SkillBuild Colorado is a public/private funding collaborative that leverages resources from member organizations to improve the system for meeting the workforce development needs of employers and workers in target industries. The focus is on enhancing the quality of jobs and the capacity of workers by making coordinated investments at the individual, organizational and system level. Strategic investments lead to better jobs, skilled workers, and a business focused workforce development system.

Paula Gomez Farrell Named Director of SkillBuild Colorado

For Immediate Release   

Contact: Elsa Holguín, 303.398.7414
April 13, 2010
eholguin@rcfdenver.org

Denver, CO – Paula Gomez Farrell, Ph.D. has been named director of SkillBuild Colorado. In this position, she will work  to expand SkillBuild’s partnerships with philanthropic, business, economic, and workforce-development organizations across Colorado that are working to ensure the state has skilled workers in  the construction/trades, health care and energy industries.

Dr. Gomez Farrell has more than 25 years of experience working to improve economic prosperity and employment opportunities for underrepresented populations and competiveness of organizations. Before joining SkillBuild Colorado, she served as Director of the Denver Workforce Investment Board and the Division of Workforce Development for the City of Denver. In the early 1990s, she was Director of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, where she helped to broaden the use of community-based services and the use of Medicaid waivers for children and adults with disabilities.

Gomez Farrell has a master’s degree in Urban Studies with a major in Leadership and Organizational Development, and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies and Public Affairs, both from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs.

About SkillBuild Colorado

SkillBuild is a nationally and locally supported funding collaborative that uses its resources to help low skilled workers prepare for high skill careers and businesses have access to a talented workforce.  SkillBuild is focused on ensuring that as the economy recovers people are prepared to get back to work and businesses are able to compete.   Current membership of SkillBuild Colorado includes: Anschutz Family Foundation, City of Denver Division of Workforce Development, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado State Bank, Colorado Workforce Development Council, Construction and Design Alliance, Denver Health, Jefferson County Workforce Center, JP Morgan Chase, Mile High United Way, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology, MiCasa Resource Center, Community College of Denver, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Rose Community Foundation, and Rose Women’s Organization.

Some of SkillBuild Colorado’s activities include:

  • Informing unemployed and under-employed individuals and incumbent workers about education and training  necessary for career advancement;
  • Reaching out to industry specific businesses to understand their critical occupational needs and working with them to develop strategies for meeting the need.
  • Increasing options for combined training and employment that results in rapid re-employment.
  • Convening public, private and nonprofit organizations to develop strategies for region wide talent development.

SkillBuild Colorado also works with employers to address their specific challenges related to hiring, training, retaining, and advancing lower-skilled adults.

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