For Immediate Release

 

Date:                 July 10, 2009

Contact:          Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations

Phone:             (303) 318-8004

Fax:                 (303) 318-8070

Web:               www.coworkforce.com

 

 

WORKFORCE CENTERS TO HOLD LISTENING SESSION TO LEARN
HOW THEY CAN BETTER SERVE LOCAL EMPLOYERS

 

(DENVER) – With no issue more important to economic development than a skilled workforce, the Workforce Centers serving Edwards, Glenwood Springs, Leadville and Rifle are working to build stronger relationships with the employers they serve.  They know that economic development is built and strengthened one business at a time and that when businesses are successful, the community prospers as well.

 

To that end, the Workforce Centers are inviting local employers to an information gathering session on July 16:

 

Date:                Thursday, July 16, 2009

Time:                10 AM to 1 PM (lunch will be served)

Locations:         Routt County Commissioners Hearing Room

                        522 Lincoln Avenue, Historic Courthouse, Third Floor

                        Steamboat Springs, CO

 

The listening session provides a unique opportunity for employers to meet face-to-face with Workforce Center staff and provide their input regarding key issues and how local Workforce Centers can assist them.  The session has been organized by the Northwest Workforce Board which is comprised of business and community leaders who set policy for the Workforce Centers in Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand and Rio Blanco Counties.

 

Janiene Rader of Tri-State G&T chairs the Board.  “The local Workforce Center is a key player in tackling the economic challenges facing the community,” she says, “and these listening sessions will help them better understand the needs and concerns of the employers they serve.”

 

Rader says that before embarking on a plan for the future, it is important to establish a baseline understanding of employer needs and concerns.  “Businesses know that they can only be successful when they fully understand their customers’ needs and expectations.  That applies to Workforce Centers’ plans for the future as well -- and these sessions will help start an important dialogue with them.”

 

The Workforce Board is particularly interested in hearing from local business representatives on these issues:

 

§                     Workforce issues and their top concerns for the future

§                     Necessary skills for an employee to be successful in their business

§                     Training that would build a more skilled workforce

§                     The recruitment and retention issues facing their business

§                     How Workforce Centers can help them achieve employment goals.

 

Seating is limited so employers interested in attending should RSVP to Cindy Hoover at (970) 887-1857.

 

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