No matter what sector or region, employers are increasingly hiring talent based on soft skills like attitude and ambition, with nearly 9 out of 10 saying the most important factor in hiring is the candidate’s work ethic.

The challenge is that less than 1 in 5 candidates have these skills.

While these foundational behaviors are the top traits that hiring managers are looking for in candidates, almost all job training is focused on academic and technical skills. New research shows that not only can these behaviors be learned, they are making a huge difference in employability and retention.

Hear from the CEO of The Center for Work Ethic Development, Josh Davies, about how Colorado is helping to develop work ethic state‐wide.

Colorado is the first state to launch a new career pathway tool for high school students pursuing education for future careers. As part of a pilot program, College Measures partnership with American Institutes of Research work together with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Center for Education and Workforce, Gallup, CACI and a number of Colorado agencies and organizations to create an online tool to help students determine an academic path that matches their career goals.

Today we'll talk with Mark Schneider, President of College Measures, and lead researcher for the web-tool, LaunchMyCareerColorado.org. Mark will explain how the tool can lead to more successful graduates by directing their focus to three main considerations, Hot Jobs, Hot Skills and the Return On Investment based on the career and lifestyle each student expects.

LaunchMyCareerColorado.org launched just last week, at an event at History Colorado on June 9th. This is an exciting tool to help guide students with a realistic view of the demand for their chosen careers, expected salaries as well as the weight of school loans. Parents, students and employers should check it out at www.LaunchMyCareerColorado.org. Tennessee, Texas and Minnesota are next in line for similar tools. As Coloradans we consider our state fortunate to be part of the pilot program.

Tune in to Connect and Collaborate to learn more - LIVE today at 4:00 on Denver's Money Talk 1690 AM.