The Northern Colorado
Workforce Initiative
We are dedicated to finding measured solutions to workforce related issues
by facilitating and networking workers, community organizations, education,
business and government. Our focus is helping the individual find pride in their
abilities and transitioning them into a well-balanced, talented workforce.
Along with our educational partners, we are asking our primary employers
what skills they need in the region’s employer base, then creating a ‘demand-
driven’ skill training initiative. This initiative will assist in organizing curriculum,
identifying available resources, qualifying more jobs at all wage ranges and
forging a clear outline for a strong workforce in the future.
An example of ‘demand-driven’ skill training is the formation of a two-year
degree program through our community college system specifically focusing
on “green” technician workers. A consortium of a dozen primary employers
will leverage resources in partnership with the educational system to train
and then ultimately hire these graduate employees. This program also has
the potential to expand to the university level. Our partners include: K-12 districts,
community colleges, universities, Chambers of Commerce, private industries
and non-profits.
Benefits:
- The employee gains marketable skills and training by working part-time
for the primary employer while receiving their tuition and books at a free
or reduced rate. Most importantly, they will have a job waiting for them
at the end of their training.
- The employer hires a workforce with needed skills and training
- The educational institutions provide diverse targeted programming
and collaboration that is more demand-driven in a global economy.
- Employers hire local people who, for some, have been re-skilled in a
hirer paying career.
- New opportunities for training in educational settings as well as on the job.
- Positive recruitment incentive for new businesses looking to locate in
Northern Colorado. As our diverse northern Colorado economy changes
due to the global economy, we have prepared our workforce to become
more relevant.
- Citizens are given the opportunity to be self-sufficient and successful
community contributors.
- Employers hire people whose skills match their needs. As our workforce initiative creates a mechanism for primary employers to express their
workforce needs, our educational system is listening and responding.
The Workforce Initiative’s current projects:
- Identify workforce needs and trends
- Leverage available resources (public and private funding)
- Assist in creating demand-driven curriculum for classes
- Provide training, mentoring, classes or internships for K-12 and higher
education students
- Facilitate more jobs at all wage ranges creating diversity in the workforce
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Workforce
Initiative Update:
The Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative is dedicated to finding measured solutions to workforce related issues by facilitating and networking workers, community organizations, education, business and government.
Phase I -
Complete:
In-depth survey and interviews with 16 clean energy companies, with an emphasis on what skills are needed in the regional employer base that will translate into skill training programs through our educational partners.
Phase II -
In Progress:
Inviting approximately 700 companies in the Northern Colorado region to participate in a concise, refined survey that continues to define needed skills for broader training programs.
Launch the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative website (scheduled for July 2008) that will be the central resource for business, education, and employee support programs.
Phase III -
September 2008:
EVENT -
The Northern Colorado
Worforce Initiative Progress Report luncheon
and worksession.
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