Economic Impact of
Workforce Center Operations
July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
Economic Impact Report
1
December 1, 2015
On behalf of the Arapahoe and Douglas Counties Board of Commissioners, the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce
Development Board is proud to share this seventh annual report on economic impact and return on taxpayer
investment for workforce development, serving the southeastern portion of the Denver metropolitan area in the
state of Colorado.
This report is compiled each year at the request of the Board by its operator, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, which
provides federally funded workforce development services in the two-county region.
Significant findings show that as a result of Arapahoe/Douglas Works! operation during the year ending June
30, 2015, the increase in regional economic activity from worker earnings attributable to the value added
by Arapahoe/Douglas Works! is $286.8 million, with taxpayers public investment paid back business/
industry in just 11.76 months. For each public dollar spent, worker earnings increased by $30.59.
Publicly funded workforce centers are a vital part of a region’s infrastructure. Along with P-12, postsecondary
educators, economic developers, chambers of commerce and other community organizations, workforce
development helps key industries in the region stay competitive by ensuring an ongoing adequate supply of
skilled labor.
The following pages illustrate the tremendous positive impact these federal job training programs have on a
region, its people and its businesses.
Regards,
Andrew Bercich
Workforce Development Board Chair
Comcast
Susan Rogers
Workforce Development Board Vice Chair
thresholdHR
Joseph M. Barela
Division Manager
Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
Workforce Center
Patrick J. Holwell, M.A.
Workforce Economist
Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
Workforce Center
Economic Impact Report
1
$9.3 million
invested by ADW!
23,848
$15,927
difference in
earnings
$286.8
million
value added by
ADW! to the
local economy
unique customers served
$30.59
$393.12
cost per customer served
23,397
customers placed in
employment
earnings returned to local
economy for every public
dollar spent
$35,799
average annualized earnings
of people NOT using a
workforce center
<1yr
time to pay back
taxpayers
18,009
were still employed
after six months
$51,726
average annualized
earnings of customers still
working after six months
Overview
The Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board serves the workforce development needs of
Arapahoe and Douglas counties, which together make up the southeastern portion of Colorado’s DenverAurora Metro Area. The Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board is made up of 36 members.
Eighteen are business leaders representing key regional industries, ten represent community organizations
and government, one represents local chambers of commerce, three represent organized labor, three
represent local education and one is an economic developer.
This Board’s vision is sustainable employment through strategic Workforce Investment Board Membership Representation
human capital investments that produce positive economic
returns for business/industry and our communities. Its mission
3% 3%
is to create a best-in-class regional system that is responsive to
8%
business/industry, resulting in a skilled workforce equipped
8%
with a work ethic, academic proficiency, and occupational50%
specific talent that rivals regional competition. A primary core
value is results that are best-in-class and provide the highest
28%
rate of return possible on public investment.
In keeping with this core value, the Board has asked its
operator, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center, for
annual reports on the economic impact of its operations within the Denver-Aurora Metro Area, and the
return it provides on public investment to taxpayers.
This is the seventh annual report covers its operational impact and rate of return for the program year
beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015 (PY14).
Workforce development and a vital economy
Workforce development is a vital part of the economic infrastructure in the southern Denver Metro region.
This infrastructure includes the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board, Arapahoe/Douglas
Works!, economic developers, real estate developers, local governments, public transit, utilities and P-20
education.
It is this public-private partnership which has made the Denver metro area one of the most diversified
economies in the United States; a magnet for young families because of world-class business parks,
public transportation infrastructure, international passenger and commercial air transportation, ample
recreational opportunities, clean air and water, and a vibrant, expanding economy that grows jobs.
Economic Impact Report
3
Economic Impact & Return on Public Investment
In Program Year 2014, which began July 1, 2014 and ended June 30, 2015, Arapahoe/Douglas
Works! invested $9.38 million in public funds to serve 23,848, at a cost of $393.12 per customer
served. Of these:
• 23,848 were assisted in finding work
• 18,009 were still working after six months
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! measures its impact each year by looking at the difference in annual
wages between its customers and people who did NOT use a workforce center in their job
search. In Program Year 2014, this difference was $15,927 annually. This means that the total value
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! added to the regional economy was $286.8 million. This number is
simply the number of customers still working after six months (18,009) times the difference in annual
earnings between those using Arapahoe/Douglas Works! and those not using workforce centers in
their job search ($15,927).
For every one public dollar spent, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! returned $30.59 to the region in valueadd earnings. These results paid taxpayers back in 11.76 months.
The Difference in Earnings
$15,927
more per
year
The average earnings of persons
using Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
to find work between July 1, 2014
and June 30, 2015
$51,726
People using Arapahoe/Douglas Works! in their job search earned
an average of $15,927 more per year than those who did not
The average annual wage of persons
NOT using a workforce center in
their job search
Sources: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment &
U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Workforce Indicators
$35,799
Economic Impact & Return on Public Investment
Impact of the difference in earnings on consumer spending
The most valid and reliable way to measure the economic impact of workforce investment boards and
their workforce development regions is to measure the difference in earnings between those who used
the workforce development system to find work, and those who did not.
This model uses data reported by Social Security number to the Colorado Department of Labor and
Employment’s Unemployment Insurance Division to determine this difference in earnings.
Workforce Investment Works!
Joe, a 50-year-old job seeker, was laid off and came to Arapahoe/Douglas Works! looking for job
search assistance. Through the WIA Dislocated Worker program, Joe was able to obtain his PMP
Certification and find employment as a project manager for a telecommunications company earning
$48/hour!
How This Difference in Earnings Was Spent
Housing, Healthcare
and Transportation
Food, Apparel
and Services
Investments and
Insurance
Entertainment and
Personal Care
$170.4
$45.9
$21.6
$17.7
million
million
million
million
Source: U.S. Bureau Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey
Economic Impact Report
5
Service Statistics
The workforce center offers an array of tools to support local job seekers, including resources and
workshops for self-directed job search, one-on-one employment counseling, training assistance, professional
assessments, hiring events, labor market and career pathway information and walk-in youth and adult
resource centers with available computers, internet access, fax and copy machines.
Most Popular Workforce Center Services
• Visits to Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
offices
• Unique customers registered in
Arapahoe/Douglas Region
• Average number of center visits
• Cost per customer
• Cost/benefit ratio
Resource Center
Services (RC)
63,001
Job Search
Assistance (JS)
61,916
Job Search
Workshops
15,624
Labor Market
Informaiton
10,513
Vocational
Guidance
9,611
62,001
23,848
2.59
$393.12
$30.59
Source: Connecting Colorado Agent Report, PY14, AR Region
Workforce Investment Works!
“I want to personally thank the professionals at A/D Works! that were instrumental to me obtaining my
current position as an Account Manager. All the personnel I came in contact with were very professional,
courteous and helpful!” - Mark
“Thank you for boosting my morale. I will recommend everyone I know to A/D Works!. As for those over
fifty - hang in there! There actually can be light at the end of the tunnel.” -Susan.
Website Statistics
Customers also utilize the Arapahoe/Douglas Works! website (www.adworks.org) to gain knowledge
and information for their job search and business needs. Some of the tools that can be found are labor
market information, agency and business reports, hiring event and workshop schedules and industry
profiles.
• Number of website visits
164,609
• Number of unique visitors
72,011
Source: Google Analytics
Most Popular Website Pages(www.adworks.org)
@
1
Home Page
2 Events
3 Search Jobs
4 Programs
5 Our Services
Source: Google Analytics
Demographic of Audience (www.adworks.org)
1
Centennial
2
Denver
47,143
38,523
21,485
3 Aurora
5,275
4 Parker
4,512
5 Littleton
6 Highlands Ranch 4,474
2,642
7 Castle Rock
2,393
8 Lakewood
9 Colorado Springs
10 Greenwood Village
2,306
1,681
Source: Google Analytics
Economic Impact Report
7
Business Development
Relevant to business/industry
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! provides a wide variety of no-cost services to help employers meet their
recruitment goals and ensure access to a quality workforce. In PY14, ADW! listed 88,584 openings
for 2,385 employers; hosted 290 hiring events with 5,261 candidates in attendance. Over 6,100
veterans also attended hiring events in the region.
Investing in our local economy
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! has developed very strong working relationships with regional economic
developers, who know they can count on accurate labor force data and superior staffing services.
The excellent work of the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board was recognized by the
National Association of Workforce Boards in March 2015, and in May 2015, Patrick Holwell earned
the Sar Levitan Advancing the Research Agenda Award from the National Association of Workforce
Development Professionals (NAWDP), and Kelly Folks, Deputy Division Manager, was elected to the
NAWDP Board of Directors in July 2015.
Workforce Investment Works!
Ford Motor Company chose Arapahoe/Douglas Works! to provide formal testing for its Parts Distribution
Center for several Warehouse Attendant Positions. Five candidates successfully passed the tests and all
five were hired by Ford.
The Aurora Conn’s Home Plus - Aurora Distribution Center hired a total of 55 full-time, regular employees
as forklift operators, general warehouse and warehouse customer service representatives.
“Now Zynex has learned they have a much better recruiting resource than the leading online placement
service!.”
Connecting Business With Talent
Matching a
Skilled
Workforce
Economic Impact Report
9
Talent Development Programming
Talent Development programs specialize in helping people market themselves successfully with the skills
they already have, or retool their skills through training so they are marketable.
Some highlights from the table below:
• 483 Talent Development customers were placed in employment.
• Their average annual earnings were $7,630 more than those of people not using workforce centers
in job search.
• Talent Development programs put nearly $3.5 million in value-add worker earnings into the regional
economy.
Workforce Investment Works!
Diane had recently lost her job as an executive-level HR/Project Management professional when she
came to Arapahoe/Douglas Works! After working with her workforce specialist on her confidence,
resume, networking and interview skills, Diane was able to obtain a position as a Director of IT projects
making $147,000/year!
Doug’s current position was ending and he needed a full-time, sustainable IT position. He needed to
obtain additional certifications to become more marketable. During Doug’s training, he continued to
apply for jobs. Due to his certifications, he was offered a position making $15,000 more per year
than at his previous employment.
Building a
Skilled
Workforce
Economic Impact Report
11
Shaping a
Skilled
Workforce
Talent Enhancement Programming
The Talent Enhancement programs operated by Arapahoe/Douglas Works! serve to help people
receiving public assistance to become self-sufficient by entering the labor force with a liveable wage.
They then take their places as workers and taxpayers contributing to the region’s ongoing economic
vitality.
Some highlights from the table below:
• Arapahoe/Douglas Works! helped 5,605 people receiving public assistance find jobs.
• This put $128.7 million in worker earnings into the regional economy and saved taxpayers over
$2.6 million.
Workforce Investment Works!
Amy Williams started job search workshops with the RATE program. She attended the workshops and
had assistance with updating her resume. She needed daycare for her child, support with transportation
funds and interview clothing so she could apply for jobs and make it to her interviews. With the support
of Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, she started full-time employment as an Assistant Director making $20
per hour.
Economic Impact Report
13
Sector Initiative
Greater Metro Denver Healthcare Partnership/Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance (CUWA)
The Greater Metro Denver Healthcare Partnership (GMDHP) has been in operation since 2010. The
Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance (CUWA) acts as the convener for the four workforce regions
(Arapahoe/Douglas, Tri-County, Denver and Adams), key postsecondary educators and virtually all
major hospital and ambulatory care systems in metro Denver. These include Kaiser Permanente, Centura
Health, SCL Health, HealthOne, Denver Health, Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado Health
Sciences Center. Workforce development partners in PY14 included Arapahoe/Douglas Works!,
Adams Business and Workforce Center, the American Job Center Serving Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear
Creek, and Denver Office of Workforce Development.
Grant funds ran out in late 2013, but the sector business leaders, as well as other stakeholders, saw
the partnership’s tremendous value and have continued to fund its efforts, investing nearly $55,500 in
private sector funds during PY14.
For its part of the partnership, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! invested $80,000 training 20 people as
medical laboratory scientists, an occupation deemed critical by business leaders in the partnership. An
analysis of pre-training wages vs post-training wages reveals an hourly wage differential of $10.77,
which translates into a value-add for the community of $21,674 per individual. With 18 individuals
placed (90%), the aggregate difference in earnings is $390,125. The cost/benefit ratio for the
Arapahoe/Douglas Works! medical laboratory science cohort is 4.88.
While Arapahoe/Douglas Works! showed very positive results, it is important to realize that sector
partnerships are regional. Throughout the greater metro Denver region, GMDHP trained 43 people
of whom 27 were placed. The occupations in which training was done were identified by the sector
business leaders as critical and included perioperative nurse, BSN, licensed professional nurse, and
medical laboratory scientist. The aggregate value-add worker earnings were $494,869 for a total
training investment of $167,422. This yielded a cost/benefit ratio of 2.96.
Workforce Investment Works!
“The Partnership offers a neutral ground for sharing information with the employers and for gathering
information from the healthcare industry in a comprehensive and dynamic way. Workforce centers have
truly listened to the Colorado healthcare industry and have responded specifically to industry partners’
needs.” Mary Reibe, Kaiser Permanente, Chair Arapahoe/Douglas WIB
Special Populations/Programs
AARP Foundation BACK TO WORK 50+
The AARP Foundation has extended its grant to Arapahoe/Douglas Works! into PY14. This project
provides coaching sessions on career choices and job search strategies to job seekers 50 and older,
as well as training services through the Adult WIA Program. Some performance highlights:
• In calendar 2015, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! provided 704 career coaching sessions for 206
customers through the partnership with the AARP Foundation.
H1B Partnership with Lockheed Martin
Through the H1B grant, Arapahoe/Douglas Works! assisted its primary partner, Lockheed Martin in
providing training to upgrade 574 incumbent workers in skills necessary to be competitive on the latest
federal defense and space grants. Some highlights:
• The average annual salary of Lockheed workers trained through the H1B grant was $108,285
• Keeping Lockheed competitive in the federal grant arena through incumbent worker training keeps
nearly $86.8 million in worker earnings in the regional economy
Generations @ Work!
During PY15, Generations@Work served 842 customers. Services provided included job search
assistance, workshops, labor market information and vocational guidance. Of those served:
• 329 entered employment and were still working six months later.
• They had annualized earnings of $51,281, which is a value-add difference of $15,482 over
someone who did not use workforce centers in job search.
• This means Generations@Work put more than $5.1 million in value-add worker earnings into the
regional economy.
Workforce Investment Works!
Will was a long-term unemployed candidate who entered the H1-B program. He had been unemployed
for over nine months and was seeking to update his skills to make him more marketable as an IT Project
Manager. Will was able to obtain his ITIL certification and also became a certified Scrum Master
through training. In March 2015, Will obtained a position as the Director of Operations earning
$140,000 a year. This is an increase in wage of $49,000 per year from his previous job.
15
Economic Impact Report
Developing a
Skilled
Workforce
Special Populations/Programs
Youth Sector Academies
The Youth Sector Academies are an innovative way the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Board, its
Youth Council and Arapahoe/Douglas Works! combine the career needs of regional youth with skilled
worker needs in key regional sectors such as health care, information technology and hospitality.
Participants are youth between 16 and 21 years of age. In the Academies, they receive both classroom
and hands-on training that results in them earning industry recognized credentials. After participating,
some go to work and others go on to other postsecondary training, which has a significant positive
effect on potential lifetime earnings.
Business participants give back to the community and at the same time educate and attract bright young
people to sector opportunities.
Some highlights:
• 13 regional youth are currently participating in the Tuliva Software Development Boot Camp in
support of the TEC-P sector partnership.
- Six graduated and are currently pursuing exams leading to industry recognized credentials.
- When certified, the six completers are expected to enter Colorado Technical Association
apprenticeships at an average of $25/hour
• 12 youth participated in the Hospitality Academy, which serves establishments that provide food
and lodging
- 10 entered employment at an average hourly wage of $9.95.
- One stayed in high school, and five went on to postsecondary training.
- Employers range from hotels and delis to retirement homes.
• 14 youth participated in the 2 cohorts of the Construction Academy; of these, 100% were successful.
- 6 entered employment at an average of $12.83 per hour
- One remained in high school.
Economic Impact Report
17
Quintiles
The Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Board’s Opportunity Works Taskforce is working with Arapahoe/
Douglas Works! to improve wage outcomes, particularly for those customers with barriers to successful
employment. This is measured by using income quintiles. In the United States, both households and
families are divided by income into five quintiles; a quintile represents 20% of the population.
The largest gain in hourly wage was for the Parents to Work program, which helps noncustodial parents
in arrears on child support payments to find work so they can meet their family financial responsibility.
The largest loss was in the MATCH program which is the mechanism for providing subsidized on-thejob training (OJT) serving all programs. The wage moved down from $20.67 per hour to $16.76 in
PY14. This reflects a greater number of OJTs being done for barriered populations such as TANF, EF
and PTW. In this light, note the MATCH salary is $4 to $5 per hour more than unsubsidized placements
in those programs.
The modest living standard for one adult in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties is $28,829/year or
$13.86/hour.
PY14 Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Average Program Wages
H1-B
$52.06
WIA
Dislocated
Worker
$24.53
Wagner
Peyser
$18.44
WIA
Adult
$17.92
MATCH
$16.76
Top Quintile
(>$57.32/hr)
4th Quintile
($36.81-$57.31/hr)
3rd Quintile
($23.95-$36.80/hr)
BACK TO
WORK 50+
$17.64
Parents
to Work
$12.33
TANF
$11.86
Employment
First
$10.94
WIA
Youth
$9.65
2nd Quintile
($13.37-$23.94/hr)
1st Quintile
(<$13.36hr)
Region Demographics
Per Capita Personal Income
Population
314,638
Douglas County
618,821
Arapahoe County
2,754,258
Metro Denver Region
$34,805
$44,704
Arapahoe Region
Douglas County
$35,256
Metro Denver Region
Households
Population 16 Years and Over
235,388
Douglas County
483,330
Arapahoe County
2,166,118
Arapahoe County Douglas County Metro Denver Region
232,763 108,135
1,054,371
Metro Denver Region
Poverty Rate
Arapahoe
11.4%
Douglas
4.0%
Metro Denver
10.8%
Median Household Income
$65,327
Arapahoe County
$103,226
Douglas County
$66,870
Metro Denver Region
Economic Impact Report
19
A E R O S PAC E
Aerospace employs 17,077 people in 976 establishments. Expected to grow 10.4% by 2020.
AV I AT I O N
Aviation employs 16,418 people in 183 establishments. Expected to grow 8.3% by 2020.
BIOSCIENCE
Bioscience employs 10,876 people in 761 establishments. Expected to grow 13.1% by 2020. The bioscience industry supports over 35,782
in metro Denver.
B ROA DBA N D
Broadband, which includes wired and wireless telecommunications and broadcast cable, employs 22,427 people in 401 establishments.
Expected to experience significant growth in the next decade due to increasing demand for ‘internet of things’ and cloud technology. The
broadband industry supports over 127,161 jobs in metro Denver.
CONSTRUCTION
Arapahoe/Douglas Targeted Industries
Construction employ 106,342 people in 7,461 establishments. Expected to grow 3.9% by 2020. Supports over 200,986 jobs in metro
Denver.
The aerospace industry supports over 56,866 jobs in metro Denver.
Top occupations:
• Business & Operations Specialists – 735
• Aerospace Engineers – 717
• Mechanical Engineers – 615
• Management Analyst – 599
-AerospaceMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$38.19
-AviationMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$27.58
The aviation industry supports over 44,657 jobs in metro Denver.
Top occupations:
• Airline pilots, Co-pilots & Flight Engineers – 3,023
• Flight Attendants – 2,970
• Reservation & Transportation Agents – 1,730
•
Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians – 890
Top occupations:
• Dental Laboratory Technicians – 447
• Sales Reps, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Except Scientific & Technical – 446
• Sales Reps, Wholesale & Manufacturing, Scientific & Technical – 401
• Customer Service Representatives – 329
-BioscienceMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$27.78
Top occupations:
• Telecommunication Equipment Installers & Repairers – 2,419
• Customer Service Representative – 2,293
• Sales Representatives, Services – 2,168
ENGINEERING
&REL ATED
• Business Operations Specialists – 1,642
-BroadbandMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$33.73
Top occupations:
• Construction Laborers - 13,722
• Carpenters – 10,756
• Electricians – 8,914
• First-Line Supervisors – 6,890
-ConstructionMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$23.04
Engineering & related services employ 23,602 people in 1,506 establishments. Expected to grow 15.2% by 2019. Supports over 69,862
jobs in metro Denver.
Top occupations:
• Civil engineers - 2,916
• Mechanical engineers – 1,725
• Electrical Engineers – 985
• Electrical Managers – 771
-Engineering & RelatedMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
$39.91
FINANCE&
INSURANCE
HEALTHCARE
Healthcare employs 138,287 people in 6,071 establishments. Expected to grow 15.9% by 2020. Supports over 322,209 jobs in metro
Denver.
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality employs 160,805 people in 6,990 establishments. Expected to grow 10.9% by 2020. Supports over 656,084 jobs in metro
Denver.
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Information Technology employs 47,942 people in 5,349 establishments. Expected to grow 12.3% by 2020. Supports nearly 162,044 jobs
in metro Denver
MANUFACTURING
Finance & Insurance Services employs 29,562 people in 1,872 establishments. Expected to grow 4.5% by 2020. Supports 79,226 jobs
in metro Denver
Top occupations:
• Tellers – 3,620
• Loan Officers – 3,037
-Finance & InsuranceMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
• Customer Service Representatives – 2,560
• Securities, Commodities, Financial Services Sales – 2,139
$29.95
Top occupations:
• Registered Nurses – 22,231
• Nursing Assistants – 8,668
-HealthcareMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
• Home Health Aides – 5,155
• Medical Assistants – 5,155
$26.48
Top occupations:
• Combined Food prep & Serving Workers, Including Fast Food – 33,099
• Waiters & Waitresses – 27,448
-HospitalityMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
• Cooks, Restaurant – 12,815
• First Line Supervisors – 6,905
$13.53
Top occupations:
• Software Developers, Applications – 8,591
• Software Developers, Systems – 3,491
• Computer System Analysts – 3,082
-Information TechnologyMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
• User Support Specialists – 2,910
$38.38
Manufacturing employs 69,320 people in 2,512 establishments. Expected to experience significant growth in the next decade. The
manufacturing industry supports over 768,759 jobs in metro Denver.
Top occupations:
• Team Assemblers – 2,223
• Sales Representatives, Manufacturing, Except Technical & Scientific Products – 2,136
• First Line Supervisors – 1,858
• General & Operations Managers – 1,555
-ManufacturingMedian hourly wage for
the top 20 occupations
Economic Impact Report
$22.92
21
The difference in workforce center customer earnings tells the story!
$15,927
more per
year
The average earnings of persons
using Arapahoe/Douglas Works!
to find work between July 1, 2014
and June 30, 2015
$51,726
People using Arapahoe/Douglas Works! in their job search earned
an average of $15,927 more per year than those who did not
The average annual wage of persons
NOT using a workforce center in
their job search
$35,799
There’s more to the story...
Of the
23,848
$393.12
Cost per customer
Unique customers served
23,397
customers who
For every dollar spent
$30.59
11.76
Number of months to
found work
goes back into the community
were still working
after six months
pay back taxpayers
18,009
What a $286.8 million difference in earnings means
in consumer spending for the region...
Housing, Healthcare
and Transportation
Food, Apparel
and Services
Investments and
Insurance
Entertainment and
Personal Care
$170.4
$45.9
$21.6
$17.7
million
million
million
million
Workforce Investment Works!
Brian was a long-term unemployed jobseeker
seeking assistance with IT and Project
Management trianing to become more
marketable. With the help of A/D Works!,
Brian obtained his SAFE Program Consultant
Certification and was offered a position as a
Senior Project Manager earning $65/hour.
Building a
Skilled
Workforce
Skilled
Workforce
Skilled
Workforce
Diane had recently lost her job as an executivelevel HR/Project Management professional
when she came to A/D Works!. After
working with her workforce specialist on
her resume, networking and interview
skills, Diane was able to obtain a position as
a Director of IT projects making $147,000/year.
Frances came into the WIA Youth Program as an
inconsistently employed, out-of-school youth
who was the custodial parent of his 7 month
old son. He wanted assistance in obtaining
his CDL license so he could support his son.
Shortly after obtaining his CDL license, he
received a job offer earning $20.68/hour.
ReEngaging a
Connecting a
Developing a
Skilled
Workforce
Amy started job search workshops with the
RATE program and received assistance with
updating her resume as well as daycare and
transportation assistance.With the
support of Arapahoe/Douglas Works!,
she started full-time employment as an
Assistant Director making $20 per hour.
Economic Impact Report
23
Connecting Talent to Opportunity
Served Over
Listed
Placed
Including
2,385
88,584
23,397
2,093
Local Businesses
Job Openings
Applicants in Jobs
Veterans
Bridging Business with Talent
Number of Hiring Events
Hosted
Number of Applicants
Screened & Presented to
Businesses in Key Industries
290
5,261
Staffing Solutions
Education
& Skills
Assessment
Services
Talent
Recruitment
&
Aquisition
Training
Assistance
Workforce
Intelligence
Access to Higher Skilled and Educated Workforce
elors or Above
Bach
ears of College
1-3 Y
h School Diploma
Hig
Candidates
Candidates
Candidates
13,624
13,437
16,511
Occupational Family
Labor Supply & Demand
Job Openings
Qualified Candidates
Production &
Transportation
Management, Business,
Finance & Arts
12,310
26,934
43,982
49,159
Sales & Office
Service
Natural Resources,
Construction & Maintenance
56,770
96,439
86,818
89,506
10,830
24,461
Workforce Investment Works!
Economic Impact Report
25
Workforce Development Board Membership
Evan Abbott
Mountain States Employers Council
Matt Cohrs
City of Greenwood Village
Scott Van Ramshorst
American Family
Communities, LLC
Andrea Amonick
City of Aurora
Andrew Bercich,
WDB Chair
Comcast
Ashley Walker
The Center for Work
Ethic Development
Fannie Stokes
Bass ProShops
Outdoor World
Client Express
Marketing
Jason Wardrip
CO Building & Construction
Trades Council
Commissioner
Nancy Jackson
Arapahoe County
Urban Workforce
Alliance
Mary Riebe
Kevin Hougen
Past Chair
Past Chair
Kaiser Permanente Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Rahim Saafir
Marriott Hotel & Resorts
Douglas Melphy
Painters & Allied
Trades
Jennifer Carleton
Kelly Services
Che Yi
American Fidelity
Administrative Service, LLC
Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven
Community College of Aurora
Judy Emery
Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance
Colorado
Lynn Myers
Denver South Economic
Development Partnership
Jennifer Bellmire
24-7 Intouch
Judy Taylor
Client Express Marketing
Dr. Diana Doyle
Arapahoe Community College
Susan Rogers
Vice Chair
thresholdHR
Commissioner
Dave Weaver
Douglas County
William Dowling
CDLE
Peter Hancock
Aerotek
Lacey Golonka
Xcel Energy
Mame Fuhrman
Goodwill Industries of Denver
Sandra Wagner
AARP Foundation
Mimi Leonard
Littleton Public Schools
Leah Bullinger
Charles Schwab
Joshua Evans
The Learning Source
John Fleck
Colorado Sheet Metal Workers
Joint Apprenticeship and Training Institute
Cathy Kohl
Dept of Human Services
Devision of Voc Rehab
Cheryl Ternes
Arapahoe County
Human Services
Don Klemme
Arapahoe County
Kimberly Ardo-Eisenbeis
Core-Mark Denver
Workforce Center Locations
Centennial - Regional Workforce Center
Lima Plaza Campus
6974 S. Lima Street
Centennial, CO 80112
Ph: 303.636.1160
Fax: 303.636.1250
TTY: 303.636.1207
Aurora Workforce Center
Altura Plaza
15400 E. 14th Place, Ground Level
Aurora, CO 80011
Ph: 303.636.2014
Castle Rock Workforce Center
Located in the Philip S. Miller Library
100 S. Wilcox Street, Suite 198
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Ph: 720.733.4321
Fax: 720.733.4324
CentrePoint - Aurora Satellite Workforce Center
Customers of Arapahoe County Parents to Work!
Program only
CentrePoint Plaza
14980 East Alameda Drive
Aurora, CO 80012
Economic Impact Report
27
Glossary of Terms
Aggregate Earnings Differential
The average annual earnings of people who used Arapahoe/Douglas Works! minus the
average annual earnings of people who did not use a workforce center times the number
of people placed in jobs and still working six months later. Also called Economic Impact
Career Pathway
The career pathway tool helps job seekers advance in their careers through a combination
of training options. Using the tool, job seekers can plot a course of advancement in key
regional industries.
Cost/Benefit Ratio
Aggregate earnings differential divided by total public monies spent by Arapahoe/
Douglas Works!
Economic Impact
The average annual earnings of people who used Arapahoe/Douglas Works! minus the
average annual earnings of people who did not use a workforce center times the number
of people placed in jobs and still working six months later. Also may be called Aggregate
Earnings Differential.
Employment First
Program helping SNAP (formerly food stamp) recipients find employment as rapidly as
possible.
Labor Market Information
The body of information that deals with the functioning of labor markets and the
determination of the demand for and supply of labor. It includes, but is not limited to,
such key factors as changes in the level and/or composition of economic activity, the
population, employment and unemployment, income and earnings, wage rates, and
fringe benefits.
Talent Enhancement Programs
Poverty prevention programs designed to reduce social spending by putting recipients to
work as quickly as possible.
Talent Placement Programs
These programs are generally operated under the Wagner-Peyser Act, and include labor
exchange and direct services to employers, also called business outreach. Services to job
seekers include workshops, the Generations@Work resource area, the general resources
area, direct services from the applicant services team, referral to other programs or
resources and veterans services.
TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families)/Colorado Works
Colorado Works is the job search portion of the TANF program. TANF recipients generally
must participate in a work related activity to continue to receive benefits. Arapahoe/
Douglas Works! offers the R.A.T.E. Program, which puts participating TANF recipients to
work in an average of 56.9 days.
Training Pipeline
Public and private educators who offer training in occupations to match industry sector
need. Training can be classroom, apprenticeship or on-the-job.
Vocational Guidance
The provision of information, suggestions, and advice through discussion with individuals
who are considering a geographical or vocational choice or change, relating to their
career decision.
Wagner-Peyser Act
Federal legislation designed to facilitate a match between open jobs and qualified job
seekers; now embedded in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Parents to Work
A program that helps non-custodial parents who owe child support payments enter
employment and begin paying child support as quickly as possible.
Workforce Board
Also known as a Workforce Investment Board, or WIB, is a body of local business
and community leaders assembled to guide and oversee federally funded workforce
development strategies and operations in a region.
Return on Public Investment
The number of months to pay back taxpayers. Return on public investment is calculated
against aggregate earnings differential using known average effective U.S. income tax
rate for middle quintile earners.
Workforce Center
An office of a regional entity that operates public workforce development programming
in a federally designated region. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! has one main and three
satellite workforce centers that serve clientele throughout Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
Savings to Taxpayers
Estimated amount of social spending outlays saved as a result of a customer finding
a job through Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Social spending outlays include Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
(SNAP, formerly known as food stamps).
Workforce Development
Workforce development or workforce development system is the term used to generally
refer to the network of One-Stop Career Centers or Workforce Centers funded and
operated under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). Workforce development
and/or training refers to community efforts to train individuals for specific jobs or
industries. Training may cover everything from soft skills (work ethic, attitude, getting to
work on time) to basic skills (literacy, numeracy) to specific job skills (carpentry or web site
development). Community workforce efforts may also include job placement assistance,
resumé writing, interview skills, and retention services such as legal advice and child
care, that help people stay in a job once placed there. The goal of workforce training
programs is to improve the quality and skill sets of individuals, to place them in jobs, and
help businesses find an employee base in line with their needs. A good workforce training
program, therefore, serves two customers: individuals and businesses.
Sector
An industry or group of industries that perform a particular function. For example, the
health care sector includes hospitals, ambulatory care centers and nursing centers.
Sector Strategy
A group of business leaders who act cooperatively in managing their industry’s skilled
labor needs. This includes systematic training in critical occupations, and working with
post-secondary educational institutions to ensure a steady supply of skilled labor is in the
training pipeline to meet projected labor force needs.
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
Formerly known as food stamps, consists of a stipend given families based on income
and family size for the purpose of purchasing food.
Talent Development Programs
These programs are operated under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and include
services to eligible adults, dislocated workers and youth. Services may include on-the-job
training or occupation-related classroom training and intensive job search.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or 1998
Federal legislation designed to provide universal access to Americans needing job
training or other career services designed to lead to employment.
Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act of 1998, the WagnerPeyser Act of 1933, and the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973. WIOA preserves the nation’s current program infrastructure allowing continuity
in the delivery of federally funded employment services, workforce development, basic
education for adults, and vocational rehabilitation activities for people with disabilities.
Economic Impact Report
29
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