Working For A Living: The Jobs, The Numbers, The Help

Looking for A New Career in Leadville

If your hospitality or outside recreation job finds you wondering how you are going to pay the bills this month, then consider a shift for 2021.  In light of the present economy, Colorado Workforce Centers across the state have joined services and virtual resources making it easier – and more affordable – than ever to make a career change or job upgrade.

From free webinars and certification classes to online counseling/guidance and resume building, check out their ongoing services in a multitude of fields from construction to healthcare to the tech industry. Take you pick from the list below and step into the New Year with a new plan for your goals!

Construction Careers

Job seekers: Interested in a career in construction? There are lots of exciting new trends in this field from redefined workspaces to the advancement of living materials in new construction. It’s more than just a hammer and nails these days but entry-level jobs can bring laborers into the market at $20/hour and benefits. There are a series of FREE workshops being offered virtually by Denver Workforce Services; no need to dive to the front range! In partnership with the Colorado Workforce Centers, this series informs to find construction jobs, training programs, and apprenticeship opportunities. Calls are every Wednesday from 10:30-11 a.m. Register HERE.

Tech Careers

Mobile App Developers. Software Developers. Market Research Analyst. Interested in a career in tech then consider specializing in the skills needed for one of many jobs that will have staying power in today – and tomorrow’s world. Join Denver Workforce Services every Wednesday from 1 – 1:30 p.m. for information on how you can advance your tech career goals! Register HERE.

Healthcare Careers

Interested in a career in healthcare? Considering the new hospital, existing medical facilities, a growing population, and neighboring counties’ world-renown hospitals and clinics, a career in healthcare offers the security and satisfaction many educated professionals are looking for in the New Year. If that’s you, then take advantage of the upcoming Denver Workforce Services info session on Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 1:30 – 2 p.m. for information on how you can advance your healthcare career goals! Register HERE.

Update Your Resume and Get Linked In

While the social media platform Linked In has become the 21st-century resume for job seekers in certain fields, an up-to-date resume can also be a deal-sealer in other careers. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to do both – for FREE! If you’re looking for a new job in the New Year don’t miss this opportunity.

Resume Workshop

• When: Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Overview: This workshop will provide a framework for creating an effective resume or improving the one you already have. You will learn to list the essential information you need to develop a great resume in a competitive job environment.
• Outcomes:
  • Learn what employers say about effective resume length, headings, and formats.
  • Learn how to outline your accomplishments, experience, and skills for maximum impact and focus your content to match job requirements.
  • Avoid the common mistakes and improve your current resume so that you have a better chance of gaining an invitation to a job interview.
  • After attending this workshop, revise your resume and attend Resume II to receive feedback on your document from our Career Services Advisors.

LinkedIn Workshop

• When: Thursday, Dec. 31, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• The LinkedIn workshop is designed to give you the tips and tricks needed to use LinkedIn successfully for job search. You will learn security and privacy settings to make your social media experience more comfortable. Click here to attend. By Phone (669) 900-6833. Access: 949 1921 9002

Programs Help Workers

There is help if you’re motivated to connect and follow through. So, if you or someone you know has been talking about making a change or has been out of work for months and finding it hard to get back in the game, listen up.

“We are very aware that Coloradans statewide are struggling to keep afloat during these challenging times,” said Joe Barela, Executive Director of CDLE. “As public servants, we have worked to process claims, deliver benefits, fight fraud, and provide workforce services to advance Colorado’s economic recovery.”

In fact, Colorado’s recently released Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) annual report, Driving Colorado Forward Together, highlights quite specifically the impacts of workforce development investments on Colorado’s individuals and businesses.

For example, in Program Year 2019, workforce center customers secured higher incomes and employers who used the centers’ services saw cost savings. Throughout Colorado, 313,370 job seekers and 9,045 businesses were served by local workforce centers in PY2019. Of those job seekers, 63.2% successfully found employment and 64.5% retained employment one year later. Additionally, more than $453 million in wages were returned to the economy through the Colorado public workforce system.

Plain and simple, these professionals are ready to help, but you have to connect and take advantage of the programs and services.

“We will continue our strategic and targeted efforts so that Coloradans affected by the pandemic have the tools they need to weather the economic downturn. I encourage Colorado workers and employers to reach out to one of the 52 Workforce Centers to access no-cost services provided by expert staff,” concluded Barela.

The Leadville Workforce Center is located on the Colorado Mountain College campus in Leadville. However, due to current state and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19, they are only seeing people virtually or by phone at  (719) 486-2428.

Help for Small Business Owners and Budding Entrepreneurs

For those who have decided to go it alone, by starting your first business, or perhaps you’re ready to take that next step and learn how to sell something you make, there are plenty of FREE online classes being offered through the Colorado Small Business Administration. Listed below is a small sample, but if that interests you then click on the image below to be taken to the full list and links to register. Make your dreams come true in 2021!

November Labor Numbers Released

Earlier this week, the Colorado Employment Situation for November 2020 was distributed by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) reporting a 6.8% unemployment rate for Lake County, up a bit from October’s 6.7%. Statewide, private-sector payroll jobs decreased by 5,900, while the government shed 1,000 jobs. This ends a six-month streak of consecutive job gains in Colorado. Readers can find some economic highlights, and a peek at how neighboring counties are doing on the COVID jobs rebound in the data provided below. The FULL Colorado Employment Situation Release for November 2020.

Economic highlights:

• Colorado’s labor force decreased by 100 in November to 3,136,000. The labor force participation rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point to 67.5 percent.
• The number of individuals employed in Colorado increased by 500 in November to 2,936,700, which represents 63.2 percent of the state’s 16+ population.
• The Colorado counties with the highest unemployment rates in November were: San Miguel (11.2%), Pitkin (10.2%), Huerfano (8.7%), Pueblo (8.3%), and Eagle (7.8%). County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted and are directly comparable to Colorado’s November unadjusted rate of 6.2 percent.

Unemployment: By The Numbers