Phil Castle, The Business Times

Karen Troester knows from experience how difficult it can be for business owners and managers to find time to learn more about the resources available to them, especially when it comes to hiring and managing staff.

But Troester also recognizes an important opportunity when she sees one. That includes an upcoming event that will offer in one day and one place a range of information about workforce management and the variety of resources available to help.

“This is one time to stop and go  and do this,” said Troester, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Federal Credit Union and immediate past chairwoman of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership Board of Directors.

Troester is among those involved in staging the Mesa County Workforce Summit. Grand Junction Federal Credit Union will serve as title sponsor for the event.

Troester joined Curtis Englehart, executive director of GJEP; Lindsay Bullock, manager of the Mesa County Workforce Center; and Brigitte Sundermann, vice president for community college affairs at Colorado Mesa University for an interview with the Business Times to discuss the summit.

Troester, Englehart, Bullock and Sundermann all said the workforce summit will offer information not only about various workforce topics, but also the services and support available to local businesses.

CMU President John Marshall is scheduled to deliver the morning keynote address.

A series of breakout sessions will follow and cover such topics as apprenticeships, business ethics, employee health care, human resources legal issues, skills-based hiring and upskilling. Another presentation will offer a information about workforce development programs and resources.

A networking session will precede lunch and a second keynote speaker.

Bullock said the summit is part of efforts to promote awareness of available resources, many of them free.

Sundermann agreed. “To me, this is really about connecting the dots, finding out who to call to get help.”

The Mesa County Workforce Center assists businesses looking for employees by posting job openings and hosting hiring events, Bullock said. The center also can help write job descriptions and screen applicants.

Still more assistance is available with internships and on-the-job training. In covering wages paid to interns and those receiving on-the-job training, the programs reduce financial risk to employers trying out applicants, she said.

Sundermann said CMU Tech offers 30 certificate and associate degree programs as well as variety of noncredit professional and personal development courses.

CMU Tech also offers businesses customized training, Sundermann said. It’s usually a matter of a business owner or manager calling to inquire about setting up training.

“I would just like to know what they need, because I think we can do it,” she said. “What do you need? I would like to be their first call.”

Moreover, training and career development promotes employee retention, Sundermann said.

Troester said workforce programs that help cover the cost of training offer benefits to businesses considering an applicant for a job. If it doesn’t work out, the business isn’t out the money. “If it does, it’s a big win,” she said.

But business owners and managers first have to find the time to learn more about those resources and others available to them, Troester said.

The Mesa County Workforce Summit is set for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at the CMU Center ballroom. Individual tickets sell for $55. Table sponsorships, which include eight tickets, sell for $400. Admission includes breakfast and lunch.

Tickets and more information are available at  https://mcwfc.us/2024-workforce-summit or by contacting Lindsay Bullock at (970) 248-7562 or Lindsay.Bullock@mesacounty.us.