In an effort to attract and retain workers, the department is taking on the role of developer to provide affordable housing. It is just one way the public sector is working to fill vacancies.
In Colorado’s ski towns, the snow is really only fun on the slopes. That’s where the people who plow the roads come in. They keep these communities safe and mobile. But sky-high home prices are keeping them from residing in the very mountain towns they serve, and it’s fueling a shortage of road maintenance operators.
To fix it, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is taking on the role of developer and building homes for its employees.
It’s no secret the public sector nationwide is struggling to fill vacant positions. As of November, there were 881,000 job openings in state and local government. As agencies attempt to attract and retain workers, they’re getting creative. While not all may be going so far as to build housing, they are looking beyond compensation to fill vacancies.
Route Fifty
by Molly Bolan
JAN 13, 2023