By Becca Tonn, Pikes Peak Workforce Center
If you drive through Southern Colorado with the optimistic lens of a tourist, you’ll see signs of a vibrant economy. Every bulldozer rearranging mountains of dirt showcases our labor force in action. Despite recent spates of layoffs, in-demand industries with pockets of growth still shape regional employment opportunities.
Booming Demand in Healthcare
In Pueblo, Teller County and the San Luis Valley, demand for healthcare services has driven growth of new medical facilities, with increased need for medical technicians, administrative support and greater availability of telemedicine, especially in rural communities.
Skilled Trades Drive Regional Growth
It’s nearly impossible to drive in El Paso County without seeing cranes, not to mention massive earth-moving tractors. Demand is so high, industry can scarcely keep up with hiring carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Teller County also needs such workers.
“The trades and service industries are the backbone of Teller County’s economy, and right now, the demand for skilled workers has never been higher,” says Deb Miller, president of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses in our community are looking for dedicated professionals to fill essential roles, offering competitive wages, stability and growth opportunities.”
Tech & Cybersecurity Skills Needed
Though not obvious at first glance, nearly every industry needs IT skills—much of this is behind the scenes to support infrastructure, such as for higher education, hospitals and correctional facilities. There are also opportunities with industries more directly tied to cybersecurity/technology.
Home to five major military installations, Colorado Springs remains a high-demand city for defense-related engineers. Pueblo is also experiencing growth in the aerospace industry. Alamosa and Trinidad could hire more professionals in agriculture technology and renewable energy infrastructure, respectively.
Tourism Boosts Employment Needs
Southern Colorado remains a gorgeous place to live, work and play — visitors can’t stay away from the region’s natural beauty.
Immediate proximity to Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain, meansTeller County needs to hire workers in attractions, lodging, casinos and the service industry.
Likewise, Fremont County’s Arkansas River continues to draw visitors to the Cañon City area, which has seen an uptick in rafting, kayaking and other outdoor recreation and tourism.
In addition, the southwest region, including Archuleta, La Plata and Montezuma counties, remains in need of workers for outdoor-industry retail and tourism guides. With visitors driving demand, the City of Trinidad recently received a $40,000 grant for a tourism website redesign, while Huerfano County received nearly $30,000 to create films to highlight its scenic attractions, according to KOAA News 5.
Last fall, Garden of the Gods Park landed on TripSavvy’s “The 12 Most Beautiful Places in Colorado,” yet the region continues to struggle to hire hospitality workers.
Shift Toward Skills-Based Hiring
Lately, businesses have trended toward skills-based hiring and Learner Employment Records (LERs) — and, actually, the two go hand in hand.
An LER is a transportable digital wallet, per se, maintaining all your education, skills and employment history in one shareable repository, which makes it easier to showcase transferable skills when transitioning, say, from a military or federal career to the corporate world.
Bridging the Regional Skills Gap
Statistically, throughout Southern Colorado, there is one job available per each person looking for work. Although promising, a significant skills gap remains, with numerous workers at entry level and senior level — and a large gap in the middle. People need skills to move up, but training can be expensive for job seekers, and employers looking to upskill their staff.
Looking Ahead
As we’ve seen, Southern Colorado continues to see growth across multiple industries.
Yet, moving forward, collaborative training, credentialing and digital-skills initiatives will become essential to meet regional workforce needs and sustain economic growth. As they say, a rising tide lifts all ships.
