In Eagle County, workforce challenges are not just an inconvenience; they are an economic predicament. Employers across industries struggle with recruitment, retention, and workforce development, creating a ripple effect that threatens the sustainability of our community.

Our local economy is deeply tied to tourism, with accommodations and food services accounting for 26% of jobs, followed by arts and recreation at 12% and retail trade at 10%. Other critical industries—healthcare, construction, and education—play significant roles as well. Despite the opportunities these sectors present, many residents struggle to access career pathways due to high living costs, housing shortages, and a lack of training resources. Additionally, businesses often lack the infrastructure to provide sufficient professional development, mentorship, and human resources support. These factors create a workforce imbalance that demands a proactive and coordinated response.

Workforce ecosystem mapping provides a clear understanding of how different industries, training programs, and employment opportunities intersect. Through collaboration with the Eagle County Resiliency Department, the Vail Valley Partnership has initiated this mapping process, engaging businesses, hosting roundtables, and conducting interviews to pinpoint critical career pathways. Our research highlights five key sectors that require immediate attention: construction and skilled trades, education, healthcare, hospitality, and public administration.

The objective of this initiative is to create a centralized knowledge center for career development, ensuring that workers and employers have access to the resources they need. This isn’t just about gathering data—it’s about creating actionable solutions that support long-term economic stability.

Early findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions. Small businesses face barriers such as limited HR capacity and difficulties accessing workforce grants. Additionally, there is a critical need for Spanish-language training, particularly in customer service and professional development. Many young people lack exposure to career pathways that align with local job market demands, and employees frequently report feeling disconnected from the broader community, impacting retention.

Opportunities for growth are equally clear. Expanding training and mentorship programs, such as LEAD Eagle and Spanish-language workforce development initiatives, can bridge skills gaps. Strengthening partnerships with Eagle County Schools and local employers to create apprenticeship programs will provide clear career pipelines for students. Marketing campaigns aimed at shifting perceptions of trades, healthcare, and hospitality as desirable, long-term career options can attract new talent. A centralized resource hub, such as EagleCountyCareers.com, would serve as a one-stop shop for job seekers, businesses, and workforce development programs.

Workforce ecosystem mapping is not a one-time project but an ongoing process that will evolve as economic and demographic trends shift. Our efforts includes workforce projections, mapping training pipelines, and visually representing our workforce ecosystem in a way to inform actionable steps that businesses, educators, and policymakers can take to create a stronger, more resilient workforce.

Imagine an Eagle County where workers can seamlessly access training for stable, well-paying careers, and businesses have the resources to support and develop their employees. A community where students see local industries as viable career paths and retirees contribute as mentors and part-time workers. This vision is within reach—but only if we work together to implement the solutions workforce ecosystem mapping provides.

The success of our workforce is directly tied to the economic health of our region. If we want to maintain our community and ensure long-term prosperity, we must invest in building a sustainable workforce ecosystem. At Vail Valley Partnership, we are committed to leading this charge, but we cannot do it alone. We invite businesses, educators, nonprofits, and government leaders to join us in this critical effort—because when our workforce thrives, our entire community thrives.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com