Skillful-West End was launched as a pilot project after recognizing the need to try and curb job losses caused by the closure of both the New Horizon Mine and Tri-State power plant. The main initiative is to serve job seekers and employers throughout Norwood, Redvale, Nucla, Naturita and Paradox and match skilled workers (or help job-seekers obtain skills) to meet the needs of local employers and maintain residents within our communities. Skillful is a FREE service to the resident of the West End and Norwood communities and complements the efforts of the Colorado Workforce Center.

Carla Reams, who is a long-time Nucla resident, has been contracted to serve as the Program Manager for the Skillful-West End Project. Having spent the past 21 years working for San Miguel Power, with 13 years as the Manager of Administration and Human Resources, Carla has a great deal of experience writing resumes, preparing people for interviews, and connecting people to jobs and skills-based employment. She currently has an office set up at the Collective Mine building in Naturita and accepts walk-ins or appointments.

First established in Colorado, Skillful, an initiative of the Markle Foundation, is dedicated to enabling all Americans – particularly those without a four-year college degree – to secure good jobs in a changing economy. Skillful engages employers, educators, policymakers, and workforce development organizations to create a labor market in which skills are valued, and people can more easily access the information and education they need to secure good jobs.

Funding for the Skillful West End Project is provided the Markle Foundation and the Telluride Foundation.

To learn more about the Skillful West End Project, contact Program Manager, Carla Reams at (970) 428-7271 or c.reams@choosewestend.org. You may also follow the Skillful-West End project on Facebook.