Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development [LCEWD] staff, and its director, Mark Johnston were recognized by the Board of Larimer County Commissioners for receiving an Excellence in Workforce Award from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment [CDLE]. 

Johnston and LCEWD were recognized for their work in the 2024 Manufacturing Summer Section Internship Program, a public-private partnership that achieved record success this year. LCEWD received over 300 applications, with 12 selected to participate in the program. Fiberlok Technologies,  a business participating in the program, was also recognized by CDLE for commitment and investment with one of the interns in the program who was ultimately hired into a permanent position with Fiberlok.

Fiberlok was one of twelve local companies selected to participate in LCEWD’s Summer Internship Program. The program connects top young talent with top manufacturing businesses in Northern Colorado.

“This is a great opportunity and it’s really exciting when people get placed in these job opportunities. You’re not introduced to very many jobs when you are a young person, so you kinda know what your parents do, and maybe what your neighbors do, and that’s about it. There’s so many great jobs out there and so getting young people exposure to those possibilities is remarkable,” said Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens.

“Internships are critical. It can strengthen someone’s interest to see if there is a path forward while making sure they don’t head down the wrong pathway,” said Larimer County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally.

LCEWD has collaborated successfully in Northern Colorado with a regional approach to employment, in many business sectors, including Weld County and even Boulder County. “There’s real authentic regionalism happening at a foundational level. We have six sectors, health care, manufacturing, construction, skilled trade, hospitality and nonprofits. There’s also some development of financial as well. These partnerships are business-led, and I think that’s key,” said LCEWD Director Mark Johnston.

Interest in non-traditional employment roles like women in the construction industry, and more men pursuing an interest in health care such as nursing, for example, have risen. “These business partnerships are also at the forefront of doing that,” said Johnston.