Douglas County proclaims September Workforce Development Month; AD Works reports local outcomes

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Sept. 23 proclaiming September 2025 as Workforce Development Month and acknowledged services provided by Arapahoe Douglas Works (AD Works).

DJ Beckwith, representing Planning Resources, presented the resolution and described AD Works as the publicly funded workforce center serving Douglas County. Beckwith read the resolution, which recognizes AD Works’ role in connecting job seekers and businesses and in expanding services such as registered apprenticeships.

Emily Tapia, workforce administrator for Arapahoe Douglas Works, and Sydney Goldich, agency and workforce board manager, told commissioners that in the last program year AD Works provided more than 8,000 workforce-development services to over 1,900 Douglas County residents. AD Works said it served nearly 700 individuals in person at the Douglas County Career Center, provided job-readiness workshops to about 900 customers, and delivered specialized workshops to roughly 400 individuals in custody at the Douglas County Justice Center; 123 of those inside custody requested one-on-one meetings with a career adviser. AD Works also reported employer outreach including a job fair connecting 30 employers and about 160 attendees, and a school career expo hosting 65 businesses and over 500 students.

The resolution passed unanimously. Commissioner (Board of County Commissioners) moved to approve the resolution and another commissioner seconded; all present voted “aye.” The board and presenters noted that AD Works connects to other county programs such as the HEART homeless initiative and coordinates with Arapahoe Community College and the Douglas County School District on labor-market data and training.

The board encouraged continued outreach to businesses and job seekers and thanked AD Works for its services.