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Author: Pakita Eckford

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A/D Works! staff present at 2023 Think Big Conference

A/D Works! staff present at 2023 Think Big Conference

September 7, 2023

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment hosted the 2023 Think Big Conference August 28th – 30th in Loveland. Multiple staff from Arapahoe/Douglas Works! (A/D Works!) were selected to present to a statewide audience of workforce development professionals, employers, and community partners.

Ruth McCormick and Dee Wittmer held an interactive and insightful workshop designed to help workforce understand the needs of today’s young adults and assist businesses with addressing their labor shortages.

Ellyn Mager and Ruth Prosko spoke about how A/D Works! built a sustainable co-enrollment model across the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Colorado Works, Employment First, and other discretionary grant programs.

A/D Works! nominated employer partners who have a passion for working with young adults for various awards. Cablenet won a Governor’s Summer Job Hunt Employer Award for creating valuable opportunities for young adults. The Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) received the Proud Partner award for achieving greater results through commitment to developing sound partnerships that make an impact in the community. In 2022, A/D Works! served 40 young adults referred by CCIC. In Spring 2023 alone, A/D works! supported nearly 100 CCIC students to complete training for and obtain Certified Nursing Assistant licenses.

Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board member Todd Nielsen also co-facilitated a presentation on utilizing data to inform decisions with Workforce Boulder County’s Barbara Larsen. The session discussed how data is gathered, interpreted, and used to better inform all stakeholders in the workforce ecosystem.

If you are a job seeker, connect with a Career Advisor here to discuss your job search needs. If you are a business, reach out to a Business Development Representative here to discuss your recruitment goals and/or to access up-to-date labor market information.

#LetsThinkBig #PlugIntoYourPassion #ThinkBIG2023

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Parents to Work Hosts Accomplishment Ceremony

Parents to Work Hosts Accomplishment Ceremony

August 16, 2023

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the Parents to Work program hosted its annual Accomplishment Ceremony. The event was an opportunity for customers and their families to come together and celebrate their successes. Seven (7) customers and their families were in attendance.

The event featured a keynote address from Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora, a certificate ceremony, and speeches from Arapahoe County Commissioner Carrie Warren-Gully, program staff, and participants. Accomplishments celebrated during the event included graduation from the Parents to Work program, completion of training (such as the ACC Virtual Work Readiness Program), and attainment of a certificate or credential (e.g. forklift certificate, CDL-A licensure, and Insurance Licensure).

Parents to Work is a partnership between Arapahoe County Child Support Services and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! that is designed to help customers meet their obligations of child support while also being able to meet their day-to-day needs. Parents to Work offers employment, training, GED prep, and supportive services to both custodial and non-custodial parents with a child support case in Arapahoe County. The program focuses on family wellbeing, providing support to multiple generations within the family unit. In Program Year 2021-2022, over 30 customers graduated from the program by working and meeting their child support obligations for 12 consecutive months. In addition, over 15 individuals completed post-secondary training and/or attained different types of industry-recognized credentials.

Learn more about the Parents to Work program at https://bit.ly/3BQOlNC.

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A/D Works! Hosts Business Spotlight Event

A/D Works! Hosts Business Spotlight Event

March 21, 2023

Business owners from the Metro area shared their expertise at a Business Spotlight hosted at Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center on February 22, 2023. The panel of four business owners represented Restaurant, Retail, Transportation, and Personal Services industries. Panelists shared start-up information, current business and marketing strategies, and future plans.

Featured Panelists:

Dawn Wlyde, the CEO of Artcraft Sign Company, a custom sign fabrication company.

Keisha Bradley, the CEO of KB’s Vegan Kitchen, a vegan catering company.

Clarence Thedford, the owner of Mile High Solutions Network LLC, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure business.

Courtney Samuel, the owner of Bodies by Perseverance, an exclusive personal training and fitness gym.

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A/D Works! hosts dynamic 2023 Metro Denver Retail Partnership Conference

A/D Works! hosts dynamic 2023 Metro Denver Retail Partnership Conference

March 2, 2023

Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center hosted the 2023 Conference for the Metro Denver Retail Partnership at CentrePoint Plaza on February 16th. The goal of the conference was to re-engage businesses in the sector partnership by demonstrating how the partnership can assist them with developing a viable talent pipeline.

The partnership’s focus includes retail, hospitality, and food and beverage businesses. The conference featured a welcome introduction from Jason Lusk of Visit Denver, followed by a robust presentation from state demographer, Elizabeth Garner. Both speakers provided insights into tourism, the labor market, legislative and economic updates, and workforce trends. A business panel provided their insights into their available opportunities and struggles with hiring and retention.

A workforce panel offered work-based learning and apprenticeship solutions, including other no-cost services available at workforce centers that assist businesses with addressing their pain points. The nearly 50 attendees included a wide variety of representatives from various businesses, local chambers, the Department of Corrections, and training providers.

If you are interested in learning more about this or other sector partnerships, visit https://bit.ly/3lMWlJm or contact the A/D Works! Business Services team.

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Colorado’s Workforce System Celebrates Annual Workforce Development Month

Colorado’s Workforce System Celebrates Annual Workforce Development Month

September 1, 2022

This year, Colorado’s Workforce System is showcasing the individuals, programs, and services that are assisting our state’s workforce in thriving throughout September, which is designated as Workforce Development Month.

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Parents to Work Program hosts Accomplishment Ceremony

Parents to Work Program hosts Accomplishment Ceremony

August 11, 2022

The Parents to Work Program, a collaboration between Arapahoe County Child Support Services and Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, celebrated an Accomplishment Ceremony on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

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National Literacy Directory

National Literacy Directory

January 13, 2022

The National Literacy Directory is designed to help people find local literacy and education programs, as well as GED testing centers in their areas.

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