GOLDEN, Colo. -- Anyone who's lost their job knows how frustrating searching for a job can be.

Gov. Bill Ritter told a crowd gathered at the Jefferson County Workforce Center Thursday that this is the worst economy since the Great Depression.

"Government can't solve the unemployment problem by itself, but it does have a role," Ritter said.

The governor unveiled three legislative proposals that are intended to help employees and small businesses.

One would provide incentives for health care professionals to work in rural areas.

Another would broaden the eligibility of the existing CollegeInvest nurse loan forgiveness program.

The third would help set up employee funded job-retraining accounts and would offer incentives to businesses that match contributions.

The accounts would pay for further education.

"We're making significant investments in job training and retraining programs so that Coloradans have the right skills for the new jobs that we're able to build in this economy," Ritter said.

"We have a long way to go," the governor added. "But our strategies are showing signs of success."

The governor and the executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Don Mares, also announced the expansion of the "CareerReady Colorado Certificate" program.

It provides job seekers with a state credential certifying their skills.

David Bebout used his certificate to land a job at Envergent, an evironmental assessment company.

"This is gauging intellectual qualities, commitment, team work analysis and analytical skills,” Bebout said. “These are all things that any business can utilize and so can any job-seeker.”

The CareerReady certificate is awarded after an individual completes a skills assessment at any workforce center.

The assessment verifies workplace skills in reading for information, locating information and applied Mathematics.

The Ameristar Casino and Resort in Black Hawk was part of the CareerReady pilot program.

Ameristar Sr. Vice President and General Manager Reggie Fullwood told 7NEWS that the certificates helped a handful of resumes rise to the top.

“The bottom line is we get hundreds of applications, and it’s very difficult to give each one the attention it deserves,” Fullwood said. “But when you see that certificate, you know you’ve got a candidate that’s been assessed by an independent third party and that person is probably going to be a good candidate for you when they arrive on the property.”

House Republican Leader Mike May, R-Parker, said a focus on jobs is absolutely essential.

May said he doesn't believe the governor is doing enough.

"Unfortunately, the governor seems to be more focused on job training programs than proposals to get Coloradans back to work," May said. "It's time to take a new approach to solve our long term problems."