In Mesa County, we believe workforce development is not about assumptions — it’s about intention. That’s why the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, through our CareerLink initiative, is leading a region-wide effort to map our workforce development ecosystem. This intentional work, supported by a broad coalition of partners including the Fruita and Palisade Chambers, Colorado Mesa University, CMU Tech, School District 51, the Mesa County Workforce Center, SHRM Western Colorado, and others, aims to better understand who is doing what, what’s needed, and where the gaps lie.
Together, we are working to strengthen how we coordinate services, deploy resources, and ultimately serve both our local businesses and job seekers more effectively. With limited resources and growing workforce demands, we must be strategic — not just passionate — about how we respond to the needs of our community.
Why does this matter you may be asking? This is more than a data collection project. It’s a community-driven initiative to ensure:
- Programs are aligned with real needs.
- Partners can focus on what they do best.
- Collaboration fills gaps rather than duplicates efforts.
- Resources are responsive, efficient, and accessible.
T0 do this right, we’re gathering input from the three groups who experience and shape the workforce system every day:
- Workforce Development Partners
- Employers
- Job Seekers / Talent
These three surveys — launched in the Spring and running through the Fall — are our tool to build a shared map of Mesa County’s workforce development landscape.
For Workforce Development Partners
If your organization offers education, training, job placement, career guidance, or business support, we want to hear from you. This survey is designed to better understand:
- Who is serving whom
- Where coordination is working
- What duplication or service gaps may exist
Your insight will directly influence how we streamline communication, improve collaboration, and elevate the collective impact of our workforce system.
For Employers
As the primary drivers of economic growth, your needs are the compass for this work. Whether you’re facing challenges with hiring, retention, skills gaps, or finding relevant training programs — your feedback ensures workforce investments are targeted and useful.
Let us know:
- What workforce services you use (or don’t)
- What support you need
- What’s missing from the current system
For Job Seekers and Talent
Whether you’re looking for your first job, building your skills, or making a career pivot — your experience matters. This survey will help us learn:
- What resources helped you
- What’s been missing or hard to find
- How we can make support services more visible and effective
We’re building a system where individuals — no matter their path — feel supported, informed, and empowered.
