Weld County recognizes workforce efforts during month of September
Published on September 09, 2022
Honoring those who help residents find and retain jobs in Weld County. That was the sentiment behind the proclamation of Workforce Development Month made by the Board of Weld County Commissioners this week. The proclamation reaffirmed the board’s support of Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Workforce Development Council, educators, businesses and economic developers in workforce development efforts.
ESWC is a comprehensive workforce center that connects residents to resources for employment, education and training services. Skilled staff provide a wide variety of services, including labor exchange, job referrals, skills assessment, eligibility screening for career counseling and training programs. ESWC also aims to make meaningful connections between Weld County employers and those seeking employment, including hosting job fairs and developing customized recruitment strategies to meet individual business needs.
"Recently ESWC received funding through the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Department of Labor designed to reskill, upskill and next skill (RUN) our local workforce," explained Tami Grant, Deputy Director of the Weld County Department of Human Services. "To date, 224 Weld County residents have benefited from this initiative and have collectively expended over $775,000 to support individual training and development. 96 individuals have already obtained an industry-recognized credential and another 50 are in progress. So, we are putting these funds to good use here in Weld County."
At the proclamation reading Wednesday, the BOCC was joined by ESWC staff and members of the Weld County Workforce Development Board representing different businesses and community-based partners in Weld County and a few representatives from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The Weld County Workforce Development Board is responsible for identifying local and regional workforce development needs and creating comprehensive strategies designed to meet those needs as well as consider the region's economic development priorities while working alongside ESWC staff and community partners.
"It's critical to recognize the actual work that the department is doing as we look to leverage additional funds coming in from the state and federal government. Workforce centers not only help folks get jobs but also help companies fill positions, which is another important function,” said Rich Werner of Upstate Colorado and the Weld County Workforce Development Board.
To celebrate, ESWC will host various job fairs and workshops throughout the month and a Business Before Hours event on Sept. 14, 2022, from 7 – 9:30 a.m. at Employment Services of Weld County, located at 315 N. 11th Ave Bldg. B Greeley, CO 80634. ESWC has also teamed up with Larimer County to present business leaders and employers the 2022 Regional Workforce Symposium on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, in Greeley. For more event dates and times or more information about ESWC and the Workforce Development Board, please visit https://www.eswc.org.
