Celebrating Denver’s Impact through the New Skills Ready Initiative

Education-to-career pathways in Denver are stronger and more accessible thanks to a five-year collaboration across education, industry, and policy sectors fueled by the New Skills ready network, an initiative launched by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in 2020.

Rooted in a shared belief that every learner should have opportunities to acquire the skills and real-world experiences needed to thrive in a high-value, in-demand career, the results of our partnership speak for themselves:

52% increase in participation in industry-aligned career pathways
5x increase in completion of industry-recognized credentials
15% increase in participation in industry-aligned work-based learning experiences

At the heart of this progress was our partners’ shared commitment to collaboration, with The Attainment Network serving as a neutral intermediary to support our K–12, higher education, and workforce partners’ strategic alignment on shared goals. Acting as a bridge between priorities, we helped translate across sectors, navigate competing demands, and sustain the focus needed to drive meaningful change.

Our work didn't happen in isolation. Throughout this journey we have been grateful for the opportunity to explore innovative ideas, share breakthrough strategies, and troubleshoot challenges between all our partners and with our New Skills ready network peers in five other cities.

We are proud to have helped shepherd this work – and grateful to our partners who are dedicated to ensuring every learner can build a career that supports their family and leads to lasting economic mobility and success.

Our momentum is strong and our work continues. We look forward to working with our partners to continue building opportunities for learners to access pathways to meaningful, high-value careers.

RECENT ARTICLES

Building a Culture of Evidence, Together

By Rana Tarkenton • November 12, 2025

Beyond Data: Using Evidence for Informed Decision Making

We’re Growing! Join The Attainment Network Team

November 12, 2025

The Attainment Network is excited to announce two new opportunities to join our team! We’re hiring two Program Coordinators to support our work advancing equitable education-to-career systems across Colorado - including one position dedicated to serving the Southern Colorado / San Luis Valley region. Our Program Coordinators play a key role in connecting partners, supporting professional learning events, and ensuring smooth implementation across multiple statewide initiatives. These positions offer a chance to work collaboratively with educators, employers, and community partners who are driving meaningful systems change. If you’re an organized, mission-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment — we’d love to hear from you! 📄 Learn more and apply Join us in shaping the future of education and workforce development in Colorado!

Strengthening Connections and Amplifying Purpose

November 4, 2025

This November, The Attainment Network team is showing up in spaces that reflect our mission as we seek to strengthen connections and amplify our mission to evolve school-to-career systems across Colorado and beyond. Whether it’s supporting rural partners in the San Luis Valley, engaging with students and employers at a career fair, or presenting on systems transformation at a national convening, we’re excited to keep learning and leading alongside our partners and collaborators. Here’s where you can find us this November: 🗓️ November 3–5 🔹 Purpose Jam – Denver Katherine and Michelle will attend this multi-day gathering hosted by The Purpose Commons, bringing together young people, educators, funders, and researchers around one big idea: that every young person deserves a life filled with purpose and possibility. 🗓️ November 4 🔹 MSU Denver 60th Anniversary Presidential Luncheon – Denver Rana will join University leaders, alumni, faculty, and friends to celebrate six decades of innovation and inclusion at MSU Denver and its enduring impact on higher education in Colorado. 🗓️ November 10 🔹 SLV All-Partner Meeting – Alamosa Ashley will connect with regional leaders to share updates and coordinate efforts across education, workforce, and healthcare initiatives in the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ November 12 🔹 SLV Career Fair – Alamosa Ashley is working with our partners in the Valley to connect high school and college learners with local employers, training providers, and work-based learning opportunities in high-demand fields. 🔹 CDE Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Regional Training – Denver Michelle will attend this training to support districts and schools in navigating recent PWR updates resulting from the 2025 legislative session – including new funding, changes to school and district accountability, and tools aligned with “The Big Three.” 🔹 Colorado CTE Data Summit – Denver Stefan will join CTE leaders and data professionals for two days of insights, skill-building, and updates on statewide data initiatives, including the Colorado Longitudinal Data System. 🔹 ECMC Foundation Rural Impact Initiative Reception – Denver Stefan and Rana will attend this reception at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Annual Conference . The event will bring together leaders, researchers, and practitioners committed to strengthening postsecondary access and success in rural communities. 🗓️ November 17–19 🔹 Next: The 2025 Complete College America Annual Convening – Baltimore Katherine and Michelle will present on how to use design thinking and cross-sector collaboration protocols to drive consensus and action in career-connected learning systems. They’ll join leaders from across the country to share strategies that position higher education as a force for transformation. We hope to see you at one of these events or hear from you if you're working on similar efforts. As always, we’re eager to connect, collaborate, and amplify what’s working.