In Arvada and Jefferson / Adams Counties – and throughout the world – a lack of talent impedes the ability of employers to serve their customers/clients – and threatens the ability of employers to survive and thrive.  An inadequate talent pool can erode employer margins as they pay more for scarce talent, and it can slow production, degrade quality and disrupt supply chains. When employers struggle, the regional economy struggles, and incomes and our standard of living decline.

Employer demand continuously outpaces the supply of qualified workers; nationwide in February 2022, there were only 58 unemployed workers for every 100 job openings; in Arvada in February 2022, there were 3,126 open jobs listed on Indeed alone, and a low 3.7% unemployment rate; various factors are impacting the supply of available talent

• Employee resignations/turnover
• Declining number of women in the workforce
• Declining births and fertility rates
• Declining population growth

Workers don’t have the skills needed by many primary employers

Skills gap: 78% of hiring managers say a skills gap persists across industries

Uneven educational outcomes (high school graduation rates) / workforce preparedness

Barriers.: As a region, we are not progressing fast enough in knocking down barriers to talent availability. See subsequent workforce housing and childcare sections for details on these barriers

Jefferson / Adams Counties do not have a coordinated talent/workforce development effort to serve businesses and workers; businesses, non-profits, and schools work in silos leading to talent gaps and negatively impacting businesses and job seekers.