DO YOU NEED HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS
Register your employees for the WCCA Heavy Equipment Operators Apprenticeship program.
Registration begins October 12, 2021 thru December 1, 2021
Classes will start January 2022.
This Colorado Department of Labor approved apprentice program will cover classroom and on the job training.
Classroom education can be in person or virtual. All on the job training done on employer job sites. The on the job training will meet CDOT OJT requirements.
A Class for Traffic Control Supervisor(TCS) has been scheduled for Dec. 16 & 17. Classes subject to Availability and approved through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Rates for WCCA members, Non-Members and Municipalities are available.
COVID PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED
MAXIMUM 10 STUDENTS PER CLASS.
For more information on Flagger Classes or TCS Classes click button below or call WCCA office at 970-245-1384
Here is your chance to learn of the new updates in contractor’s tools in Mesa County!
The Mesa County Building & Planning Department and the GJ Fire Department (tentative) are building better relations with the area construction related businesses! Join the Home Builders Association of NW Colorado (HBA), The Grand Junction Area Chamber (GJACC), and Western Colorado Contractors Association (WCCA) for an opportunity to learn about new programs to help contractors and to meet the inspectors, planners and staff of the MCBD and the GJ Fire Department.
Event is open to all members at no charge! Reservations required to anticipate attendance.
To register, CLICK HERE!
For more information, call 970-245-1384
It was a GREAT Day a the WCCA Trap Shoot!!
There was a total of 19 teams that participated and $1000.00 was raised for the 4H Shooting Sports. Following the 2021 WCCA Trap Shoot, members enjoyed the hugely successful “After Party” held at the Ale House in Grand Junction. WCCA gave away a pheasant hunt from the Black Wing & Clay Shooting Club, a shotgun, and more.
Results:
WCCA would like to give a big thank you to all of our sponsors and all who participated. It would not be possible without all of you!!
In June of 2021, eight of the top Construction Associations in Colorado, including the Western Colorado Contractors Association, urged the Colorado Governor to have Colorado be one of several states to opt out of federal unemployment benefit programs provided by the federal government that were set to expire on September 6. The construction industry is currently short thousands of employees across the state and most businesses provide benefits that are well beyond a weekly paycheck including health insurance, 401k matching, long term and short term disability benefits, training, educational opportunities, internship programs and more. The construction industry needs workers. Without workers in the industry, the costs of construction and construction related business will increase and have unintended consequences on the economies in Western Colorado and across the state. On July 13, 2021 the Governor’s Office responded:
Governor Polis responded in an email to the associations:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our state’s economy and workforce, as there are currently more people unemployed than existing available jobs. We are committed to monitoring the data about unemployment assistance and Colorado’s road to economic recovery following the pandemic.
Colorado’s unemployment rate is an estimated 6.2% as of May 2021, which is half of what the unemployment rate was this time last year. As part of the Colorado Comeback and Reemploy Colorado initiatives, the Governor has taken several steps to support Coloradans who are currently unemployed transition back into the workforce. The Governor signed an executive order establishing the Colorado Jumpstart Program that provided $1,200 to $1,600 to unemployed citizens that entered full time employment between May 16th and June 26th of this year. This program not only stimulated the economy and incentivized people back into the workforce but also supported Coloradans that have been financially affected by the pandemic. Colorado was one of the earliest states to reinstate requirements that unemployed Coloradans must be actively searching for a job while receiving unemployment benefits, which was reinstated in February of 2021. Our goal is to remove any barrier preventing Coloradans who feel safe and healthy from returning to the workforce. Please see below for virtual hiring events, helpful workshops, and job support provided by Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment to support those seeking employment.
The Polis administration continues to monitor our economic recovery, and will keep working towards balancing the needs of our economy with the legitimate hardships that continue to impact our most vulnerable citizens. Ending the federal unemployment benefits now would be premature, and would cause unnecessary suffering for thousands of Coloradans who depend on unemployment to pay for food, housing, and utilities.
In addition to actions taken at the state level, the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, providing $3.8 billion to assist the State of Colorado on its road to economic recovery by addressing major impacts the coronavirus has had on both businesses and households. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 establishes that those who are unemployed are eligible for up to 29 weeks of stimulus payments, and the State of Colorado estimates that there will not be a gap in benefits for prior claimants who desperately need assistance to get back on their feet following the pandemic. $40 million of the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will be allocated to small businesses, which is outlined in SB21-291 signed into Colorado law on June 21 of this year.
Resources:
Regardless of the outcome of most recent efforts, the Associations in Colorado will continue to work collectively to provide opportunities to try and fill the workforce void including education, future workforce efforts, and information that would benefit employers. If you have questions regarding the current Unemployment benefits provided by the state, please refer to the links provided by the Governor’s office. You may also contact your local and state representatives or contact your local association to express any concerns.
With increased reports of COVID breakout in Western Slope communities, Western Colorado Contractors Association, CDOT, Mesa County Health Department, CDHPE and Colorado 811 are providing an opportunity for employees to choose to get their COVID 19 Vaccination. Employees may get their Vaccine by choice and help slow the spread of COVID 19 amongst workplaces. Employers are encouraged to grant employees time on July 16 to visit the Colorado Mobile Covid Vaccination Unit between 8am and 5pm at 2405 Patterson Road- Grand Junction (Previously Sutherlands). The Mobile unit will return 3 week after for any follow up vaccinations.
OPEN TO ALL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKERS in Mesa County. Residents can get a COVID-19 vaccine free of charge and without an appointment. No photo ID or insurance required. Mobile clinic will return in 3 weeks for 2nd shot. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. If you would like an industry day for your area or business, contact your county’s Public Health Department for more information.
✓ LOWER the risk of employment time loss from illness
✓ LOWER risk of workplace/site outbreaks
✓ INCREASE workplace safety with higher percentage of vaccinated employees
More information on this event or other mobile vaccination events visit https://health.mesacounty.us/
