labor lawAdivision of labor law center

A new Colorado law requires employers to make accommodations for nursing mothers in the workplace.

Under the new law, statute 8-13 5-104 CRS, both public and private employers must provide reasonable unpaid break time or permit an employee to use paid (more…)

The Colorado drug free workplace program has incorporated a new element that should help enhance worker morale and cut costs. Designed by OSHA especially for mobile construction industry worksites, it is meant not only to help cut costs and boost morale, but also to improve safety and health records.

It is called the VPP mobile Workforce Demonstration for Construction. VPP stands for Voluntary Protection Program. VPPs were first started in 1982, but it has only been since 2006 that they were created specifically for mobile sites in the construction industry. OSHA says a drug free workplace is an essential component of health and safety in the workplace – especially in the construction workplace.

How does a VPP work? A VPP gives companies an opportunity to voluntarily submit to a rigorous and thorough health and safety inspection. Once a company passes such an inspection, it receives recognition as a model for the industry as a whole.

Edwin Foulke, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, describes the process. VPP, as he puts it, “recognizes those construction companies that should be held up as models of safety and health for the rest of the industry.”

VPPs generally judge a company’s safety and health record based on a set of performance-based standards specifically designed for the construction industry. Onsite examination is thorough, and construction contractors must insure that hazards are eliminated. One of the targets for an employer’s advance preparation may include dangers related to falling. Another may be the development of safe trenching methods. Employers must also insure that workers are trained in safety techniques. Finally, contractors must deal with the safety and health records and qualifications of their subcontractors.

Assistant Secretary Foulke pointed out that the VPP Mobile Workforce Demonstration for Construction acknowledges the mobile site contractor. It “offers construction employers with mobile construction workforces and short term projects the same opportunity for recognition that fixed-site employers receive,” he said.

With its recent announcement, the US Department of Labor raised hopes that a Colorado unemployment grant might be a possibility. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced the third generation of WIRED grants. According to Chao, “Investing in area workforces through this collaborative approach will boost entire regions’ economic vitality. This regional economic development strategy transcends political boundaries to better leverage a region’s assets to help workers succeed in the 21st century worldwide economy.”
 
The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grants, known as WIRED grants, are part of an initiative of the Employment and Training Administration, which operates within the US Department of Labor. These grants look for innovative ways to help keep the skills of workers both competitive and current.

WIRED grants have already helped many areas of the country. Some of the areas of the country that have received past WIRED grants are northern California, the Delaware Valley, northern Indiana, the Colorado/Arkansas Delta region, and northern Alabama.

So far, $260 million has been awarded by the US Labor Department through the WIRED grants. This money has gone to 26 regions of the country, and also has fostered cooperation among 10 agencies of the federal government. The synergy sparked by the WIRED grants works to create job opportunities that utilize high levels of skill and that also pay high wages. 

The competition for WIRED grants is intense, and grant proposals must be approved by the governor of the state for which they are submitted. Secretary Chao sent each governor a letter explaining the grants. Every state can submit no more than two proposals, and each proposal can be for a grant of up to $5 million. When regions compete, they need to also identify state, private, and regional funding sources that can be used in conjunction with the money from the US Department of Labor.

The Colorado Employment picture is generally good, according to the most recent national unemployment figures. In fact, Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Dept. of Labor and Employment, characterizes the Colorado labor market as “generally favorable.”

The most recent Colorado employment report available is for February. According to those figures, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 3/10 of one percent, from 3.9% to 3.8%.

“Although Colorado’s jobless rate remains low, a slowing national economy and softening housing market will likely keep job growth modest in the months ahead,” said Mares. The current unemployment rate is the lowest since July 2001, when the rate was also 3.8%.

This year’s rate compares very favorably to last year, when the February unemployment rate in Colorado was 4.3%.

The number of employed Colorado residents increased 27,300 over the month to 2,585,300. Total employment has increased by 85,600 since last February. Meanwhile, unemployment fell 7,500 to 101,100, down 11,500 from one year ago.

All local labor markets saw the jobless rate decrease except Hinsdale County. Rio Blanco County enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate at 2.1% due to increases in mining and gas jobs. The highest unemployment rate was 8.1% in Costilla County.

Seasonal gains in education accounted for the entire 10,600 increase in government as well as the majority of the 2,600 positions created in education and health services. Construction rebounded from a lackluster January to add 1,600 jobs while professional and business services advanced 1,000.

Total non-farm wage and salary employment in the State increased 12,000 in February, according to the monthly survey of Colorado businesses. The increase was about typical for the month with employment expanding in eight industries and contracting in three. Most sectors experienced small payroll changes.

Trade, transportation and utilities employment fell 4,700. The loss was concentrated entirely within retail trade and is likely attributable to retailers trimming any remaining seasonal holiday help.

Here’s some good news for those looking for a job in Colorado.

The Canon City Workforce Center has a Job Fair scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2007. The event will be held at the Pueblo Community College in Fremont from 9 am to 12 noon.

The event is designed to showcase the diversity of Colorado employment opportunities.

“This job fair has something for everyone,” says Jolene Meisner of the Canon City Workforce Center. “You’ll discover positions available at all levels – part-time, full-time, summer jobs for older teens and career opportunities for people interested in making a career change. Best of all, we have over 40 companies represented and they will be there because they’re looking to fill immediate openings.”

Meisner points out that interviewing at job fairs is a very cost-effective and efficient way for job seekers to meet with representatives from many different companies. The most successful applicants come dressed for an interview, with a résumé in hand.

“During one morning, you can meet with dozens of company representatives. Job seekers can set up interviews and establish valuable new contacts in much less time than this kind of networking normally takes,” Meisner says.

The event is also ideal for company recruiters, who can often identify a number of qualified applicants within minutes. Job fairs expose workers to industries and companies that they might not otherwise consider.

This event will allow job seekers to learn about Colorado employment opportunities at the top businesses in Fremont County. They’ll be able to gather more information about a number of careers from informal meetings with recruiters. This is a great way to develop a relationship with a mentor in a field that interests you.

Professionals from the Cannon City Workforce Center will also be on hand with information about the free services they provide.

“Keep in mind that although the atmosphere may be casual, the recruiters you’ll be talking with are looking for employees who are the right fit,” Jolene Meisner advises. “So be personable and ready to summarize your skills in a noisy environment. The goal is to leave a clear impression of the benefits you have to offer. If possible, bring a current résumé; remember, the Workforce Center can help with résumé preparation.”