DENVER — Governor John Hickenloooper has issued a proclamation declaring September as Workforce Development Month.  With the proclamation, the annual event begins its 14th year.  Workforce Development Month began modestly in 2004 with a handful of events created to focus on workforce development issues in Colorado.  This year it has grown to include a wide array of workshops, open houses, hiring events (both in person and online), employer seminars and more.

During the next four weeks, state and county run employment offices called Workforce Centers will partner with the Department of Labor and Employment to spotlight a variety of services and resources available to the state’s 2.9 million men and women in the state’s labor force and the 196,000 Colorado businesses that hire them.  This year’s focus will be on issues such as the skills gap that is an obstacle to hiring for many employers.

Among the many events taking place in September:

Job Fairs and Hiring Events:  Hiring events will take place across Colorado throughout the month.  A “virtual” job fair is going on now through September 8, offering job opportunities at the Frisco Walmart Super Center.  Job seekers simply need to register at www.connectingcolorado.com to gain entry.

Special Events:  Workforce Centers will offer special programs in virtually every community.  A key event in Denver will be the Workforce Development Initiative on September 18 and 19.  On behalf of Governor John Hickenlooper, the Department of Labor and Employment is partnering with the Western Governors’ Association to host this event which will feature a series of workshops designed to bridge the gap between prospective workers and employers in the West.

Presentations and Symposiums:  At the forefront of the many presentations and symposiums being held this month will be the Larimer County Workforce Center’s annual Workforce Symposium on September 29 at The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.  This year’s theme is "Be The Employer of Choice" and will focus on skills-based recruitment, hiring and training.  For more information and to register, go to larimerworkforce.org/business/workforce-symposium-2017/

The Workforce of the Future:  In late September, Construction Career Days will give high school students in the Denver area opportunities to explore the variety of careers available within the construction industry.  On September 26, the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt will conclude its 37th season with an awards reception to honor the exemplary teens and the great businesses that hired them this summer.

These are just some of the many activities taking place in September.  Workforce Development Month will showcase how the Department of Labor and Employment and Workforce Centers across Colorado can help businesses and workers succeed.  A full calendar of events is available at the Department of Labor and Employment’s website, https://www.colorado.gov/cdle.  Events will also be posted daily to Facebook (facebook.com/ColoradoLabor) and Twitter (twitter.com/ColoradoLabor).

Workforce Development Month is a time to focus on creating a stronger and more competitive Colorado.  In his proclamation, Governor Hickenlooper notes that “In working together, we can solve the toughest problems.  Colorado is finding ways to expand apprenticeships and work-based learning, encourage more diversity in hiring, enhance regional workforce development and ensure we are building the labor force that businesses need to make Colorado the best place to work in America;”