Take This Job. No, Really!

Jobs-A-Plenty as Resorts Gear Up

Lake County’s unemployment rate is at 1.9%, that’s according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s employment situation report for September 2019 which was released last Friday, Oct. 18. And while that low number doesn’t come as a surprise considering the number of job fairs and help wanted ads posted as the ski areas and supporting businesses gear up for the winter season, it’s still pretty good pickings if you’re looking for a job – or two!

Did you know that at peak season Copper Mountain Resort in Summit County employs 1,500 people? Compare that to the dozens of folks needed to keep things at Ski Cooper as well as the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center and Cookhouse operating smoothly. But the biggest employer in the Colorado ski biz is over in Eagle County even though all of its holdings are not. In fact, Vail Resorts is hiring hundreds of full-time and part-time positions at its Job Fair this Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Mountain Thunder Lodge in the Quandary Peak Room in Breckenridge. Job offers for its resorts at Keystone, Breckenridge and Vail Resort will be made on the spot for positions that include food and beverage, ski and ride school, retail, mountain operations, hospitality and more!

But if you’re looking for that one-of-a-kind dream job, your odds just got a little better this year. Industry leaders at Ski.com are searching for candidates who can document what it’s like to experience six of the hottest Ski Destinations around the world. Last year they choose just one. For 2020 they are expanding the terrain to include a dozen lucky ski-bums.

Applications are curently open for 12 qualified candidates (two per destination) to travel to top destinations featured below via United Airlines. The ideal candidates must have a serious desire to travel to some of the most amazing mountain destinations on the planet, must be able to ski and/or snowboard at an advanced intermediate level and above and must love après, mingling with locals and documenting their travel experiences. You can watch the following video below and check out more details/apply on the Ski.com website.

The Numbers: Jobs Report for September 2019

The following information was provided by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado decreased by 1,900 from August to September to 2,789,100 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Government decreased by 1,200 payroll jobs and the private sector declined by 700. This is the first over the month decline since September 2018. August estimates were revised down to 2,791,000, and the over the month change from July to August was an increase of 400 rather than the originally estimated increase of 9,000.

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point from August to September to 2.7 percent. The number of people actively participating in the labor force increased 5,100 over the month to 3,160,200 and the number of people reporting themselves as employed increased 8,200 to 3,075,000, causing the number of unemployed to decrease 3,100 and the unemployment rate to decline to 2.7 percent. The national unemployment rate decreased twotenths of a percentage point in September to 3.5 percent.

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 34.2 to 34.0 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $29.38 to $30.90. The largest over the month private sector job gain was in professional and business services. There were no significant private sector over the month declines.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 56,900, with an increase of 49,600 in the private sector and an increase of 7,300 in government. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and educational and health services. Financial activities, information, and construction declined over the year.

Over the year, the unemployment rate is down eight-tenths of a percentage point from 3.5 percent. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 39,400, total employment increased 64,900 and the number of unemployed decreased 25,500. The national unemployment rate declined from 3.7 percent in September 2018 to 3.5 percent in September 2019.

Census Hiring For 2020 Jobs

Did you know, that on average, Colorado receives $2,300 per person annually from the federal government to pay for things like workforce development, roads and infrastructure, healthcare, and more? This funding is determined in part by Census counts.

According to the Colorado Workforce Center, the US Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to fill full- and part-time jobs across the state. Help your community get a complete count by letting your friends and employees know about this flexible hours, temporary employment opportunity and make sure our communities are fairly represented. At stake this year is an additional congressional seat for Colorado and federal dollars to support your community.

Recruiting is going on now across the state and online at the 2020 Census Jobs website.

From skilled laborers to dedicated service workers, Lake County is experiencing a shortage of employees.