Colorado auto dealers need workers; Auto Show holds job fair
DENVER — Colorado auto dealers have put out the “help wanted” sign. They’re having a record year, and they need to hire new workers to keep up with demand.
They’re recruiting where you might not expect it.
For the first time ever if you are heading to the Denver International Auto Show, you might want to bring along your resume.
“We’re tracking for our best month in our 49-year history so right now we’ve been aggressively hiring doing everything we can to get quality people,” said Kirin.
That’s why for the first time in its history, the Denver Auto Show is holding a jobs fair. Dealers are coming all the way from Durango in Colorado’s southwestern corner to recruit.
“Business has been good,” says Greg Rowland of Morehart Murphy Regional Automotive Center in Durango. “We’re certainly looking for more in the service department, in the fix operations where we’ve got some opportunities there. So anything that would maybe come from this is helpful.”
They’ll be taking thousands of applicants throughout the five-day event.
“I’m looking for sales people, technicians, parts and service people,” says Tracy Parent, HR director for the Ralph Schomp Automotive group. “So, yeah, I’m really really excited to hire people this weekend.”
Car dealers now generate nearly a quarter of Colorado state and local sales tax, with less than two percent of the state workforce.
In fact those latest numbers show Colorado car dealerships employ more than 17,000 people directly and more than 10,000 indirectly.
They need to grow that workforce to keep up with demand.
“They want to connect themselves with quality workers and they have a lot of positions open at most dealerships,” says Tim Jackson, director of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association.
So you can come to look at the new cars or get hired to sell and maintain them.
The dealerships are looking for “qualified” candidates. But some of them are willing to train if you have experience in a related position.
You are encouraged to contact them directly. Several dealers will be recruiting at the auto show Wednesday night through Sunday.
See the KDVR.com career board
