HB 1272 connects the jobless with training to work for a Colorado employer or start a business

By: Crisanta Duran


With the increase in specialization required for manufacturing jobs, there is a nationwide shortage of nearly 600,000 skilled workers, according to the Manufacturing Institute. They also found that over 60% of U.S. manufacturers say they are facing a moderate to severe shortage of skilled workers.
Further, Colorado employers paid nearly $20 million in 2010 to bring a total of 5,761 workers from other locations to Colorado because we did not have the skilled workers to fill those vacancies according to the Department of Labor and Employment. The majority of these jobs were filled by computer science and IT professionals—these jobs are in high-demand and their pay is well-above average. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and IBM have all participated in worker training programs in Colorado, and House Bill 1272 will bring quality job-training programs to Coloradans who need work, but lack the necessary skills to fill these excellent positions.
HB 1272 is supported by the National Federation of Independent Business, CACI and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Robert Ramirez.
By: Crisanta Duran
State Representative in House District 5
crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us

Chamber E-News - May/June 2012

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