Training and retraining for Colorado’s workforce along with a certificate signed by Gov. Bill Ritter, were touted today by the governor and others as ways to keep Colorado on the path to economic recovery. Ritter and ruling legislative Democrats gathered at an office building in Golden to announce legislation that will implement the plan, including a government program that matches qualified employees with employers.
At the heart of the effort is a certificate program that measures a potential employee’s basic skills in applied math, locating information and reading—through testing—with a the governor’s autograph on a diploma issued by the program.
“This is the worst economy since the Great Depression,” Ritter told a small crowd gathered at the Jefferson County Human Services Building, west of Denver. “We’re focused on creating and retaining jobs and getting people back to work, ushering businesses through this downturn.”
A legislative leader was on hand to give the agenda a boost.
“Our goal is to create a 21st century workforce and to create jobs,” said Colorado Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, who joined Ritter at the event. “We are interested in specifics—things we can do today, during Colorado’s tough economic times.”
The pending legislation, backed by the governor and enthusiastically supported by Shaffer and his caucus, will be introduced in January proposing education and training for employees. Included in the package will be a provision similar to college savings plans, incentives for health care workers to work in rural areas and a nurse-training loan forgiveness program.
Today’s announcement by the Democratic governor was met with skepticism by legislative Republicans.
“Unfortunately, the governor seems to be more focused on job training programs than proposals to get Coloradans back to work,” said House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker. “If Gov. Ritter wants to get Coloradans back to work, he (should) repeal his onerous tax and fee increases, scale back his damaging oil and gas rules, and rethink the way government does business.