Program Description

Program/Practice Description: The Denver Workforce Center is located at DIA and seeks to connect those with little work experience and multiple barriers to work with employment opportunities at DIA. The Office of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development works in partnership with the Community College of Denver's Corporate Training Center (Performance Solutions), Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, DIA, and employers to provide training in:

• Workplace ESL
• Cash handling
• Customer service
• Intercultural communication
• DIA security badge test preparation training

The center also offers a certificate program in workplace ESL, which is a 60-hour training over 12 weeks funded by a joint effort between the City and County of Denver and the Colorado Department of Education. The program is taught by instructors from the Spring Institute and the two areas of focus for this curriculum are airport customer service and workplace communication.

Innovations and Results: This unique initiative was designed to address the airport employers continuing need for qualified and competent employees to fill entry-level and mid-level management positions. Simultaneously, it was designed to meet job seeker needs for career guidance and training in order to obtain jobs that offer growth and sustainable incomes. This initiative has shown significant results and improvement in workers skills. Trainings and classes have raised self-esteem, morale, and productivity of entry-level workers. Additionally, businesses have seen revenue increases resulting from their employees ability to provide better customer service.