Eagle County hones in on strategic plan goal to build workforce
Eagle County government is working hard on a goal in its new three-year Strategic Plan to “Build Tomorrow’s Workforce Today”.
The goal focuses on expanding access to high-quality career pathways and strengthening partnerships with local employers, educators and workforce organizations.
During a March 24 work session, the Eagle County Board of Commissioners met with county resiliency manager and “goal owner” Erin McCuskey to discuss the its implementation.
Workforce shortages have emerged as the most significant challenge facing Eagle County’s business community and essential services, impacting industries ranging from construction and healthcare to childcare and public safety, Eagle County explained in a recent press release.
“These challenges are deeply interconnected with broader community needs such as housing, transportation, and access to care — requiring a coordinated, system-wide approach,” the release states.
To address the issue, Eagle County has funded the Workforce Pipelines and Ecosystem Mapping Study, work that will continue through 2026.
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The study provides data-driven understanding of in-demand jobs, career pathways, wage potential and training opportunities, supported by real-time labor market data tools that will help guide ongoing decision-making.
“In every industry, the ability to recruit and retain talent is critical for long-term community and economic resilience,” Eagle County Commissioner Matt Scherr said in the release. “By investing in workforce pathways that lead to living-wage jobs, we’re supporting both local businesses and working residents who want a future here.”
Beginning in 2026, Eagle County will move from study to implementation, focusing on employer-led solutions that align training programs with real-world workforce needs.
Rather than creating new programs in isolation, the county is prioritizing collaboration, helping connect employers, educators and community partners to strengthen existing resources and close gaps.
“Employers are at the center of this work. They define what skills and roles are needed, and we identify the training pathways backward from there,” Economic Resiliency Manager Erin McCuskey said. “We’re not starting from scratch; we’re bringing partners together to solve challenges more effectively.”
Early efforts are already demonstrating success. A pilot collaboration within the construction industry identified a gap in HVAC training and quickly connected employers with an existing Colorado Mountain College program.
Increased awareness and coordination more than doubled enrollment and expanded training capacity, highlighting the impact of aligning partners around shared goals. There are also efforts within the collaborative to increase introduction to the HVAC trade amongst school-aged youth.
This work is grounded in a nationally recognized Talent Pipeline Management framework, which focuses on building employer-driven talent pipelines, standardizing skills and credentials, and creating clear, accessible career pathways for workers. The county’s role is to act as a neutral convener by bringing partners together, reducing duplication, and helping accelerate progress across the workforce ecosystem, according to its press release.
“We don’t need a perfectly polished plan to get started,” McCuskey added. “We can bring the right people to the table, align around shared priorities, and build this system together as we go.”
A key focus of the initiative is workforce retention, supporting local residents in accessing career advancement opportunities, helping young people explore career pathways early and creating stronger connections that encourage workers to stay in or return to Eagle County.
Eagle County aims to engage 50 employers by 2028 in industry coalitions and workforce development initiatives, helping build stronger training pipelines and supporting long-term business retention. The work also positions the county and its partners to compete for future state and federal workforce funding by establishing strong partnerships and ready-to-implement projects.
This work directly supports the Strategic Plan priority to Promote Thriving Communities. The county’s three-year strategic plan was first rolled out earlier this year. Learn more on the Eagle County website.
