Phil Castle, The Business Times

A month-long observance that will include job fairs, career days and other events is planned to not only help make connections between employers and job seekers, but also highlight available resources.

“We have services for everyone,” said Heather Nara, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction.

The center will join with Colorado Mesa University, Mesa County School District 51 and others in an observance of Workforce Development Month.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared September Workforce Development Month.  During the month, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and its partners will highlight resources employers, workers and communities can use to grow businesses, advance careers and promote economic prosperity. Resources will include information about in-demand skills and growing industries, labor market trends and upcoming training sessions and events.

In Mesa County, the observance will include the Mavericks Career Fair set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 on the CMU campus in Grand Junction.

Baily Manupella, a workforce development liaison with works with the Mesa County Workforce Center and CMU, said she expects a total of about 80 employers to participate in the career fair, including employers with positions locally, in Colorado and across the United States and even the world.

Manupella said students will attend the career fair in search of full- and part-time jobs as well as internships. Some of the students will attend to make connections now that could help them in job searches later. Assistance will be available to review resumes. ”It’s kind of a good, one-stop shop for students.”

The fair also will feature food trucks and music, she said. “It’ll kind of make it fun, too.”

A separate natural resources career fair is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 in the CMU University Center, Manuepella said. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and other government agencies and employers will participate in the career fair to fill positions related to natural resources management, Manupella said.

The goal of career fairs as well as other services is to connect students with opportunities and help them become successful, she said.

The Mesa County Workforce Center has scheduled a fall job fair for 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the center, 512 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. Early access for veterans will begin at 12:30 p.m.

A free job fair bootcamp to help people prepare for the fair is set for 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at the center.

Tabi Britt, employment services supervisor at the center, said spaces will be available for 55 employers to participate in the job fair. Employers can still register to attend. There is no charge. The only requirement is that they’re hiring to fill immediate job openings, she said.

Britt said participating employers will come from a variety of industries and will recruit to fill a range of positions.

Mesa County School District 51 has scheduled a workforce development day for high school juniors for 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 12.

Britt said the event will involve for the first time all juniors in the district — about 1,400 of them — to acquaint them with various career pathways to consider. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

Nara said she hopes workforce development month promotes awareness of the resources available to employers looking for new hires and job hunters looking for new opportunities.

For businesses looking for employees, Nara said the center posts job openings and hosts hiring events. The center also can help write job descriptions and screen applicants.

For those looking for employment, the center offers help with job searches, completing resumes and preparing for interviews. Classes help participants pass the General Educational Development Test. Help also is available in earning commercial drivers licenses. That’s not to mention assistance with child care and other resources. Additional assistance is available to employers and job seekers with internships and on-the-job training. Most services are available at no charge.

For more information about the 2024 Fall Job Fair scheduled for  Sept. 17 at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction, call (970) 248-7560 or visit www.mesacounty.us/jobfair.