For Immediate Release
Date: February 8, 2021
Contact: Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations - cdle_pr@state.co.us
State Labor Department Announces 'Reemploy Colorado' Initiative
(DENVER) – Today, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced a three-week campaign to help Colorado’s unemployed workers return to work with virtual hiring events, workshops, job search support and more. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on Colorado’s workforce, with more than 270,000 people receiving unemployment benefits. This statewide initiative is aimed at helping our state’s workers return to work and our state’s employers fill critical vacancies as the State changes restrictions on the Covid-19 dial.
On February 1, the State reinstated required work search activities for claimants. The “Reemploy Colorado” initiative is aimed at helping these workers fulfill their work search requirements and obtain employment. By law, all unemployment insurance benefits recipients are required to engage in and complete activities that are designed to get them back to work. Examples of valid activities can be found at ColoradoUI.gov/eligibility.
“It’s always been our priority to collaborate with employers across the state and create opportunities for all Coloradans to prosper,” said Joe Barela, Executive Director, CDLE. “Our services and resources are needed now more than ever, and it’s vitally important that we help get jobless Coloradans back into the workforce. As businesses in Yellow and Blue on the Covid-19 dial begin increasing capacity, more employment opportunities will open up for workers. Now would also be an opportune time to consider a career shift to another potential occupation that is hiring. We want job seekers to know we have resources available to help them make those transitions.”
ConnectingColorado.com, the State’s largest job search database, currently has more than 76,000 job opportunities. Connecting Colorado is part of a state and county-run system that delivers immediate, tangible results for job seekers. There are also more than 27,000 location-neutral jobs. Gig workers and self-employed are encouraged to consider location-neutral job opportunities which provide flexible schedules in a work from home environment.
Here are some additional hiring highlights for the week:
Virtual Call Centers:
There are more than 400 virtual call center jobs in Colorado and the Division of Unemployment Insurance is also in need of additional call center agents for the third party call center.
Local and state government:
The State of Colorado has more than 400 jobs throughout the state. In the Denver Metro area, more than 160 county jobs are currently open for hire in a wide range of occupations. Counties are looking for skilled workers in law enforcement, accounting, civil engineering, construction, and social services.
Healthcare:
Colorado’s jobs database has more than 2,300 healthcare and healthcare support jobs. Nurses (including Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Licensed Practical Nurses) are in demand. Healthcare establishments are also seeking medical assistants, caregivers, certified nursing assistants, pharmacists, therapists, technicians, and physicians.
Restaurant and hospitality:
The Hospitality Industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but it’s an optimistic sign that the number of restaurant positions currently open for hire is increasing. Eating establishments across the state have immediate openings for bartenders, cooks, servers, baristas, chefs and sous chefs, hosts, kitchen workers and cashiers. Colorado currently has more than 1,500 job openings in restaurants and hospitality businesses.
This week there are a number of virtual events for jobseekers:
Monday, Feb 8th 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Career Reinvention
This series is an extremely helpful resource during the pandemic as many have been forced to pivot. Designed for experienced professionals seeking to change careers, Career Reinvention explores how to reconcile past issues that have clouded your confidence, redefine who you are and what you want to do, devise a personal reinvention plan and build an active professional network.
Tuesday, Feb 9th 2pm – 3pm
Job Seeker Webinar Workshop (Northwest)
FREE weekly Online Job Seeker workshops each Tuesday beginning at 2pm. Individual career coaching, latest job seeking trends, where to find the perfect job and how to keep it. More information at www.connectingcolorado.com.
Wednesday, Feb 10th 11:00am – 11:30am
Denver Workforce Services: “Now Hiring!” Series
Job seekers can listen to employers talk about their current openings, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about specific positions and what they’re looking for in employees. Participating employers include Aramark, National Western Conference, Denver Public Schools and more.
Wednesday, Feb 10th 9am – 5pm
Denver Regional Virtual Career Fair Event
Job seekers can participate in virtual presentations from employers, live chat with employers and submit applications.
Wednesday, Feb. 10th 2pm - 3pm
LinkedIn Basics Webinar
This webinar about LinkedIn is offered by the Mesa County Workforce Center. It provides job seekers with the basics of the online platform that connects professionals. You will learn how to network with people that can help you in your job search. For more information about the event, visit the Mesa County Workforce Center webpage.
Thursday, Feb 11th 10am – 5pm
Virtual Veterans Employment & Resource Expo
Open to the public with priority of service and attention for veterans and their spouses for the first hour, job seekers can explore opportunities with more than 120 employers including Aerotek, Amazon, UC Health, Ball Aerospace and more.
Friday, Feb 12th 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Phone Interviews
A common first step in the hiring process is a phone interview or screening. This workshop will give job seekers insights on how to better prepare for the call and ace the interview.
Additional events, a list of free resources and other assistance including rental and food assistance is available at coloradoui.gov.
OnwardCO provides people affected by the pandemic housing, food, training, and employment. Job seekers can search for jobs and training using the OnwardCO intuitive system.
My Colorado Journey connects job seekers and students to careers, education planning and support resources through a guided process that drives action and goal completion: Mycoloradojourney.com.