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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Pikes Peak Workforce Center and Southern Colorado Economic Development District today hosted the Pikes Peak Regional Talent Summit in partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce assisted in the coordination of industry group participation.
The summit focused on addressing workforce challenges in key industries, including aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing and technology. The initiative is part of the Regional Talent Summits Act, established through House Bill 24-1365, which aims to address workforce shortages by bringing together state and regional stakeholders to discuss economic and workforce needs. These stakeholders include members of the business community, government entities and higher education leaders. The Colorado Chamber and its partners in the Education to Employment Alliance played a key role in the bipartisan legislation to bolster the state’s talent pipeline and elevate Colorado’s workforce.
“These summits will improve workforce outcomes statewide, connecting the right people from the business community, educational institutions and government to identify the curriculum and skills needed to fulfill job opportunities across the state,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “This is a key component of the Chamber’s strategic priority to meet the workforce needs of our growing economy and marks a pivotal step in Colorado’s ongoing workforce development efforts.”
“The Pikes Peak Regional Talent Summit was a powerful reminder that a resilient, future-ready workforce is built through collaboration and strong partnerships,” said Pikes Peak Workforce Center Executive Director and CEO Traci Marques. “The summit was filled with high energy and creative thinking, as industry, education, and government leaders convened to share bold ideas, identify real-world solutions, and build talent pipelines that meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Attendees at the Pikes Peak summit focused on improving career pathways in the aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. A key theme across all three industries was the need for stronger partnerships between employers and educators to ensure that training programs align with evolving workforce needs. Participants emphasized the importance of expanding access to hands-on learning opportunities and building clearer connections between education and high-demand careers.
The summit is one of seven scheduled across Colorado through June 2025. These industry-led discussions will generate tactical workforce plans that develop career pathways in specified fields facing regional workforce challenges. Insights gathered from these discussions will be included in the 2025 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report, shaping future workforce development strategies across the state.
Learn more about the Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits here: https://oedit.colorado.gov/programs-and-funding/conferences/workshops/opportunity-now-regional-talent-summits
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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center connects vital businesses with work-ready job seekers and employer-driven services. We help residents of El Paso & Teller Counties with career transition, whether they are unemployed, underemployed, or employed. Our clients range from entry-level to professional, including youth, adults, people returning to the workforce, and those with barriers to employment.