Celebrating Partnership and Progress Toward a More Equitable Future

December 19, 2024

Thank you for partnering with us to empower learners and strengthen communities. 

As we close out 2024 – a year that has underscored the deep divides in our nation – it’s worth celebrating the progress we’ve achieved together right here in Colorado. Despite the noise of national disunity, learners and earners in our state are building a future filled with promise. By working together with our partners to equip learners for high-value careers, we are advancing our shared belief in the dignity and potential of every individual, regardless of their background. 


The Attainment Network is proud to serve as a bridge – an intermediary that builds productive partnerships with schools, colleges, and employers – connecting learners to opportunities and employers to skilled, diverse talent. We believe communities thrive when learners are heard, valued, and empowered to contribute, and we are committed to transforming education-to-workforce systems and erasing pervasive equity gaps. Our goal is for all learners not only to succeed in meaningful careers but also to contribute to thriving communities. 


Colorado is full of progress and hope. In the San Luis Valley, we are proud to lead healthcare employers, higher education, community-based organizations, and 14 school districts that are all united in their commitment to provide opportunities to diverse learners and break the cycle of generational poverty. Together, we are elevating the voices of learners and earners and building lasting systems that equip them with the education and skills needed to build strong futures for themselves and their families. 


In Jeffco Public Schools, we are fostering new partnerships with postsecondary institutions and employers that will bring the district’s vision for a public safety academy to life. This initiative will open doors to rewarding careers in law enforcement, firefighting, and other essential public safety roles, giving learners the opportunity to serve their communities and find purpose in high-value professions. 


In Denver, where The Attainment Network first began supporting collaboration between K-12 and higher education, we have seen a significant expansion of opportunities for learners to acquire real-world experiences and industry-recognized credentials. By listening to learner voices and working together to reduce the barriers they face, we have increased the number and diversity of learners who are prepared to enter meaningful careers that will support their families.  


And in Aurora, a community enriched by its vibrant diversity, we have been proud to enhance our partners’ capacity to shape new education-to-workforce systems that create economic opportunity for learners in construction and healthcare industries. 


Last fall in Greeley, nearly 500 educators and employers gathered at our Career-Connected L/Earning Conference to connect and build their capacity to shape education-to-workforce systems and equip learners for meaningful careers.  


Threaded through our work across the state is our commitment to elevating the voices and experiences of learners, ensuring our partners develop strategies that are responsive to the unique needs of each community.  


Progress is rarely linear, but we are inspired by our partners’ steady commitment to learning, collaboration, and growth. Moving forward, we will continue to elevate promising practices to state-level conversations, informing policies that advance equity and opportunity for all. As we look forward to 2025, we can see a future where, working in partnership, we will shape systems where all learners find economic opportunity and purpose in their communities.  


Thank you for partnering with us in this work. It is only by working together and embracing the hard work of collaboration that we can truly break down barriers, reshape systems, and create lasting change. To our investors, thank you for believing in our mission and making our shared vision a reality. And as we ring in a new year, let’s reaffirm our commitment to work in partnership, listen to learner voices, and design opportunities that will shape a more equitable future. 


Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with the promise of all that we can accomplish together. 


In gratitude and partnership, 


The Team at The Attainment Network


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As our nation celebrates 250 years, we're inspired to keep building toward a future where opportunity is within reach for every learner and earner. Throughout July, The Attainment Network team will join partners across Colorado and the country to strengthen career-connected learning, expand economic mobility, and build systems that help every learner and earner thrive. Here’s where you can find us this July: 🗓️ July 1 🔹 Colorado Space Institute Space Educator Bootcamp Celebration – Castle Rock Emily will join education, industry, and workforce partners to celebrate the Colorado Space Institute’s Space Educator Bootcamp and explore how educators are bringing space science and STEM learning into classrooms across Colorado. 🗓️ July 10 🔹 Regional Accountable Entity 1 San Luis Valley Programs Improvement Advisory Council Meeting – Alamosa Wes will join healthcare providers, community organizations, and regional leaders working together to strengthen healthcare programs and address the social determinants of health across the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ July 13-15 🔹 CU Badge Summit – Boulder Stefan will attend this national convening focused on the future of digital credentials and how they can expand learning and career opportunities. 🗓️ July 14-16 🔹 College Board District Success Network Conference – Denver Rana will serve on a panel exploring how schools can help students connect classroom learning to future college and career opportunities. 🗓️ July 16 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee – Denver The Transition Advisory Committee, including our own Michelle Camacho Liu, reconvenes to continue developing recommendations to guide Colorado's new unified postsecondary talent development system. 🗓️ July 20-21 🔹 ECMC Research Gathering: From Questions to Change – Minneapolis Stefan will join ECMC Foundation partners from across the country to explore how research, policy, and practice can work together to drive meaningful systems change. 🗓️ July 23 🔹 Construction Pathway Meeting – Alamosa Ashley and Wes will reconvene with education, workforce, and industry partners in the San Luis Valley to continue building a shared strategy for strengthening construction career pathways across the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ July 30 🔹 Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants Summer of Fun – Colorado Springs Michelle Payne will connect with accounting professionals, educators, and employers to explore trends in the profession and opportunities to expand mentorship and internship pathways. If you’ll be at one of these events or working on something similar, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.