April Lookahead

March 31, 2026

APRIL IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITY AND We're LEANING IN

April is full of opportunities. From executive-level conversations on employer engagement to career-connected learning in the San Luis Valley, The Attainment Network team continues to lead, learn, and collaborate in spaces shaping the future of education-to-workforce systems.


Here’s where you can find us this April:


🗓️ March 31 – April 2
🔹 Axim Collaborative: Employer Engagement CoLab – Cambridge, MA
Rana and partners from MSU Denver, CCD, and Colorado Thrives will join senior leaders from higher education, workforce, and technology sectors across the country for this working session focused on building talent pipelines that work, with specific goals of shortening time-to-hire and improving early-career performance.


 🗓️ April 1
🔹 Illuminate the Possibilities: SLV CTE & ICAP Summit – Alamosa
Ashley and Wes will join educators from across the San Luis Valley for this full-day learning event focused on strengthening student pathways and career readiness, including an opportunity to participate in CTE specialists' credentials training exploring the potential of ICAP. 


🗓️ April 3
🔹 CACEP Conference – Colorado Springs
Michelle and Emily will join K-12,higher education leaders, advocates from across the state to explore best practices, emerging opportunities, and challenges in expanding access to concurrent enrollment.

🔹 Northern Colorado Intersections Report Community Check-In – Windsor
Libby is participating in this community event, hosted by the NoCo Foundation, convening partners to reflect on regional progress and shared goals for improving well-being across Northern Colorado.


🗓️ April 7
🔹 CoData Feedback Session – Denver
In partnership with the Better Data for Better Decisions coalition, Stefan will lead a small stakeholder session with Colorado Succeeds to share updates and gather feedback on Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System.


🗓️ April 7–9
🔹 CDLE Career Summit – Denver
Ashley will join workforce leaders from across Colorado for this annual summit focused on aligning strategy, services, and outcomes across the workforce system.


🗓️ April 13–15
🔹 ASU + GSV Summit – San Diego, CA
Rana will attend this global convening of leaders focused on innovation in education and workforce systems, exploring how to expand access to opportunity across the learning lifecycle.


🗓️ April 13
🔹 Space Symposium International Teacher Liaison Workshop – Colorado Springs
Emily will join educators from around the world to explore new approaches to STEM and space science and how to inspire learners toward careers in the space industry.


🗓️ April 20
🔹 Think BIGGER: Building the Talent that Builds Denver | A Joint Initiative of the City and School District to Expand Youth Workforce Opportunities – Denver
The Attainment Network team will support this event bringing together local, state, and national leaders to strengthen Denver’s youth workforce ecosystem and expand access to meaningful career development opportunities.


🗓️ April 22
🔹 Community College of Aurora CAST Building Tour – Aurora
Libby, Michelle, and Rana will join partners for a tour of the new Center for Applied Science and Technology, exploring innovative learning environments and workforce-aligned programming.


🗓️ April 27
🔹 Professional Learning Series: Commission on Purposeful Pathways – Virtual
The Attainment Network team is hosting a virtual professional learning session focused on advancing career navigation and purpose-driven pathways across education and workforce systems. Register for the free webinar here. 


🗓️ April 29
🔹 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo – Alamosa
Ashley and Wes will support this hands-on event providing learners with hands-on opportunities to explore careers in healthcare. Learners will engage directly with professionals, explore the mobile healthcare lab, and showcase their entrepreneurial projects through a Shark Tank-style presentation experience.


🗓️ April 30
🔹 Partners in Construction Debut Meeting – San Luis Valley
Wes will join partners for the kickoff of this new collaborative effort focused on strengthening construction career pathways in the San Luis Valley.


RECENT ARTICLES

Top 10 Hard Truths About Partnerships

By Rana Tarkenton • June 8, 2026
And why they are still wor th it

On the Road This June: Connecting Learning, Workforce & Opportunity

May 27, 2026
From Boulder to the San Luis Valley to Washington, D.C., we’re joining conversations that are shaping the future of learning and work.

Systems are stronger when they are shaped by the people they are meant to serve

May 19, 2026
Our recent L/Earner Voice Symposium offered a powerful reminder that systems are stronger when they are shaped by the people they are meant to serve. The learners and earners who presented Ted Talk-style reflections have worked with education and workforce organizations that value the expertise and lived experiences of learners and earners. They shared honest reflections about the difference between simply inviting young people into conversations and creating environments where their insights and ideas genuinely shape decisions, opportunities, and outcomes. Throughout the discussion, several themes emerged consistently: the importance of authentic engagement, the need for empowering environments where young people feel safe sharing ideas, and the role relationships and mentorship play in building confidence and opportunity. Speakers emphasized that learners are not only participants in education-to-workforce systems — they are experts in the challenges those systems are trying to solve. Panelists also spoke candidly about the barriers many young people face, including financial limitations, self-doubt, and the need for spaces that support both personal growth and guidance. “Young people deserve to get paid for their work,” said Gabriela Chavez, urging organizations to avoid situations where only young people who can afford to participate are the ones who get heard. Our learner and earner speakers also shared inspiring stories about moments when their voices influenced real change — from improving programs and products to advocating for education funding and mentoring others. Anyshya Hemphill had a moment when she learned that her insights and leadership led to 400 young people engaging with the networking guidance provided by the DeBruce Foundation. “That was the moment I was like, okay — wait, what I said actually made a difference.” Thank you to all of our learners and earners who shared their experience.