For Immediate Release
Date: September 21, 2020
Contact: Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations - cdle_pr@state.co.us
Website: cdle.colorado.gov
As the pandemic continues to disrupt the world of work, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has chosen the third week of Workforce Development Month to highlight how apprenticeships can benefit both workers and employers.
The benefits of apprenticeships are many: as many businesses struggle with severe skills gaps, apprenticeships offer them the opportunity to train and hire the talent they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy. Apprentices also benefit; during a time of increased unemployment, they are able to learn in-demand skills while also earning a paycheck.
In a recent article, Joe Barela, Executive Director of CDLE lauds industries that have taken steps to intentionally create learning and training opportunities for their employees; he specifically praises the tech sector, which “experiencing an especially acute skills gap, has long worked to supply itself with the scarce skilled talent it needs to grow. Due to its unmet needs, the sector has been a pioneer in adopting apprenticeship programs, hiring candidates with non-traditional backgrounds, and offering employees training opportunities.” He goes on to say that employers who “provide learning and training opportunities to their employees...will not only future proof their workforce, but also improve employee retention, morale, and engagement.
CDLE offers many apprenticeship-related services to both workers and employers: through the state’s 52 Workforce Centers, workers can find local apprenticeship opportunities. Employers can take advantage of the department’s business services, which include assistance in setting up an apprenticeship program and getting it registered with the United States Department of Labor.
During Workforce Development Month, CDLE will be highlighting upcoming trainings, events, and resources to help both employers and workers navigate this new world of work. Upcoming events are listed below.
To find your local Workforce Center, visit cdle.colorado.gov/wfc
Upcoming events include:
Every Wednesday 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Careers in Construction.
Every Wednesday 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Careers in Tech.
September 17, 12:00 pm: Eastern Sub-Area: How to Hire With Colorado Workforce Center Business Services.
September 21, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Virtual Workshop: Emotional Intelligence.
September 24, 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Resources for People Who Are Unemployed.
September 30, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Boulder Workforce Development Virtual Roundtable.
For a comprehensive list, please visit CDLE’s website.
The theme for next week is:
September 28: Impacted Industries
Hospitality, Restaurants, and Retail: While the pandemic has affected nearly every sector of the economy, hospitality, restaurants, and retail have been especially hard hit. CDLE will be highlighting resources businesses and workers in these industries can use to take their next step.