to award funding to other partners, including local governments, institutions of higher education, and community-based nonprofit organizations, for use in providing the supports specified in subsection (1) of this section. The recipients of funding are responsible for working with individuals who qualify for the program and administering available funds to or on behalf of qualified individuals.
(b)
The state council shall distribute the funding through a competitive application process that considers the relative need in an area and the ability of the applicant to support individuals, as well as other criteria that the state council and the department determine are relevant based on the economic conditions at the time applications are being considered.
Added by 2021 Ch. 308, § 3, eff. 6/23/2021.