Morgan County has a large pool of skilled workers from which new employers could draw, according to a Labor Force Study released by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in August 2003. See numbers at right.

The results of the Northeast Colorado Labor Study provide a more accurate measurement of the area's unemployment situation by going beyond county borders and including the surrounding areas from which potential employers could expect to draw employees.

Wages by occupations can be found on the web site of the
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Customized Job Training
Morgan Community College is a tremendous asset in Morgan County, offering a variety of degree programs, an excellent distance learning network, and a well-developed customized business training program. MCC offers customized training to meet the needs for an increasingly specialized workforce and has been pro-active in helping businesses take advantage of state and federal training programs.

On behalf of a qualified company, Morgan Community College will submit a grant application to the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade requesting up to $800 per eligible trainee. These training funds are available through the Colorado FIRST/Existing Industry Customized Job Training Program, a fast track, industrial training program designed to help train full-time workers for new or expanding Colorado companies. The program is funded through state appropriations and is highly flexible to meet specific company training needs. Training would be provided through Morgan Community College and, with assistance from the company, MCC would select trainees and instructors, determine course content, training schedules and an appropriate training site. In many cases, participating companies have elected to conduct the training at their facilities to simulate actual work conditions.

On-the-Job Training
In addition, the Fort Morgan Workforce Center can access funds for on-the-job training for eligible employees hired by a new or expanding company. These funds could be used to pay 50% of employees' salaries during the training period. This program is funded through the federal Workforce Investment Act.

• Potential Workforce: 6,538


• 1,560 youth


• 3,911 people looking for a different job


• Customized Job Training


• On-the-Job Training