January 13, 2026 Minutes

Workforce Development Board Minutes

Workforce Center - 315 N. 11th Ave, Bldg. B, Greeley, CO 80631
Meeting Location: First Floor Conference Room
Meeting: January 13 , 2026 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

  1. Call to Order

    • Introductions & New Members: Dan Ingalls, Melissa Jensen, and Michael Maynes
    • Elections for Chair & Chair -Elect – Our Chair, Lisa Vaughn, was voted in back in 2024 and our Chair Elect, Michael Wailes, was voted in December 2025.

  2. Changes to the Agenda

    • none

  3. Approval of Minutes

    • Motion to approve by Lisa Taylor, seconded by Matt Hortt, all voted to approve.

  4. Workforce Wins

    • Success Story Shared

  5. Unfinished Business

    • PY24 Monitoring Report
      1. Monitoring findings were reviewed with an emphasis on compliance improvements and documentation practices. 
      2. Staff have implemented corrective actions to align with updated state guidance and PGL requirements. 
      3. Continued focus on strengthening internal controls, particularly around supportive services and documentation. 
      4. No major systemic concerns; overall performance remains strong with minor areas for improvement.
    • Talent Pipeline Report
      1. Report highlighted ongoing workforce shortages in key industries. 
      2. Emphasis on strengthening sector partnerships and aligning training programs with employer needs. 
      3. Continued use of data to guide decision-making and workforce investments. 
      4. Recognition of the importance of career pathway development and work-based learning expansion.

  6. Announcements, Updates, and Celebrations

    • Awareness Committee
      1. Continued efforts to expand outreach and increase awareness of workforce services. 
      2. Growth in newsletter distribution and community engagement. 
      3. Focus on improving messaging around available programs and funding opportunities.
    • Youth Committee
      1. Ongoing alignment with statewide youth initiatives and local partnerships. 
      2. Focus on expanding youth apprenticeship and career exposure opportunities. 
      3. Continued collaboration with education partners to strengthen pipelines.
    • Veteran Committee
      1. Committee continues to grow and strengthen engagement with community partners. 
      2. 2026 Stand Down Event Planning
        • Early planning underway for the 2026 Stand Down event. 
        • Focus on expanding partnerships and resource availability for veterans. 
        • Discussion around logistics, timing, and potential collaboration opportunities.

  7. Board Focus

    • Regional Action Committees (RAC) plans
      1. Overview of regional tactical plan priorities and sector strategies. 
      2. Focus industries: advanced manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. 
      3. Emphasis on addressing skills gaps, improving career awareness, and strengthening partnerships. 
      4. Alignment with Opportunity Now initiatives and regional workforce goals.
    • Governor’s Executive Order 2025-006 – Reimagining Colorado’s Postsecondary Talent Development System.
      1. Overview of the Governor’s vision to unify workforce and education systems. 
      2. Recognition of current fragmentation across agencies and programs. 
      3. Proposal to create a more integrated system with a “one front door” approach. 
      4. Emphasis on improving career navigation, data sharing, and employer engagement. 
      5. Potential impact on local workforce centers as central hubs for service delivery.
    • Update to our Local and Regional Plans
      1. The Board was informed that updates to the Local and Regional Plans are pending additional guidance from the State. 
      2. A forthcoming Program Guidance Letter (PGL) is expected to outline required updates in response to recent federal guidance. 
      3. Updates will also incorporate Regional Action Committee (RAC) plans into the Local and Regional planning framework. 
      4. Staff will proceed with plan modifications once state guidance is received and will keep the Board informed of progress.
    • LERS and FWD Wallet
      1. The Board was reminded that Weld County was selected as a winner of the state’s Skills First LER challenge. 
      2. At this time, the State has not finalized the product for testing and implementation. 
      3. Staff remain in communication with the State and are monitoring progress. 
      4. Updates will be provided to the Board as the project advances and once implementation can move forward in alignment with the approved plan.
    • Joint board meeting: March 11, 2026 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
    • Chamber Dinner: February 19, 2026 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

  8. Miscellaneous

    • Mobile Workforce Unit – Matt Hortt gave a brief update as to the status of HPLDs progress.

  9. Adjournment

Strategic Goals

  • Continue seeking clarity and improving connections for programs and services between Employment Services and the businesses and individuals in the Weld County Community.
  • Increase awareness and clarify the impact of Weld County's workforce network by attracting organizations and businesses to utilize the available funding provided to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) targeted populations.
  • Increase Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) member engagement by involving board members in planning, leadership pipeline development, and committee involvement.
  • Working with intention by participating and supporting ESWC, sector partnerships, and their workgroups to ensure our regional workforce has equitable access to opportunities for quality, life-long education, and individual advancement to secure the future of work in Northern Colorado.  

Board Recruitment

The following positions are vacant: 

One Business Representative

  • Accommodation and Food Service 
  • Transportation and Warehousing

One Workforce Representative

  • Union/Labor Organization Member

If you know someone interested in Workforce Initiatives and can fill one of these roles, please direct that person to Andrew Chadwick.

Upcoming Events

  • WDB Meeting: 3/10/2026; 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Virtual)
  • Regional Larimer/Weld WDB Meeting: 3/11/2026; 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 
  • Awareness Committee Meeting: 2/10/2026; 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual)
  • Youth Committee Meeting: 2/24/2026; 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Virtual)
  • Veteran Committee Meeting: 1/20/2026; 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Virtual)

Assurance

  • Veterans and eligible spouses are entitled to priority access to Department of Labor-funded programs. 
  • Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Dial 711 for Relay Services. 
  • The Weld County Workforce Center is an equal opportunity program and employer. 
Back to top