Gov. Bill Ritter’s “Jobs Cabinet” on Monday called for more collaboration among education, workforce and economic-development organizations as part of the state’s effort to create jobs and better train Coloradans to fill them.
Ritter’s handpicked group of business, education and state leaders made the recommendations in a 32-page report 16 months in the making.
“We re-imagine a Colorado public-private partnership that increases business involvement in identifying and driving the workforce changes we need to ensure our continued prosperity,” the report states.
Recommendations in the report include:
• Developing collaboration among companies in the same industry rather than just working within geographical regions.
• Streamlining grant applications between various state agencies when possible.
• Encouraging education, workforce and economic-development groups to include representatives from other areas to serve on policymaking bodies.
• Making workforce information more accessible to businesses and educators.
• Spending more money on education programs targeted at midlevel workers.
• Developing a website that provides business with easy access to local resources and information.
“We know we’re in tough times nationally; we’re in tough times in the state,” Ritter said. “This report and these recommendations … will help ensure that we recover stronger, quicker and healthier.”
Ritter’s office said supporters of the report include the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business. Members of the Jobs Cabinet include officials from the telecommunications, energy and financial-services industries.
“The end result will be a stronger homegrown workforce,” Ritter said.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
