Granby, Colorado: Locals and seasonal employees searching for a summer job or a new career opportunity can get a leg up on the competition by attending the upcoming Career and Job Fair at Snow Mountain Ranch on March 6th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Sponsored by the YMCA and the Grand County Economic Development Department, this event will feature representatives from Winter Park Resort, C Lazy U Guest Ranch, Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Resort and Spa, Granby Ranch, Colorado Timber Resources, Middle Park Medical Center, and the Roofing Company. Attendees are encouraged to bring an open mind, professional attire and a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to the event.
A product of local employers working together to grow talent in the region, this event is the first step in keeping talent in the county. As part of the county’s economic resurgence and resiliency action project, human resource directors came together for this initiative. “Our goal is to grow a solid base of skilled workers in the region,” explains Michael Parmenter, Operations Manager at Colorado Timber Resources. Sky Foulkes, CEO at Winter Park Resort, reaffirms this sentiment, “As a collaborative unit, it is easier to speak as one voice as we promote Grand County as a special place to live, work, and play.”
Attendees can expect to find job opportunities in the outdoor and tourism industry, manufacturing, and the medical field. As Lizbeth Nabhan, Human Resources Manager at C Lazy U Guest Ranch explains, “Our goal is to ensure that we have a permanent labor pool that we can keep employed year round!” The idea is that a strong team member at Winter Park Resort could find employment at one of the guest ranches in the summer, and then return to the resort during the winter season.
For those seeking year-round employment, Mountain Park Medical Center, Colorado Timber Resources, and the Roofing Company will be looking to fill entry-level, full-time positions. “We will be offering on-site screening interviews to those who have a desire to work for one of the largest employers in the region,” states Jason Bryan, Chief Human Resource Officer at Middle Park Medical Center. In these larger businesses, getting a foot in the door can often lead to great things. All of these employers offer on-the-job training or scholarships that can further an employee’s education.
CAREER FAIR FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Middle Park High School will bus students to the Career Fair from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Scott Springston, Executive Director of Grand County Higher Education, is one of the chief drivers of this event. “The career fair represents one aspect towards getting students exposed to the job opportunities in the valley,” he states.
Students will visit employer booths and brush up on their interview and presentation skills. As Jason Bryne of the Medical Center explains, “Students may have an idea of what a particular job looks like, and the earlier they start down that path with an internship or summer job, the sooner they can make a decision about their future. Students are not always well-prepared for job interviews. If we can expose them to this process the better prepared they will become.”
From 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, each business will provide a short presentation on the skills that are needed to be employed in their respective field. These presentations are sure to engage the young talent and help them find their future path. In the case of Colorado Timber Resources, a young employee, Jacob Lange, will talk about his experience transitioning from a dude ranch to a manufacturing position in the valley. Meanwhile, C Lazy U Guest Ranch will show local students what it takes to provide an exceptional guest experience. As Lizbeth Nabhan explains, “We love the energy of younger employees and we want them to know about the opportunities that are available in this field.” Sky Foulkes, from Winter Park Resort, wants students to learn that “whether it is marketing, technology, retail, food service, ski school, or lodging, there are many ways to find your calling in this industry.”
Springston hopes that, “Students will gain a high level view of what a job entails, the training and schooling that is needed for a job, and what the future growth looks like in the different fields being represented.”
High school students who want to attend the Career Fair should sign up at Middle Park High School. The Job Fair will open to the public at 5:30 PM and employers will be available until 7:00 PM that evening.
Do not miss this opportunity to become a year-round member of the Grand County workforce.
[About Grand County Economic Development:The Grand County Economic Development Department (GCED) works with businesses throughout the region to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration. Working with local employers, the GCED has established an advisory committee that is comprised of a diverse group of 12 business representatives from 3 districts. Their goal is to strengthen the county workforce, develop local talent, provide affordable housing opportunities and to elevate the quality of life for those who live in the county. For more information please visit www.grandforbusiness.com or follow us on Facebook @grandforbusiness ]