Workforce council approves $10,000 for NextGen academy and extends Onboard contract

The Wyoming Workforce Development Council voted to fund two spending items during its Q1 2026 quarterly meeting.

Members approved up to $10,000 to host the 2026 NextGen Sector Partnership Academy in Cheyenne, a working-session event that brings together local sector partnerships, facilitators and employers. Jennifer (DWS staff) told the council the request primarily covers hotel rooms to reduce travel costs for out-of-town participants and that the request had been recommended by the sector partnerships and the strategic performance and finance committee.

Council members who have attended previous academies described the sessions as highly productive. Vice Chair Tony Cross said the academy's approach "has been a really successful strategy and has helped us grow engagement," and several members urged colleagues to attend at least part of the event.

In a separate vote the council approved a 6% increase—$23,007.20—to the existing Onboard platform contract for the remainder of the contract year. Jennifer and Chair Eric Trowbridge explained the choice stemmed from transparency, ADA and mobile-access requirements in the prior RFP; some council members asked about lower-cost alternatives such as Google Suite, but staff said the security and publication features required by state and federal law made options limited.

Both measures passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The council's action preserves funding for the NextGen academy logistics and keeps the Onboard platform in place while staff plan a new RFP process next year.