PRESS RELEASE

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment • 633 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1200 • Denver, CO 80202 •

(303) 318-8004 • Fax: (303) 318-8070

Boulder County Housing Authority And Two Teen Workers Are Honored
In Appreciation Ceremony

(DENVER) – With school back in session and the weather getting cooler, summer has come to its inevitable end. And with the end of the season comes the conclusion of the 2007 Governor’s Summer Job Hunt. Every year since its inception in 1981, the program has promoted successful entry into the workforce through education and workplace experience that leads to self-sufficiency.

“This year, Workforce Centers across Colorado provided almost 39,000 young people with assistance in résumé writing, interviewing skills, and job-search strategies,” says Department of Labor and Employment Executive Director Donald J. Mares. “They connected thousands with summer jobs thanks to community-minded businesses. Every employer who hired a young person this summer was working in collaboration with our schools to build and strengthen our future workforce.”

This year, Workforce Centers presented awards to employers who went “above and beyond” in helping teens expand their basic workplace skills. Workforce Boulder County recognized the Boulder County Housing Authority for its efforts in providing area youth with opportunities to gain work experience in a field with great career potential. For over a year, Workforce Boulder County has enjoyed a collaboration with Boulder County Housing Authority and together, they have created a training program that is providing valuable skills and experience for young people. This summer, the housing authority renovated a 4-unit apartment building for low income families. The building was uninhabitable at the time of renovation and the improvements that were made brought it back up to code while giving young adults the opportunity to improve the community, economy, and environment.

The young adults gain skills in the entire renovation process: demolition, electrical, plumbing, dry wall, cabinetry, flooring, trim carpentry, and electrical trim work. The general contractor acts as a mentor on a daily basis, providing leadership and teaching. Great ideas can be turned into reality when great people are involved and Boulder County Housing Authority was recognized for its great idea of helping the community while helping area youth.

A second award, called Reach for the Stars, is a special recognition given to young people who showed an exemplary work ethic in their summer job. Workforce Boulder County honored two young men for their outstanding work ethic during the summer.

Chris O’Connell was honored for his accomplishments this summer. Chris is an example of what a young man can achieve when given the right opportunities to succeed. He grew up in a very challenging family situation and also had made some bad choices in the past which created some barriers to employment.

Chris was accepted by Workforce Boulder County to be a part of an entry level carpenter and construction worker in a training program called Community Corps. and began working with four other teens on a project to remodel an apartment building for the Boulder County Housing Authority. Chris displayed a positive attitude from the beginning. Over the course of the project, he grew to become the leader of the crew. During the summer, he showed by example what can be done when you work hard and have a positive attitude. Today, he is fulfilling his dream of becoming an electrician.

School didn’t always come easy for Mike, but cars always did. In his spare moments, even until late in the evening, Mike could be found working on his own cars or the cars of his friends, family or neighbors.

Mike’s career goals began to come together when Workforce Boulder County helped him be admitted to the automotive program at Aims Community College. He was allowed to accumulate college credits while completing his final two years at Skyline High School.

The automotive program at Aims Community College involved students doing a “job shadow” and Mike took the initiative to do job shadowing at Hajek Chevrolet in Longmont while working at Wal-Mart.

Hajek Chevrolet staff were impressed by Mike’s professionalism, determination, and strong work ethic. After he went above and beyond all expectations in his job-shadowing experience, the company hired Mike in the service department in April. After two years of formal automotive training and successful employment, the dealership will send Mike to GM training where he will become a GM Specialist.

The Governor’s Summer Job Hunt offers more than job opportunities. It gives them the tools and self-confidence to be successful. And although the program’s twenty-seventh year has come to a close, the services are provided year round. Workforce Centers offer workshops and counseling in résumé writing, interviewing skills and job search strategies to help young people gain a competitive edge in their job hunt.

	Chris O’Connell Photo: Left to right: Booker Graves, director of the Office of Workforce Development; Donald J. Mares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; Chris O’Connell; Jim Carpenter, chief of staff to Governor Bill Ritter; 9News reporter and awards ceremony MC Paula Woodward.
	Boulder County Housing Authority: Left to right: Booker Graves, director of the Office of Workforce Development; Donald J. Mares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; Scott Simkus, development planner with the Boulder County Housing Authority; Jim Carpenter, chief of staff to Governor Bill Ritter; 9News reporter and awards ceremony MC Paula Woodward; Michael George, the project foreman on the apartment building renovation.
	Michael Angus: Left to right: Booker Graves, director of the Office of Workforce Development; Donald J. Mares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; Michael Angus; Jim Carpenter, chief of staff to Governor Bill Ritter; 9News reporter and awards ceremony MC Paula Woodward; Michael George, the project foreman on the apartment building renovation.