When a coalition of community organizations in Northern Colorado identified growing need for workforce development reform in their region, they came together to form NoCo Works with the goal of establishing “an effective, efficient, and aligned talent and workforce ecosystem”. As they conducted their research, it was identified that the greatest need was for a single place to connect business owners and talent, while providing access to resources and expertise. It was easy to see how SourceLink techniques and technology could easily be applied as a solution for NoCo Works.
“Bringing the NoCo Works website to life required collective effort,” said Debi Triplett, Director of Human Resources and Administration at CARE Communities. “Together, we aligned on our regional priorities and worked closely with SourceLink to build a platform that connects people, employers, and resources in meaningful ways.”
While the priority was to create a “one-stop shop” for workforce development resources across Northern Colorado, it was equally important to bring together the many workforce resources already available across Larimer and Weld counties in Colorado.
The goal was to centralize support resources for workforce development into one place to make it easier for employers, job seekers, educators, and service providers to find and connect with the right resources quickly and efficiently. Breaking down silos and bringing resources together are two areas of SourceLink specialty, and through this guidance, NoCo Works is helping Northern Colorado stay responsive to the changing needs of its workforce and economy while also encouraging stronger collaboration and greater alignment across sectors.
In January 2025, SourceLink began collaborating with the regional coalition of over 30 organizations spanning Weld and Larimer counties. United by a shared commitment to co-develop and co-own a robust talent and workforce ecosystem, NoCo Works brought together partners from higher education/K-12, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, local governments, and workforce boards to collaborate on the development of the platform.
“This was a true partnership,” Triplett commented. “SourceLink brought the technical know-how and responsiveness we needed to build a platform that aligns with our community’s priorities and can continue to grow over time.”
The project’s primary goal was to identify and map regional organizations offering workforce development services and integrate their profiles into The Resource Navigator® interactive database and a newly launched custom website, creating a “no wrong door” approach for community members to access workforce resources.
SourceLink provided a tailored implementation plan and helped define both short and long-term success metrics with KPIs. Through a series of workshops, SourceLink engaged workforce partners to shape the network, gather input on branding, and set to ensure key organizations were represented properly in the ecosystem. Using existing lists and identifying additional providers, SourceLink created organizational profiles within The Resource Navigator and trained NoCo Works staff on intuitive tools for ongoing updates and management.
SourceLink also contributed a robust SourceLink client relationship management system to track and report on individual workforce user outcomes and monitor engagement across the platform, enhancing data-driven decision making and service delivery.
Each participating organization now has 24/7 access to update its information, ensuring accuracy and sustainability. As a SourceLink affiliate, NoCo Works gains access to exclusive summits, town halls, and peer learning opportunities within an international network of professionals.
A major milestone of the partnership was the launch of NoCoWorks.com, a comprehensive online hub for Northern Colorado workforce resources.
The site features:
- A searchable database of workforce programs and services.
- Career tools and training programs.
- A user-friendly interface designed to serve employers, job seekers, educators, and community members.
This digital platform reflects NoCo Works’ mission to streamline access to workforce resources, minimize duplication of efforts, and elevate best practices across Northern Colorado.
“This platform sets the stage for new opportunities,” said Triplett. “The NoCo Works website will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and long-term workforce success across Northern Colorado.”
It is a cornerstone of their vision to foster an inclusive and economically healthy community.
“With SourceLink’s partnership, the NoCo Works website was designed for Northern Colorado — built with us, for us.” Please reach out to Krista Markley if you are interested in learning how you might better align your own workforce ecosystem.
