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DENVER — September is Workforce Development Month, and this year Colorado’s Workforce System is highlighting its people, programs and services that are helping our state’s workforce thrive. Each week during Workforce Development Month, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will focus on topics or key industries that will shape our economy today and tomorrow. Week one will showcase the more than 300 people serving Colorado jobseekers and employers at Colorado Workforce Centers. With 54 locations across the state, Colorado Workforce Centers help workers meet their employment goals through job search assistance, training and upskilling/reskilling opportunities. For employers, business services representatives can assist with a wide array of offerings including tax credit information, customized training and apprenticeship programs, recruitment help and more.

Weeks two and three will focus on a variety of key industries in Colorado’s workforce including: healthcare, behavioral health, education, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and transportation. The final week of Workforce Development Month will focus on how to raise the number of skilled workers to meet the demand in the previously noted industries as well as many others by highlighting work-based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, re-entry programs and more.

“Our statewide workforce system plays an important role in strengthening Colorado’s economy year round, and we look forward to highlighting and reminding workers and employers across the state that they have these free resources available to them,” says Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment, “Our most recent data shows our current labor force participation rate is at 69.5%, the highest it has been since March 2020. That’s 3.25 million Coloradans participating in the labor force who we can help reach their educational, career and hiring goals through our supportive services.”  

Throughout the month, CDLE will be showcasing available job openings, industry spotlights and success stories across its social media channels. A series of statewide events, including job fairs, hiring events, workshops and training opportunities is published on the front page of the Department of Labor and Employment’s website cdle.colorado.gov. Among the events happening in September are:

  • Friday, September 2 at 9 a.m.
    HOPE: Helping Offenders Pursue Employment
    Virtual Event: Sign up through your Connecting Colorado account or by calling 970-400-6791.
    Attendees will learn tactics and gain support in searching for a job with a criminal record. 
  • Tuesday, September 6 at 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    Veterans (& Spouses) Networking Event
    Where:
    6954 S Lima St.
    Centennial, CO 80112
    Attendees will get to meet employers with open positions and network with fellow veterans and spouses. Participating employers include: U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Valiant Staffing, Wells Fargo, Spectrum, Amazon, Highlands Ranch Metro District, National Jewish Health, Allied Universal, BAE Systems, Colorado Department of Human Services, FedEx Ground
  • Wednesday, September 7 at  1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
    Careers in Healthcare Information Session
    Virtual Event: register here.
    Healthcare workers are in high demand! Job seekers interested in a career in healthcare, will learn about Brookdale’s Healthcare Programs. During this information session Brookdale will discuss its upcoming classes and opportunities to obtain certification in a variety of healthcare fields.
     
  • Thursday, September 8 at 1 – 3 p.m.
    KSAs: Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes Presentation
    Where:
    Greeley Workforce Center
    315 North 11th Avenue
    Building B
    Greeley, CO 80631 
    Attendees will learn how to explain their knowledge, skills and attitudes–all you offer to potential employers while you are hunting for a job. Sign up through your Connecting Colorado account or by calling 970-400-6791.