New Healthcare Workforce Pipeline Program Launches to Strengthen Southwest Colorado’s Healthcare Industry
Durango, Co. – Axis Health System (Axis) is launching the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline Program (HWPP), a $1.3 million project in Southwest Colorado to bridge critical workforce gaps in the healthcare sector while eliminating barriers to economic mobility. Axis is a Phase 2 Grant Recipient of the Opportunity Now Colorado Grant Program – an $85 million grant program initiative of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), designed to spur innovation in education, employment, and workforce development by creating new partnerships and solutions.
The HWPP Program is a collaborative effort between Axis Health System, Project RUN, the La Plata Economic Development Alliance (the Alliance), the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative (SWCEC), and Fort Lewis College.
Project RUN, a collaboration between the Alliance and Fort Lewis College, builds custom programs to meet the needs of industry partners and has worked with SWCEC under its own Opportunity Now grant. In collaboration with Axis, these organizations will build upon their successes to develop healthcare occupation pathways.
Providing workforce development to the healthcare sector through a partnership with Axis and our proven program, Project RUN, is an example of how we can build long-term economic sustainability through local collaboration. Through Project RUN, we have worked with employers to identify skill gaps in their workforce and create custom training to upskill the regional workforce. Workforce development is one of the pillars of the foundation of our commitment to the community’s economic vitality, and this partnership will provide access to quality education, training, and job placement,” said Sarah Tober, Executive Director, La Plata Economic Development Alliance.
Designed as a comprehensive work-based learning and job placement initiative, this new program aims to reduce barriers to education and employment and create long-term wage growth and career advancement. HWPP will provide resources such as scholarships for qualifying programs, paid apprenticeships, and wraparound support to individuals seeking to enter or advance in healthcare careers.
“This partnership represents a step forward in expanding our region’s career-connected learning and workforce development. By bringing together education, industry, and community resources, we are creating meaningful pathways that support students and job seekers in accessing high-quality training and employment opportunities. Together we are committed to building a stronger, more resilient workforce for Southwest Colorado,” said Clara Raley, Executive Director of SWCEC.
Additionally, the program will explore the development of a dental occupation education pathway at Fort Lewis College to support Southwest Colorado’s growing demand for trained dental professionals.
“As a founding partner of Project RUN with the Economic Development Alliance, Fort Lewis College is thrilled to expand our reach into the healthcare sector with Axis. This is a natural fit for our three organizations, and together, through a shared commitment to workforce development, we will build stronger healthcare pipelines and drive economic impact across the region,” said Alana Romans, Chief Strategy Officer at Fort Lewis College.
Axis will serve as a work-based learning site and work with other healthcare employers through quarterly convenings to explore workforce recruitment and retention challenges. For more information about the Healthcare Workforce Pipeline Program or partnership opportunities, please contact Nichole Glaser, Axis’ Manager of PR and Development; nglaser@axishealthsystem.org or 970-903-7622.
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About Axis Health System: Axis Health System is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and trusted name in providing quality healthcare across Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, San Miguel, and Ouray counties in Colorado. As a compassionate, inclusive, and professional health service provider, Axis provides access to a wide array of primary care, mental health, substance use, oral health, pharmacy, and crisis services.
About the Alliance: The La Plata Economic Development Alliance is a 501(c)6 organization whose mission is to create a vibrant and resilient economy from the recruitment, retainment, and growth of business, by fostering public and private partnerships and preserving our quality of life. The three primary strategies of the Alliance are workforce housing, workforce development, and enabling business capacity and growth. For more information visit yeslpc.com or projectrunco.work
About SWCEC: The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative is a nonprofit bridging education and industry, creating pathways to meaningful careers and a stronger workforce in rural Colorado.
About Fort Lewis College: Fort Lewis College is the Southwest’s leading undergraduate research institution, offering a low student-to-faculty ratio and affordable, one-on-one instruction. The hands-on experience students gain here is designed to meet industry demand and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. FLC is also one of the country’s most diverse campuses, with over half of its students identifying as people of color. With more than 55 majors, students graduate as industry professionals, community leaders, and cutting-edge academics.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Haley Leonard Saunders, Public Information Officer,
970.335.2207 or hleonard@axishealthsystem.org