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Scenes from Q1 2026

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:29:03 GMT

A look at the work and the collaboration driving momentum in 2026

As we move further into 2026, we took a moment to reflect on the work that’s already shaped this year.

Each of these photos represents something meaningful from Q1 — whether it’s a standout moment or a glimpse into the partnerships and progress driving our work forward. From conversations at the Capitol to collaboration in communities across Colorado, these snapshots capture the people and efforts behind the systems we’re building together.

They’re reminders that this work is powered by relationships, shared purpose, and a commitment to strengthening pathways to in-demand, meaningful careers for learners and earners.

Shining a Spotlight on Our Board

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:30:11 GMT

Aaron Miltenberger on Skills, Opportunity, and Rural Innovation

At The Attainment Network, our board members bring diverse experiences that help guide our mission to expand pathways from learning to earning for all Coloradans.

Aaron Miltenberger has spent more than three decades working with young people and families, particularly outside traditional classroom settings. His work in higher education and out-of-school-time learning has focused on helping learners develop transferable skills that support both personal fulfillment and workforce success.

We spoke with Aaron about what drew him to The Attainment Network, the changes he believes are needed in education-to-workforce systems, and what continues to inspire him in his work.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you?
I believe that building transferrable life and workforce skills is the differentiator for youth and families in building pathways towards happiness. The way that The Attainment Network has shown up in and supported that work in the San Luis Valley has demonstrated a commitment to leading with and supporting the vision of those persons most impacted by decision-making

Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?
I have been working with young people and families outside of formal teaching and learning systems for over 30 years, most relevantly in higher education, establishing a need to align co-curricular programs with academic outcomes. This led me to see that the ability to describe skills in terms of learning outcomes and not the ability or skill itself was a differentiator of job attainment , and that many systems of credentials were not learner centered and portable. Further, in my role with Out-of-School-Time, I have seen rural learners systemically marginalized in opportunities to determine policy and processes, yet these learners often exhibit the innovation mindset crucial to solving the problems of tomorrow.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
Shepherd Book's advice to Mal in Serenity, "I don't care what you believe. Just believe in it."

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
I am excited to see how The Attainment Network will continue to serve as the state’s priorities evolve.

Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
The Bhagavad Gita—Yes, because it is the foundational story of so much human experience.

Purpose, Belonging, and Social Capital in Career Navigation

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:01:54 GMT

Key Takeaways from The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series

Educators, workforce leaders, and partners joined The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series session on March 30 to explore a timely question: how do we design career advising systems that help learners build a sense of purpose and belonging as well as the social capital needed for long-term success?

One thing is clear — this work is critical, and our understanding of how to do it is growing.

Purpose is one of the strongest upstream predictors of thriving, according to TeRay Esquibel , Executive Director of Purpose Commons . It shapes goals, influences behavior, and drives health, well-being, academic success, and resilience.

Adolescence is a critical window for purpose development, as young people form their identities, explore values, and build relationships. Yet, as TeRay emphasized, purpose is not something young people simply “have” or “find.” It is cultivated over time through a set of intentional conditions:

Emotional safety
Opportunities for exploration
Connection to identity and lived experience
Action-oriented experiences (learning by doing)

Ednium Research and Action
Richard Maez , Executive Director of Ednium: The Alumni Collective , grounded the conversation in the experiences of young Denver Public Schools alumni. Their research shows that while young alumni often feel confident in their identity and their sense of purpose, they are less confident in translating that purpose into action. In response, Ednium is integrating agency into programming:

One-on-one coaching to explore motivations, skills, and goals
Small group cohorts that build community and support
Skill-building workshops to practice durable skills and expand networks

Cultivating Purpose at Fort Lewis College

Janae Hunderman , Director of Career & Workforce at Fort Lewis College , shared how these ideas are being implemented in a diverse, student-centered institution.

The college has embedded purpose into a campus-wide career development curriculum. Tools like “Challenge Cards” encourage students to think less about job titles and more about the problems they want to solve in the world. Fort Lewis is also shifting to a career ecosystem model — engaging faculty and staff across campus as partners in career conversations.

One message was consistent: purpose is not a one-time discovery — it is something we revisit and rebuild throughout our lives.

Session Materials

Additional Resources Shared

Explore upcoming sessions in The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series and continue building your capacity to strengthen education-to-career systems. Learn More.

And join The Attainment Network, Peak Education, CEEMI, and Business Education Alliance for the 2026 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference Oct. 29-30 in Colorado Springs. Learn more.

April Lookahead

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:56:24 GMT

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.

Building Strong Pathways Starts with Career Advising

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:04:08 GMT

I recently had the opportunity to meet Aimar Amezcua-Sandoval, a workforce development specialist at Denver Health, during a panel discussion at Metropolitan State University Denver titled Healthcare Careers You Didn’t Know Existed.

During our conversation before the event, I learned something unexpected: Years earlier when I worked at the Denver Scholarship Foundation, I had hired the college and career advisor who helped launch Aimar’s journey.

It was a powerful reminder that the systems we talk about improving are ultimately built and shaped by people. The ripple effects of a highly qualified, well-prepared advisor can extend far beyond a single decision or moment in time.

We often talk about education and career pathways as if they are obvious routes that learners intuitively step onto and follow. In reality, many learners experience something very different. They face big decisions without clear information about their options or what steps to take next.

That’s where career advising makes such a difference. Advisors help people distill their interests, understand what’s possible, and navigate decisions with more confidence.

I wanted to hear more about Aimar’s career journey, so I reached out to learn more about her path from from high school student to nurse to workforce development specialist at Denver Health.

The following edited excerpt from our conversation illustrates how powerful high quality career guidance can be.

Aimar Amezcua-Sandoval, MHA

Workforce Development Specialist

Denver Health

Rana: Career interests often emerge from lived experiences rather than formal planning processes — a reminder that advising must help individuals connect personal meaning to professional pathways. What first led you toward healthcare?

Aimar: My senior year of high school, my sister fractured vertebrae in her spine in a drunk driver collision. Seeing how she was cared for at Denver Health really inspired me.

She wasn’t treated as just another number, but as a patient, as a daughter, as a sister. They cared about everyone in that room.

I was a senior who thought she wanted to be a pathologist. After that hospital journey, I decided I wanted to be a nurse — the person who knows patients’ first names and their families and what they need.

That’s what really sparked it.

Rana: You’ve said a college and career advisor played a pivotal role in your journey. What difference did that support make?

Aimar: Being a Latina who comes from immigrant parents, having to navigate not only my own education but their life here in the United States was very difficult. If you asked my high school self what social capital was, I wouldn’t have known how to answer that.

At my high school, we had a Future Center through the Denver Scholarship Foundation, and I had an incredible advisor, Miss Sierra. She was a staple in my career journey.

She helped me with everything — FAFSA, applications, personal statements, understanding costs, housing, transportation — all these things I never thought of. But she also asked questions that helped guide me, like whether I really understood what nursing required and whether it aligned with me.

When I told her I wanted to be a nurse, she asked, “Are you sure? Do you know what it takes?” She connected me to CNA programs so I could experience the work before investing all this time and money.

Without her, I would have been lost. I probably would have managed it myself, but it would have been much more difficult trying to navigate everything with parents who didn’t go through that process.

Having a guide and mentor during that time was a staple in my journey. Advisors help you get there with fewer hiccups. We don’t know what we don’t know unless someone is there to help and advise us and help us maneuver systems we would have never known how to navigate ourselves.

Rana: How did advising help you take your first step into a healthcare pathway?

Aimar: She connected me to CNA programs to make sure this was what I wanted. They helped me enroll and do financial aid. She told me, if you don’t love it, that’s okay — your first two years still count.

Luckily, I ended up loving it and stuck with it.

Advising helps you explore before committing. It helps you understand what the work actually looks like and make decisions with more confidence.

Rana: Advising often focuses on entry points, but navigation support remains critical after hiring — particularly during early career transitions. As you entered the workforce, where did you see gaps in support?

Aimar: Being a young professional, especially a Latina in organizations with majority white employees, I felt like I always had to prove myself and work harder so others could take me seriously.

As a CNA, we were often short staffed. Instead of nine patients, I’d have 18 or even 27. I saw very quickly how that affected not only me and my learning, but patient care.

That’s where burnout began.

Later, during my internship at Denver Health, I learned about mentoring and resources to prevent burnout early.

One statistic we found was that turnover is highest in the first three years. If employees reach that third year marker, there’s a much better chance they stay for their career.

Those early supports are critical.

Rana: From your perspective now, how clear are healthcare career pathways — and what role does advising play?

Aimar: Very unclear, if I’m being honest. It’s like walking through a rainstorm and your glasses keep getting wet after you wipe them.

People get stuck at many different points. Some don’t know what possibilities exist. Others don’t know how to get training or apply for the next move.

At every step, someone is going to be stuck unless they have some type of advisor guiding them on how to strategically make the next move.

That’s my job now — helping employees explore options, figure out schooling, connect to programs, and fill in those gaps.

I met a housekeeper who loved watching the care team on her unit interact with patients and said, “I want to be a part of that team.” I helped her enroll in a CNA program. She graduated, applied to the same unit, and was hired almost immediately.

Now she works less, makes more money, has more time with her kids, and feels fulfilled being part of that team.

That’s what advising can do — help people see opportunities and understand how to get there.

Rana: One of the challenges in designing pathways is that systems often assume linear progress, while real lives rarely follow straight lines. What do people often misunderstand about how careers actually unfold?

Aimar: I would love others to know that our path isn’t always linear. It’s going to be some steps going up, maybe a couple steps going back. And it’s going to be very unique and look different from the next person.

After graduating from high school, I told myself, I’m going to be a nurse. I gave myself a timeline — prereqs two years, nursing school, get a job. But a lot of things happened in between that shifted my perspective and led me to where I am today.

It’s okay to change your mind and want to start over and pursue a new dream. Ever since I steered away from my “year-by-year plan” to more of a “let’s enjoy everything that comes up,” I’ve let that guide me to where I need to be.

I have no regrets. None, absolutely none.

My reflections after getting to know Aimar

Aimar’s story reinforces something we see across education and workforce systems: pathways, even well-constructed ones, only work when people can navigate them.

Career advising is not a single moment tied to high school graduation, a college application, or a first job. It is an ongoing process of helping individuals understand possibilities, test interests, interpret choices, and move forward with confidence at key transition points.

Today, Aimar provides the same kind of navigation support she once received and she still has an informal advisor of her own helping her navigate her professional journey at Denver Health — illustrating how advising functions as a continuous thread across a career lifecycle.

From high school exploration to early career decisions to advancement within the workplace, advising provides the social capital and clarity many learners and earners would otherwise have to build alone.

If we want stronger pathways — and stronger workforce outcomes — we must treat career advising and navigation as essential infrastructure rather than optional support.

Because systems are ultimately shaped by people — and when we invest in the advisors who guide others, the ripple effects extend far beyond a single decision, accelerating journeys toward opportunity in ways no pathway map alone ever could.

Colorado Longitudinal Data System Takes Shape

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:06:46 GMT

Colorado’s upcoming Statewide Longitudinal Data System now has a catchy new name — COdata , short for Colorado Data Connections — marking its evolution from a policy vision into an accessible, user-friendly tool designed to help learners and their families, as well as educators and policymakers, make informed decisions about education and career pathways.

At The Attainment Network’s February State of the Data webinar, Dr. Heather MacGillivary from the Governor’s Office of Information Technology shared meaningful progress and new opportunities for stakeholder engagement as COdata moves toward the launch of its first public reports this September.

Key Updates

Draft Research Framework
The state has developed a draft 2–3 year research framework to guide how COdata will be used and expanded. The framework:
Establishes shared definitions to reduce confusion across agencies and sectors
Identifies priority questions about education-to-workforce pathways
Emphasizes analysis of access and outcomes for diverse groups of Coloradans
Stakeholder feedback on the Research Framework is being collected through May, with finalization expected in June. Contact heather.macgillivary@state.co.us to provide feedback.
Public Data Dashboard Development
The public-facing COdata dashboard is actively being built and tested. The team has:
Conducted focus groups with state agency data partners to refine the interface
Linked the majority of participating program data sources
OIT is seeking feedback on the dashboard from learners, families and policymakers. Contact Stefan@attainmentnetwork.org if you know learners and families who would like to participate.

You can review the full presentation and discussion here:
�� Slides
�� Recording Passcode: z5Sz!6&C

In addition to system updates, CEEMI’s Roger Low reminded participants that evidence-building is not a box-checking exercise — it is about improving people’s lives. With limited public resources and complex challenges, research and evaluation help determine which strategies truly move the needle. Clear distinctions between outputs, outcomes, and impacts are essential to scaling what works.

Ways to Stay Engaged

�� Join the Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition
Participate in monthly working sessions to provide stakeholder feedback and help align COData insights with major state priorities and policy decisions. Contact Stefan@attainmentnetwork.org for more information about the coalition.

�� Attend the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference, Oct. 29–30 in Colorado Springs
Learn more about how data, evidence, and cross-sector collaboration shape Colorado’s education-to-workforce system. Learn More.

On the Move in March

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:03:08 GMT

March is all about leadership in action. The Attainment Network team is stepping into spaces where strategy, influence, and collaboration converge. We’re excited to elevate rural voices, strengthen employer engagement, and participate in conversations shaping education-to-workforce systems across Colorado and beyond.

Here’s where you can find us this March:

��️ March 3–5

�� Accelerate ED Community Convening — Columbus, OH

Michelle Camacho Liu and Rana will join education-to-workforce leaders from multiple states to explore strategies for scaling high-quality pathways, building sustainable infrastructure, and strengthening connections that expand opportunity and build economic mobility for learners.

��️ March 5

�� NOCO Talent Summit — Northern Colorado

Libby will join other NOCO leaders at this summit centered on strengthening partnerships between business, education, and government, with conversations on human skills in AI and connecting education to careers.

��️ March 11

�� San Luis Valley Career Fair — San Luis Valley

Ashley and Wes will support this regional event connecting high school students with local employers, training programs, and career pathways. This fair will feature careers in agriculture.

�� Scrivner Policy Roundtable: Rural Renaissance and Colorado’s Policy Future — Denver

Michelle Payne will join this conversation highlighting insights from Colorado Project 2.0’s Rural Renaissance initiative, elevating the voices and experiences of rural communities to continue building a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth.

��️ March 11–12

�� SLV Partnership Leadership Meetings – San Luis Valley

Rana will meet with regional partners to discuss healthcare pathways progress and explore new opportunities for growth.

��️ March 18
�� Bo e ttcher Foundation Convening: State of Leadership — Denver
Rana will join statewide leaders to reflect what’s working, what’s challenging, and what it takes to accelerate progress.

��️ March 19
�� Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition Meeting – Virtual
Stefan will join this open, virtual meeting focused on priority data initiatives, including updates on Colorado’s State Longitudinal Data System.

��️ March 31 – April 2
�� Axim Collaborative: Employer Engagement CoLab – Cambridge, MA
Rana and partners from MSU Denver and CCD will attend this executive-level working session focused on strengthening employer engagement and shortening time-to-hire through more aligned and effective talent pipelines.

We hope to see you at one of these events — or hear from you if you’re working on similar efforts. March is shaping up to be a month of meaningful dialogue and forward motion.

Aligning Colorado’s Education-to-Workforce Ecosystem

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:05:49 GMT

Centering Human Experience, Leveraging Technology Efficiencies, and Advancing Policy Enablers

When I moved to Colorado in 2008, unbeknownst to me, recently passed legislation establishing the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (commonly known as CAP4K) formally began Colorado’s ongoing quest to create education-to-workforce alignment. Fast-forward 18 years, Colorado has made major investments in career-connected learning, credential pathways, and workforce development. Yet learners still face fragmented systems that make it difficult to translate education into meaningful employment.

I’ve had the chance to work in policy development, statewide implementation, local implementation in districts and postsecondary institutions, and direct learner engagement. These experiences highlight the need for an integrated system built on three equally important components:

Supporting the lived human experience of learners and earners
Leveraging technology and data for transparency and efficiency
Advancing policy enablers that support and sustain alignment and equity

Supporting the Lived Human Experience:

My time at the Denver Scholarship Foundation was a daily reminder that at the center of every workforce strategy is a person navigating education, employment, financial realities, individual values, and career identity. Systems that fail to prioritize learner experience often produce strong programs that learners struggle to access or complete. Career advising, stackable credentials, and credit transferability are critical strategies that prioritize learner experience by producing strong programs that learners can both access and complete.

1. Career advising is the system’s connective tissue, helping learners understand their options, explore their sense of purpose, align education with career goals, and navigate transitions across systems. Strong advising supports learners by:

Providing a trusted thought partner to collaborate on identifying next steps through connection to accurate and reliable resources, and removing perceived barriers to success
Translating relevant labor market information into actionable career pathways
Helping learners select credentials aligned to short-term needs and long-term goals
Supporting smooth transitions between secondary, postsecondary, and workforce systems
Understanding and leveraging social capital
Building a sense of purpose, belonging, confidence, and career identity

2. Stackable credentials allow learners to earn meaningful credentials incrementally while working toward long-term career and education goals. Colorado has emerged as a national leader in stackable credential development. The state has created multiple sector-based credential pathways aligned with high-demand occupations and supported by legislation requiring institutions and employers to collaborate on credential design. Stackable credentials support the lived human experience by allowing learners to progress at their own pace, earn credentials with immediate labor market value, and return to education without losing prior achievements.

3. Credit transferability significantly affects learner persistence and affordability and is essential for maximizing the benefits of stackable credentials, ensuring that certificates and work-based learning experiences can contribute toward higher-level degrees. Colorado’s policy supports the one-third of learners who transfer by providing innovative options for learners, including:

Expansion of credit for prior learning
Allowing bachelor’s degree granting institutions to confer associate degrees to students who transferred from a two-year institution to a four-year institution by combining credits earned at each institution
Mandating transparency for learners on how and why their credits are accepted and applied or rejected
Developing a Colorado Transfer website to support a more transparent, efficient and learner-friendly transfer process

A recent audit of Colorado’s transfer system emphasized further opportunities for clarity, oversight, and consistent implementation of transfer practices to ensure all learners can fully benefit from the state’s transfer policies.

Leveraging Technology and Data Efficiencies: Over the years, I’ve heard countless frustrations from learners, advisors, district leaders, postsecondary administrators, and policymakers about navigating the complex education-to-workforce system. Nine times out of 10, these frustrations can be narrowed down to one thing — lack of or limited access to trusted, reliable information. What I would have given for an integrated statewide data system that was accessible, understandable, and actionable.

This data infrastructure is needed to scale and sustain the learner-centered advising and pathway designs above. It will provide data supporting credential quality and development of career pathways , allow for the evaluation of credential outcomes, align training with workforce needs, and improve program design. It would also allow for learner advising and navigation systems connecting individual experiences, skills, and priorities with relevant training, credential, and workforce data.

Data-driven decision-making enables:

Advisors to provide evidence-based guidance
Institutions to improve program quality
Policymakers to invest in high-value credentials
Learners to make informed education and career decisions

Colorado has made significant progress toward building a centralized Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). The SLDS connects education and workforce data across agencies, a tangible resource that will enable stakeholders to track outcomes across a learner’s educational and employment journey. The system will serve as a public good, designed to help individuals and policymakers make informed decisions and address opportunity gaps across communities.

Policy Enablers That Sustain Alignment: Fun fact: When I worked at the Colorado Department of Education 10 years ago, I was in the Office of Postsecondary Readiness — it’s now called the Office of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness. This evolution of language coincided with evolving policies to better align the education-to-workforce ecosystem.

Colorado has been building supportive policy frameworks to enable and sustain the human-centered design and data infrastructure outlined above. This has included:

Legislative and funding alignment advancing credential attainment and pathway design by requiring collaboration between higher education institutions and industry partners, provided investments in stackable credential development, and incentivized priority outcomes of work-based learning, industry recognized credentials, and college credit through accountability and funding mechanisms.
Cross-sector governance and collaboration via initiatives such as regional workforce partnerships, Opportunity Now grants, and the Governor’s recent order to create a unified postsecondary talent development system.
Accountability and transparency through data modernization efforts and credential evaluation frameworks supporting data as a public good, helping learners understand the economic value of education pathways and policymakers identify effective programs.

The Integrated Model: How These Policies Areas Reinforce Each Other

When I picture Colorado’s future integrated education-to-workforce ecosystem, I see individualized advising that helps learners select stackable credentials, transferability that ensures those credentials retain value, and accessible data that validates pathway effectiveness and provides learners with actionable information.

Colorado’s education-to-workforce system functions best when these policy areas operate together.

Career advising role of supporting human navigation helps learners understand pathways and make informed decisions
Stackable credentials allow for flexible pathway design which builds accessible and workforce-aligned learning options
Credit transferability provides structural continuity ensuring learners retain progress across transitions
Effective use of data and technology strengthens systems intelligence by measuring outcomes, improving programs, and clear decision-making tools

Colorado has built strong momentum toward an integrated education-to-workforce system. Sustaining this progress requires continued investment and leadership to maintain balance across lived human experience, technology infrastructure, and policy alignment. Together, these pillars can ensure that every learner and earner has access to pathways that lead to meaningful careers and long-term economic mobility.

Connecting with Partners Across Colorado, and Beyond

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:55:44 GMT

We’re excited to connect with partners across Colorado — and beyond — this February, as we deepen collaboration and continue learning together to advance system-level change. From the state Capitol to Arizona to New Orleans, we can’t wait to work alongside both longtime collaborators and new partners.

Here’s where you’ll find us this February:

��️ February 2–3
�� New Pathways: Arizona Convening – Phoenix, AZ
Libby will attend this two-day gathering hosted by Getting Smart , focused on designing a new, unbundled learning ecosystem for Arizona. The convening will spotlight innovative models like microschools and out-of-system learning, with an emphasis on community-powered pathways.

��️ February 4

�� The Next Chapter of A Stronger Nation: From Progress to Payoff – Virtual

Stefan and Katherine will join this Lumina Foundation webinar exploring national progress on postsecondary attainment.

��️ February 18–20

�� National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) Conference – New Orleans, LA

Stefan and Ashley will present on The Attainment Network’s work in the San Luis Valley, where partners are creating entry points and upskilling opportunities that lead to high-value, in-demand healthcare careers. Their session will highlight early outcomes and share strategies for building durable, cross-sector talent pipelines in rural communities.

��️ February 20

�� Navigate Your Health Career Summit – MSU Denver

Rana and Michelle will join students, faculty, and healthcare partners for this annual summit focused on helping high school, community college, and postsecondary learners explore careers in healthcare through storytelling, equity-centered sessions, and hands-on engagement. Rana will also serve on a panel exploring the wide variety of health careers and how students can access them.

��️ February 23

�� Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Day at the Capitol – Denver

Stefan and Michelle will represent The Attainment Network at the State Capitol. Sponsored by the Homegrown Talent Coalition , the event is designed to elevate career-connected learning and policy efforts that help Colorado learners earn college credit, industry credentials, and real-world experience.

��️ February 25

�� State of the Data Convening – Virtual

Join us from 1 to 2 p.m. for an update on the progress of Colorado’s Longitudinal Data System. Partners from OIT , the Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition , CEEMI , and The Attainment Network will share milestones, lessons learned, and what’s ahead. Register here

We hope to see you at one of these events, or hear from you if you're working on similar efforts in your region. Let's keep the momentum going!

Updates on Colorado’s Longitudinal Data System

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:42:27 GMT

Join us on February 25 for The State of the Data Convening

Please join us on February 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. for the next State of the Data Convening , an online conversation about the continued progress building Colorado’s Longitudinal Data System.

Leaders from the Office of Information Technology (OIT) , the Better Data for Better Decisions (BDBD) Coalition , the Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative (CEEMI), and The Attainment Network will share updates on recent milestones, lessons learned, and what to expect in the months ahead.

This is the fourth convening in our series and an opportunity for stakeholders across education, workforce, policy, research, and community organizations to stay informed and engaged as this important work moves forward.

�� Date: February 25
⏰ Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
�� Location: Virtual (Zoom)

This event is free and open to stakeholders of all professional backgrounds and levels of expertise .

�� R egister Here

We hope you’ll join us for this important update and discussion.

Rethinking Career Advising in Colorado

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:00:06 GMT

Colorado’s Moment of Opportunity

By Rana Tarkenton and Dr. Kim Poast

Colorado has made meaningful investments in career-connected learning over the last decade — from Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Concurrent Enrollment (CE), to Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs). Taken together, these investments signal a clear commitment to ensuring learners can connect education to opportunity.

And yet, for many learners, the system still feels hard to navigate.

Despite strong programs and passionate practitioners, our advising ecosystem remains fragmented. Learners often receive inconsistent guidance, unclear or competing messages, and uneven support depending on where they live or which system they happen to be in. Data reinforces what many of us hear anecdotally: too many people, especially young people, are unsure about their future, and too few feel equipped with the information and support they need to make confident decisions.

At the same time, Colorado is at an inflection point. With renewed attention on the state’s “Big 3” priorities and system transformation more broadly, we have a real opportunity to rethink career advising — not as a standalone service or a one-time interaction, but as the guiding thread that helps learners make sense of Colorado’s many investments in career-connected learning and workforce development, translating them into coherent, meaningful pathways.

In that spirit, we asked Rana and our long-time board member Dr. Kim Poast to reflect on what effective career advising looks like, where our current systems fall short, and how Colorado can move toward a more aligned, learner-centered advising ecosystem.

Q&A: Rethinking Career Advising

Q. When in your career have you seen a career advising system that truly worked for learners? What made it effective?

Kim : I go back to my experience at a community college, when we rolled out “red carpet days” for new students. There was an intentional collaboration among student advising, registrars, bursars, and academic departments to ensure that students were able to walk out of the day with a schedule in hand, understand their finances, and navigate their first days at the college. The emphasis of those days was to ensure that students were connected to someone who cared about them and that the system was easily understood. Because staff were in an “all hands on deck” mode, issues that arose could be immediately navigated — whether that was a question about how to pay for books or what major related to a job in the future. Of course, there are not always opportunities to ensure this kind of collaboration happens all at the same time. But the ability to connect with students exactly where they were was key to ensuring a successful journey.

A few years ago, I was reintroduced to a student I had met 20 years earlier. He told me that he had been in my office once and said, “I don’t remember what we talked about, but I do remember how that meeting made me feel — you made me feel like I was important, and that mattered.” I think about that a lot and truly believe that this is one thing we are missing: that personal connection with other humans and making them feel that their experiences are relevant and important.

Rana : One of the strongest examples I’ve seen of a career advising system that truly worked for learners was when I was working in Boston at the Higher Education Information Center. The center functioned as a community-based resource, serving learners from high school through adulthood, and it was intentionally designed to meet people where they were in their educational and career journeys.

Advisors were trained to thoughtfully intake learners, assess their needs, interests, skills, and aptitudes, and then tailor advising based on each individual’s context. A high schooler exploring future possibilities received a very different kind of guidance than an adult learner looking to upskill or return to education — and that differentiation was a strength, not a limitation.

Equity was central to the model. Located in the basement of the Boston Public Library, the center was accessible by public transportation and embedded in a public space that truly belonged to the community. It wasn’t reserved for students on a traditional college-going path. Instead, it made high-quality postsecondary advising available to anyone — high school students planning their next step, adults navigating career transitions, or learners at any point in between. Over time, it became a trusted place the community knew it could return to again and again.

What also set the center apart was the depth of expertise among its advisors and volunteers. In a city with a dense and complex higher education landscape, advisors had specialized knowledge across the full spectrum of options — from certificates and associate degrees to four-year programs and beyond. There were staff trained in financial aid, career exploration, and postsecondary options, allowing the center to support learners with a wide range of goals and needs.

Most importantly, the model seamlessly bridged K-12 education, higher education, and workforce systems. Advising wasn’t siloed or transactional; it was relationship-based, informed by strong training and real-time knowledge, and designed to support lifelong learning. That kind of unified approach is what I believe is still missing in Colorado today — a system at scale that creates access to shared tools, trusted guidance, and individualized support for any learner, at any stage of their journey.

Q. Based on what we know from Colorado’s landscape analysis, what are our biggest challenges with our current approach to career advising?

Rana : One of Colorado’s biggest constraints right now isn’t our policy environment — in fact, in many ways, it’s one of our strengths. The state’s newly elevated “Big 3” priorities — postsecondary credit, work-based learning, and industry-recognized credentials — give education providers and system leaders clear signals about what matters and where learners should focus to build skills, experiences, and credentials that lead to family-sustaining, thriving careers.

Where we continue to struggle is with seamless navigation.

Learners are often left to figure out on their own how to access careers and career-connected learning opportunities like postsecondary credit, work-based learning, or industry-recognized credentials, especially individuals who are not in a formal learning environment; how to determine which opportunities are high quality; how to document and communicate what they’ve learned to employers or education providers; and how to ensure that these experiences actually stack and align with their long-term aspirations.

Kim : Everything Rana said — and our advising system remains fragmented. The quality of advising varies widely, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities. Advisors often carry caseloads that are simply too large to manage effectively and may lack consistent training, access to real-time information, or the tools and time needed to provide ongoing, relationship-based support. In postsecondary settings, advising functions are also often disconnected from academic centers that have the most up-to-date information on major requirements, which can further complicate guidance for students.

We also lack shared accountability, coordinated messaging across systems, and portable learner data that follows students as they move between K–12, postsecondary education, and the workforce. The result is that learners receive mixed messages and uneven support — even as they are being asked to navigate increasingly complex pathways. Addressing these challenges isn’t about creating more programs; it’s about ensuring learners experience a streamlined, coherent system that truly supports their goals.

Q. With the “Big 3” priorities now front and center, how should our advising systems evolve to support learner navigation across these opportunities?

Rana : For the Big 3 to truly set a strong foundation for learners, advising systems must evolve to actively support more fluid navigation. Learners need help prioritizing opportunities, understanding how they connect to different goals, and deciding which pathways make the most sense at different points in their journeys.

One of the most important levers we have is the Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). While there has been a lot of effort to ensure ICAP plays a meaningful role in high school, its potential is far greater. It could be used more intentionally beyond 12th grade and made portable to postsecondary enrollment and workforce settings. Career planning shouldn’t end at graduation. ICAP should be a living tool that learners continue to build on as they move into postsecondary education, training, and the workforce.

Kim : Stronger communication and coordination across schools, colleges, and employers is also essential. Learners shouldn’t have to re-explain or re-document their experiences each time they move between systems, and advisors shouldn’t be working with partial or outdated information. We need systems where information is accessible and usable in real time — both for learners and for those advising them.

That also means investing in the people doing the work. Advisors need access to real-time labor market data, ongoing professional learning, and shared tools that help them connect education and training to real career opportunities. Career advising should be professionalized and treated as a foundational skill across K-12, higher education, and workforce settings — not confined to a single role or institution.

Tune into future editions of The Attainable as Rana and Kim share The Attainment Network’s 2026 efforts to advance the best practices in career advising and nurture systems that truly serve learners, employers, and communities across Colorado.

Kicking off the New Year with Collaboration and Learning

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:27:06 GMT

We’ve hit the ground running in this new year, and we are so excited about the work ahead with our partners across the state. From financial literacy fairs to rural workforce strategy sessions to celebrating our shared successes, The Attainment Network team is diving into 2026 with purpose and partnership.

Here’s where you can find us this January:

��️ January 20
��Jeffco Public Schools State of the District — Lakewood
Rana will join Jeffco Public Schools to celebrate recent achievements and to hear an update from Superintendent Tracy Dorland on the district’s progress, priorities and vision for the future.

�� Opportunity Now Celebration — Governor’s Residence, Denver
Rana and Stefan will attend this special event hosted by OEDIT to celebrate the continued success of the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program. Recipients will be announced of new performance-based grants to strengthen Colorado’s education-to-employment ecosystem.

��️ January 23
�� Northfield FAB Life (Financial Literacy) Fair — Denver
Michelle will support ECMC’s FAB Life event at Northfield High School, where students will take part in an interactive simulation to build real-world financial literacy skills.

��️ January 27
�� Alamosa Economic Development Meeting — Alamosa
Ashley will join regional leaders in the San Luis Valley for this recurring convening to align on economic development priorities and explore workforce collaboration opportunities.

��️ January 28
�� COBRT State of the State with Governor Polis — Denver
Rana will attend the Colorado Business Roundtable’s State of the State gathering, featuring Governor Jared Polis and business, education, and civic leaders discussing Colorado’s economic and policy outlook.

We’re excited to be back in action after a restful holiday break. If you’ll be at any of these events we’d love to connect!

We’re Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:04:18 GMT

We’ve been busy this month! So busy, in fact, that we’re a tiny bit late in sharing all the places and spaces our team will be visiting. As 2025 winds down, we are looking forward to learning, sharing, and connecting with partners across the state and the nation who share our commitment to education-to-career transformation.

��️ December 2–5

�� CivicLab Convening – Savannah, GA

Libby joined this national gathering hosted by CivicLab, focused on strengthening civic infrastructure, collaboration, and systems change.

��️ December 5

�� Young Invincibles Policy Shark Tank – Denver

Katherine and Michelle attended this exciting event to hear young leaders pitch their policy ideas across education, workforce, and health.

�� Prosperity and Progress Celebration – Denver

Rana, Michelle, and Katherine joined partners and Prosperity Denver Fund to celebrate the impact of collective investments in student success and economic mobility and to celebrate the unveiling of their new logo and branding campaign

��️ December 10

�� Cañon City ICAP in Action Tour – Cañon City

Ashley and SLV partners will tour Cañon City High School’s Innovation Center to learn from their success with ICAP implementation and career exploration programming.

�� Release of Talent Development Recommendations – Denver

Rana will join other state, education and workforce leaders for the release of the state agency recommendations required by Governor Polis’ Executive Order to reimagine Colorado’s talent development systems.

��️ December 11
�� Emily Griffith Foundation Holiday Party – Denver
Rana is joining partners and friends for this annual celebration of Emily Griffith Foundation’s work and impact.

��️ December 16

�� Talent Pipeline Report Release – Virtual
We’re all tuning into as the Colorado Workforce Development council releases the 2025 Colorado Talent Pipeline Report . We’re excited to see the data on workforce supply and demand, hear about the most in-demand occupations, and explore policy recommendations to strengthen Colorado’s talent ecosystem.

�� Introduction to Workforce Pell Webinar – Virtual
Michelle will attend this national webinar exploring the rollout of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and expanded Pell Grant access for short-term workforce programs.

��️ December 24 - January 2
Our team will be slowing down over the holidays, reflecting on a year of growth, learning, and collaboration – and refueling for a new year full of partnership and progress.

A Year of Progress, Partnership, and Purpose

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:48:15 GMT

This has been a difficult year for Colorado’s educators and system leaders, who have carried the weight of economic uncertainty, public pressure, and shifting demands on both K-12 and higher education. Their challenges prompted us to pause and consider what it truly means to serve as an intermediary and a supportive partner. We found ourselves acting with intention to clarify where we can add the most value and ensure that our work meets the moment

At the same time, 2025 has been one of transition and transformation for The Attainment Network. A leadership transition, the launch of new learning opportunities for our partners, and the addition of new areas of consulting engagements have required much from our team and reaffirmed our commitment to equitable career-connected learning opportunities in Colorado.

Through it all I’ve been reminded how systems change happens – not in giant leaps, but in the steady steps of people with a shared purpose.

Stepping into the role of CEO last April was both centering and energizing. Over the course of my career, I’ve focused on helping learners and earners succeed – creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting growth – and taking on this leadership role at this moment underscored the importance of our work and the commitment it requires. The stakes feel higher, the opportunities more profound, and what gives me the greatest optimism isn’t just what we accomplished this year, but how we showed up: with authenticity, humility, and a solution-oriented mindset; by supporting each other to meet a high bar of excellence; and by staying centered on the learners and earners who rely on us. I’m deeply grateful to lead alongside a team and partners who approach this work with care, clarity, and unwavering commitment, especially at a time when it matters so much.

One of the most tangible demonstrations of this commitment was the launch of our professional learning series. What began as a simple question – How can we continue to support and foster our community of professionals who are dedicated to reshaping education-to-workforce systems? – evolved into a statewide learning series for more than a thousand people. Our Professional Learning Series became a space where partners could share promising practices as well as wrestle with challenges. And our annual Learner Voice Symposium lifted up the perspectives of learners and earners as we think about the career advising systems we’ll need to realize the promise of our state’s Big Three priorities around postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning. Our events affirmed what we’ve long believed: when people have a strong community of professional support, systems get stronger.

This spirit of focus and alignment also led us to elevate career advising as a priority area. Colorado has made significant investments in career-connected learning and workforce development – from CTE and concurrent enrollment to industry-recognized credentials, work-based learning, skills-based hiring, career-connected campuses, apprenticeships, and the substantial Opportunity Now grants. Yet our 2025 Colorado Career Advising Report shows that learners still face a fragmented advising landscape. By focusing more deeply on career advising, we are addressing the connective tissue of the system – the personalized, holistic guidance that helps learners make sense of their experiences, purpose, and possibilities – and ensuring Colorado’s investments translate into clear, attainable pathways for every learner and earner.

And this year, we saw what’s possible when communities rally around a shared vision. In the San Luis Valley, we celebrated one year of partnership and reached major milestones in workforce development – including expanding pathways to high-value, in-demand healthcare careers at 11 high schools in the Valley. This partnership showed what local leaders can accomplish when supported by an intermediary focused on aligning systems, building capacity, and maintaining momentum towards outcomes.

This year also marked the continued evolution of our consulting work, as new and existing partners turned to The Attainment Network for strategic guidance and implementation support. We partnered with Apprenticeship Colorado to host a statewide webinar that helped employers and practitioners better understand the underpinnings of effective apprenticeships. We stepped into new terrain with Elevate Quantum, being selected to develop a strategic communications plan for an emerging career pathways that can feel intimidating – even mysterious – but which holds extraordinary promise for Colorado’s economic future. And with Colorado Workforce Development Council, we gathered stakeholder feedback to inform the state’s interests in developing a system for learning and employment records (LERs) that would make comprehensive, portable, digital records of learners’ skills, achievements, and education that they can easily access and control. …….

Across all of this work, one theme kept resurfacing: Colorado’s future will be built through intentional partnership. When community and industry leaders, educators, funders, and policymakers – with the support of intermediaries – work in partnership, something powerful happens. The barriers start falling away as we take steady steps together to build an education-to-workforce system that supports learners and earners and meets critical workforce needs.

To everyone who partnered with us this year – thank you. Your dedication, your curiosity, and your belief in what’s possible are what strengthens our communities.

Here’s to our momentum-building partnership in 2025 – and the future we’re creating together.

— Rana Tarkenton, CEO
The Attainment Network

Cracking into Quantum; Building the Workforce of the Future

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:04:12 GMT

Ask anyone on the street what they know about the nascent quantum industry, and after the initial blank stare, they’re likely to mention the Quantum Realm from The Avengers . But the coming quantum revolution isn’t fiction. It’s real, and it’s poised to power next-generation quantum computers, sensors, and secure communication systems that will transform industries across Colorado and the world.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has made quantum technology a top statewide priority, calling it a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position Colorado as a national hub for innovation and high-value careers. Leaders in Arizona and New Mexico are also on the leading edge of this emerging industry. Through the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub , education, industry, and government partners across the region are working together to define and build the talent pipeline needed to fuel this fast-growing field.

To support the effort, they selected The Attainment Network to provide guidance on engaging and communicating with key stakeholders in the K-12, postsecondary, and workforce sectors. The first assignment? Craft a messaging strategy that demystifies quantum , explaining it in simple terms that don’t require a Ph.D. in physics to understand.

Easy, right?

“Quantum may sound intimidating, but many of the jobs that will be available in the future won’t require a Ph.D., said Rana Tarkenton , CEO of The Attainment Network. “A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree can translate into a high-value job of the future , so it will be critical to connect and engage stakeholders with easy-to-understand language about the variety of opportunities ahead.”

As an intermediary organization , The Attainment Network specializes in connecting systems and providing clarity amidst the complexity.

“Our collaboration with Elevate Quantum INCLUDE through the National Center for Women & Information Technology is a perfect fit for us,” Rana said. “We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to help partners across the region align around a communications strategy that will drive collaboration and coordinate the outreach and engagement needed to build equitable opportunities to participate in this exciting field.”

Stay tuned for news and updates about this developing project. We’ve just begun our exploration with stakeholders, but early conversations are already revealing exciting opportunities to align partners and simplify the story around quantum . As The Attainment Network continues to gather insights, the focus remains on helping learners and earners, educators, and entire communities see themselves in the region's quantum future.

Building a Culture of Evidence, Together

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:57:55 GMT

Beyond Data: Using Evidence for Informed Decision Making

In late September, The Attainment Network joined partners from across Colorado at Evidence Builders: Creating a Colorado Culture of Impact , a retreat hosted by the Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative (CEEMI). The event brought together funders, policymakers, data experts, and intermediaries to explore how evidence and evaluation can strengthen Colorado’s education-to-workforce ecosystem.

We recently sat down with our CEO Rana Tarkenton and our Senior Director of Data, Evaluation, and Technology Stefan Richarz to learn about key takeaways from the conference.

Q: You both recently attended CEEMI’s Evidence Builders retreat in Beaver Creek. What stood out most from the experience?

Stefan : For me, I’m still sitting with just how amazing it was to have a small but deeply invested group of leaders talking about the actual why of data in education-to-career systems, pushing beyond the surface and asking the important questions of how data can be used to make evidence-based decisions, use resources efficiently, and ensure our work has the intended impact for learners and earners as well as our communities.

Evidence Builders was a short event (only one full day and two half days) and relatively small (about 60 people) but I have to hand it to Roger Low and his team at CEEMI for putting on what I thought was one of the most needed, thought provoking, and honestly inspirational events I have attended in a long time. I think two things made the event so uniquely impactful: 1) it bridged so many critical roles and perspectives in an ecosystem that rarely sees them in the same room, including policy makers, funders, state agency leaders, other intermediaries, and data/evaluation experts; and 2) there was an intentional focus on why we value data so much in our space and how to push beyond thinking just about “data for data’s sake” and into building and using evidence to make the best possible decisions.

Q: Rana, from your perspective as CEO, what larger lessons did this retreat surface about evidence and learning culture?

Rana : For me, this convening was a reminder that evidence isn’t just about what we know, it’s about what we choose to do with that knowledge to create opportunity and impact.

There is a process to building evidence, and you have to start somewhere. It’s okay if you don’t have everything proven and documented yet. What matters is designing programs so they can be evaluated and improved over time. That’s how we move from evidence-informed to promising to proven . It takes patience, humility, and persistence, but progress starts with a willingness to learn.

Q: What were some of the big questions or ideas that resonated for you during the discussions?

Stefan : How do we push beyond thinking about program outputs and think about actual outcomes? How do we know our efforts lead to quality jobs, good wages, and improved lives? And even when we know all this, how do we ensure that decision makers understand all this and actually use it to inform their decisions?

In my almost 20 years working in Colorado’s educational data systems, this convening pushed these questions the furthest and included leaders and experts from every juncture of the data lifespan. In the space CEEMI created, we heard candidly from everyone on what the challenges are, why data and evidence have or have not worked for their needs, and what we need to do collectively to work toward having a foundation of evidence-informed decision making for policy making and programs across our communities.

Q: Stefan, you were also part of a panel discussion on Colorado’s State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). What was your focus there?

Stefan : I was humbled to be asked by CEEMI to participate in a panel discussion about Colorado’s State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) implementation, specifically elevating our collaborative effort to partner with the state, make sense of the system to our stakeholders, and translate the value and importance of this massive undertaking.

As I’ve learned repeatedly over the last year and a half of the SLDS implementation, communication and bridge building are maybe the most important part of this technical project – you can build a fancy engine but if you don’t have wheels on the car it’s not going anywhere. This event with CEEMI was a great opportunity to get in front of our legislators and funding community to help bridge the why of the SLDS, and I was thankful to be asked to be a part of it.

It was also so cool to see Ashley Maestas who leads our San Luis Valley Partnership once again represent the good work down there and speak to how all this Front Range conversation translates to Colorado’s rural communities. Ashley is a recognized leader in her Valley community, and it was great to watch the appreciation and reactions in the room from statewide leaders. I’m so proud to be her teammate!

Q: How does this idea of evidence-building connect to The Attainment Network’s own approach?

Rana : For The Attainment Network, the CEEMI event was deeply validating of our approach. When our organization began to grow, the first position we added was a Director of Data and Evaluation (thank you, Stefan!). We knew that to fulfill our mission, we had to invest in data early and meaningfully. We don’t have the time or resources to invest in things that don’t work, so we commit to adopting evidence-informed practices, evaluating them, adjusting, and evaluating again. That continuous cycle of learning and implementation is at the heart of our work.

Now, we’re embarking on a multi-year evaluation in the San Luis Valley to test and strengthen our approach, not just for our own learning but to contribute to Colorado’s evidence-building community and identify the most impactful elements for future expansion. We’re measuring the impact of all our strategies, including Project QUEST, a proven program adapted for local needs at the community’s request. If successful, we’ll build on these results to extend and deepen what works, continuing to strengthen the evidence of what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

And in all of this, one reminder stands out: don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good. We may not always have the resources for randomized control trials, but there are many valid ways to build and use evidence. The key is to start, stay curious, and stay committed.

When we lead with clarity of purpose and shared understanding, data becomes a bridge between intention and impact, and that’s how we build systems that don’t just work better but work for everyone.

Q. Is this work getting funded? And what do potential funders need to know about evidence building?

Rana : To do quality evaluation, it’s essential to have support from informed funders — and several who were at the Evidence Builders convening truly get it. Rigorous evaluation takes both time and resources, and that investment is what allows organizations to learn, adapt, and strengthen their impact. We need more funders who are willing to invest not only in programs themselves but also in the continuous improvement of those programs. That’s how we move from promising practices to proven results.

Q: You’ve both mentioned “culture of learning” and “continuous improvement.” How do those ideas show up in your work going forward?

Rana : One of the most powerful themes throughout the event was the focus on continuous improvement. Concepts like process improvement, change management, LEAN, and learning mindsets aren’t just operational tools; they are the habits that move us toward a true culture of learning. When program leaders and policymakers embrace these habits, we create the conditions for evidence-building to thrive. Because evidence-informed decision making isn’t just technical, it’s cultural. It requires buy-in, trust, and time. But you have to start somewhere by engaging the doers, the decision makers, and everyone in between.

Stefan : The Evidence Builders event really pushed my thinking in many ways and already has me considering how we bring this conversation to our partners. Of course we have our Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition (to whom I already raved about the event) and our State of the Data event coming up in 2026 where we will no doubt be asking our partners at CEEMI to represent, but more broadly I am thinking about how the ecosystem is craving evidence and so many program leaders don’t know where to start or have the resources to build it out.

Building a data collection process, logic model, theory of change, and tracking multi-year outcomes for your participants is a lot of work, and I see every day folks needing help in those spaces. Envisioning how we can help build resources, clear guidance, and support each other has to be part of this, and that’s why I love my role at The Attainment Network – we get to do that good work daily. CEEMI really put so many pieces together into such a clear vision, looking forward to translating that clarity to our work across Colorado!

Closing Reflection
Events like Evidence Builders remind us that just collecting data doesn’t result in system change. Real change requires people who are willing to learn, share, and build evidence together. We are incredibly grateful to CEEMI and our other partners across Colorado who are committed to using data to drive programmatic decisions designed to increase opportunities for learners and earners across Colorado.

We’re Growing! Join The Attainment Network Team

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:03:43 GMT

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

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:07:18 GMT

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.

Centering Career Navigation with Learner and Earner Voices

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:43:49 GMT

Highlights from the 2025 Learner Voice Symposium

Our 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium brought together educators, employers, policymakers, and – most importantly – learners and earners to explore how Colorado can build career navigation systems that reflect learners’ real experiences, aspirations, and needs.

A clear theme emerged throughout the morning: Career advising works best when it’s shaped by learner and earner voices and backed by strong, coordinated systems that help learners thrive.

View our video highlights of the Symposium:

Keynote Highlight: Leaning In

Dr. Roberto Montoya, Senior Vice President at Colorado Mesa University, spoke with warmth and humility as he shared how CMU is “leaning in” at a moment when many institutions are cutting back – doubling the size of its advising team and embedding advisors across campuses to support the whole student.

“Our a dvisors don’t just process forms; they build trust, look students in the eye, and say, ‘You belong here,’” said Dr. Montoya.

From Apprenticeships to Data Tools

Presenters in our seven breakout sessions emphasized that strong advising and mentoring relationships help learners stay motivated, navigate complexity, and see themselves in high-value careers.

CareerWise shared how the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship program is supporting future teachers in rural Colorado as they blend work and learning.
ActivateWork demonstrated how data tools can help learners make informed, timely decisions by showing clear wage and employment trajectories.
Ednium explored how their five principles of agency can frame a new way of supporting learners,
CEI partners in the field shared on how they use student voice to shape decision making and enhance their pathway programs;
MSU Denver’s Brewery Science Program , the Denver Botanic Gardens , and the C2Hub Industry Partnership Team showed how hands-on training deepens learners’ industry skills.
Careers in Construction Colorado shared their approach to developing strong relationships with both learners and employers to help each effectively navigate workforce challenges.
The San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership shared upskilling strategies that are building a homegrown pipeline of healthcare professionals.

�� Access all session slides and resources here »

Now is the Time to Focus on Career Advising

With recent legislation requiring all high school students to complete a credential, postsecondary coursework, or work-based learning – the L/Earner Voice Symposium came at the perfect time to ensure our career advising systems and practices are aligned, accessible, relevant, and grounded in the voices of those navigating their careers.

Many thanks to our sponsors, CareerWise, Better Data for Better Decisions, and CHFA. Their generous support enabled this event to be provided at no cost to all educators, employers and policymakers committed to strengthening career-connected learning across Colorado.

Reanna Werner on the Engines of Economic Vitality

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:00:11 GMT

Reanna Werner, Co-Founder of Savvion HQ in Colorado Springs, brings a unique blend of experience across human resources, workforce development, and small business leadership to her role on The Attainment Network Board. Reanna is deeply committed to building resilient talent pathways that support both learner success and business growth. In this Board Spotlight , she shares the motivation behind her involvement, a piece of advice that still shapes her leadership, and why aligning education and workforce systems is critical to Colorado’s economic future.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you?
I joined The Attainment Network because I believe education and workforce development are the engines of economic vitality. Ensuring we have a skilled workforce not only opens doors for learners and earners, it strengthens businesses and communities alike. My background in HR, apprenticeships, and workforce partnerships has shown me that when people are equipped with skills and pathways to grow, entire regions thrive.

Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?
My career has given me a 360-degree view of the education-to-workforce pipeline. From leading corporate HR to running my own business, to advising small businesses, and working directly within workforce systems, I’ve been able to see both sides of the equation—what employers truly need and what learners are prepared to bring. That perspective has shown me the importance of aligning education with the rapidly changing demands of industry, especially as technology, skills, and business models evolve.

I’ve also seen how critical it is to support learners with not only technical skills, but also pathways, mentorship, and access to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Meeting industry needs isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about building adaptable, resilient talent pipelines that benefit both employers and communities.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
A piece of advice that has always stayed with me came from my former boss and mentor, who told me to “always sit in the front row.” It’s simple but powerful—by sitting up front, you stay more engaged, retain more, and position yourself to be noticed. Over time, I’ve seen how true this is, not just in classrooms or meetings, but in every professional setting. Those who lean in, take the front row, and fully engage often find more opportunities for growth and advancement.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
What excites me most about the future of The Attainment Network is its ability to directly strengthen Colorado’s economic vitality. By aligning education and workforce systems, we can ensure employers have access to the skilled talent they need to innovate and grow. That not only fuels business competitiveness but also creates more resilient career pathways for learners and earners. The result is a stronger, more adaptable workforce that drives prosperity for entire communities across the state.

Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
It’s hard for me to pick just one book—I usually have four to six going at a time. Right now, I’m reading $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi as part of an office book club, A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger, and re-reading Traction by Gino Wickman. Each one challenges me to think differently about growth, leadership, and problem-solving. And alongside those, I always keep my Bible close as a source of grounding and perspective.

I’d recommend all of them for different reasons: Hormozi for entrepreneurial strategy, Berger for cultivating curiosity, Wickman for business discipline, and the Bible for timeless wisdom and reflection.

Intermediaries Are Key to Building Education-to-Career Pathways That Work

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:09:46 GMT

Catalysts for Connection: The Critical Role of Intermediaries in Education-to-Career Pathways

For years, people have asked us some version of the same question: “So… what exactly is The Attainment Network?”

It’s a fair question. We’re not part of a school district, and we don’t just work with colleges and universities. We’re not an apprenticeship organization or connected to any employer or specific industry.

We don’t fit neatly into any one lane—because our job is to make sure the whole education-to-career journey is coordinated.

The Attainment Network is an intermediary, and let’s admit it: the term intermediary —can feel a little… squishy. Like a middle layer—hard to define but somehow essential. We’ve even joked about it ourselves. Over time, though, we’ve come to see ourselves in this word. While the term may sound a little squishy, the work is anything but. The Attainment Network and other intermediaries play a critical and concrete role in making education-to-career systems work for learners.

For too long, our high schools, higher education institutions, and employers have been operating in isolation, each within their own silos. This disjointed system no longer meets the needs of learners or our employers. Students and families know it. Nearly three-quarters of high school students say they want a career plan in place by graduation (ECMC Question the Quo Survey, 2022), and 81% say learning the skills they need to succeed is an important factor in their postsecondary decisions.

Cross-sector collaboration is essential, but it’s hard. Stakeholders often speak different languages, frame goals differently, and approach their work from varying perspectives. Yet everyone shares a common commitment to serving learners and strengthening communities. Still, without consistent leadership, practical structure, and dedication to shared problem-solving, career pathways that bridge high school, postsecondary, and the workforce are nearly impossible to build and sustain.

This is where intermediaries step in.

Intermediary: Not So Squishy After All

In plain terms, an intermediary provides the glue that holds complex partnerships together. At our best, intermediaries bring deep ecosystem knowledge, access to resources, and expertise in diplomacy to help diverse partners define and work toward shared goals.

We often describe the intermediary role with a mix of metaphors because it’s many things at once. An intermediary is part project manager and part subject matter expert; part stage manager who stays behind the curtain so others can shine; part kindergarten teacher helping everyone in the sandbox learn to share; part “critical friend” who offers tough love; and part cheerleader who lifts up success and keeps momentum going.

We do far more than manage logistics. We help shape a common vision, build local capacity, and ensure equity is embedded at every step. We build the trust needed among partners who may sometimes feel like competitors—creating the conditions to share data, align quality standards and measures of success, and show up consistently.

More specifically, an intermediary keeps systems moving forward by:

Convening diverse partners across sectors to co-design pathways and drive collective action.
Enabling collaboration by creating the structures and supports that allow educators, employers, and community partners to focus on a shared vision.
Operationalizing complex ideas, especially in the data sphere, by translating statewide frameworks and metrics into practical, usable tools that help communities align and measure progress.
Securing and aligning funding , helping to braid and direct resources that fuel innovation and sustain impact.
Advocating for career-connected pathways as rigorous, relevant, and equitable options, shifting narratives and influencing policy and practice.

Bottom line: intermediaries live by the idea that we are better together—more effective, more efficient, more impactful, more aligned, and more able to deliver on the shared goals of the people and communities we serve.

The Attainment Network is one such intermediary, with proven experience supporting Colorado communities. We don’t arrive with pre-packaged solutions. Instead, we meet communities where they are, drawing from best and promising practices, connecting local efforts to state-level feedback loops, and keeping learner and community voice at the center. This systems-change orientation is core to who we are.

The Secret Sauce in the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership

The power of the intermediary role comes alive in places like Colorado’s San Luis Valley (SLV). Through the SLV Career-Connected Partnership—made up of more than two dozen active partners—we’ve joined local school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and nonprofits to develop a shared vision and goals for career-connected learning and to execute the action plan that turns that vision into reality.

Together, we’re not only co-creating strategy but also supporting on-the-ground implementation: adapting to local needs while building partner capacity, keeping equity at the forefront, providing consistency through transitions, and strengthening employer engagement strategies. This work is creating a sustainable nursing pipeline to meet local needs, with the next step being expansion and replication in other industries.

The Attainment Network’s Unique Role in Colorado

The Attainment Network plays a unique role in Colorado’s education-to-workforce ecosystem, working at the intersection of implementation and policy to bring about real systems change. We help communities design and deliver high-quality, equity-focused solutions that meet their workforce needs while elevating the work to policymakers to inform efforts to scale effective models.

We know that lasting change happens only when the full education-to-career system is aligned, so we bring K-12, higher education, employers, and community organizations to the table. We build activated partnerships and nurture the collaboration needed to align complex systems and achieve measurable results.
We don’t bring pre-packaged solutions to our partners. We start at the beginning by identifying the strengths, resources, and knowledge already present in the community. Only then do we provide tailored coaching, technical assistance, and resources to build their capacity to strengthen their own systems.
Our trusted relationships with both state and local policymakers enable us to serve as a translator—helping communities understand policy shifts while elevating the work to state leaders so they can see how their policies play out in practice.
Because all of this work is emergent, we know that approaching it through a learning lens is essential. There simply is no established playbook for constructing and sustaining a career-connected learning ecosystem. We work to identify learnings, codify best practices and share out among partners.

In rural Colorado, for example, we’re working alongside our partners to pinpoint workforce needs and identify additional intermediaries with subject matter expertise in industries like construction and skilled trades. We’re demonstrating how intermediaries help communities reach more learners and expand proven models to new geographies and new industries.

We’re also leaning into emerging fields like quantum. Our unique approach is informing the communications strategy for the implementation of Colorado’s quantum career pathways. We are synthesizing insights from educators, learners, employers, state leaders, private sector partners, and both rural and urban communities to create a strategic communications plan for the regional initiative spanning Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.

We’re also evolving our work to focus on career advising and navigation to support the high-quality implementation of the “Big 3” (concurrent enrollment, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning) to ensure the success of all the state’s work on career-connected pathways. And we’re partnering with other intermediaries to provide insights into the state’s longitudinal data system to ensure its effectiveness.

Call to Action

There are real challenges in our field: thin capacity, confusion about the need for and value of intermediaries, an increasingly crowded intermediary space, heavy reliance on short-term philanthropy, and no infrastructure for sharing tools, data, and best practices.

But here’s what we believe: intermediaries sit at a unique vantage point in the education-to-workforce ecosystem. The challenges of unstable funding, fragmented data, uneven employer engagement, and shifting policy landscapes also serve as openings for innovation, alignment, and leadership. By clarifying our value, deepening partnerships, and centering equity, intermediaries can move from being perceived as only a “middle layer” to being recognized as essential catalysts for systems change and lasting impact.

Now is the time to maximize these critical functions, deepen our collaboration—both among institutions that connect to intermediaries and between intermediaries —and deliver on the promise of education and training systems that truly provide economic prosperity for all.

When systems connect, learners thrive. Intermediaries make that connection possible.

Written by Rana Tarkenton , CEO, and Andrea Stiles Pullas , Board Chair of The Attainment Network.

San Luis Valley Partnership Honored for Innovative Use of Virtual Reality Technology

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:43:00 GMT

On behalf of the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Pathways Partnership , The Attainment Network was proud to accept the Power of Partnership Trailblazer Award from Transfr for the innovative use of virtual reality to expand career exploration opportunities for rural learners.

Through a collaboration between local school districts , the Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley , and The Attainment Network , VR headsets are bringing immersive, hands-on career exploration experiences directly to learners across the region. Special thanks to the LOR Foundation and CHFA for generously donating the headsets , which make these high-quality opportunities possible.

We’re honored to be part of this extraordinary partnership. We’re proving that innovation can bridge gaps and expand opportunities for learners across rural Colorado.

Rural Innovation Driving Career-Connected Pathways

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:34:42 GMT

As part of The Attainment Network’s ongoing Professional Learning Series , last week we hosted a case study highlighting the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Pathways Partnership – a powerful example of how rural communities are meeting critical healthcare workforce needs while creating economic mobility for learners and earners.

Participants from across the state joined us to hear inspiring stories from students, employers, and educators working together to build and sustain healthcare pathways in the San Luis Valley.

Key Takeaways

Grow-your-own approach
Local healthcare employers in the San Luis Valley are fully engaged with secondary and postsecondary educators, and community organizations to develop an effective, locally rooted talent pipeline.

Innovative strategies
A mobile learning lab, VR headsets, dual credit options, and paid internships are bringing high-quality training and career exploration opportunities directly to students – starting in high school.

Upskilling with support
Wraparound supports such as childcare, transportation, and career navigation are critical to the success of learners and earners.

Partnership and communication
Cross-sector collaboration, with The Attainment Network serving as an intermediary, ensures alignment, accountability, and shared impact.

A roadmap for the future
Building on healthcare successes, partners see this model as a way forward for other industries across Colorado.

Access Webinar Materials

View the slides
View the recording | Passcode: B?d$k2tS

For additional information about the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Pathways Partnership, please contact Ashley Maestas , Pathways Director at The Attainment Network, at ashley@attainmentnetwork.org.

Connecting Across Colorado and Beyond this October

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:46:22 GMT

Our schedule this fall is filled with events and opportunities that elevate learner and earner voices, strengthen rural and statewide partnerships, and connect us to others working to shape what’s next for Colorado’s education-to-workforce ecosystem. From engaging in conversations about the quantum industry to attending career narrative workshops, our team will be in rooms – and Zooms – across the state and beyond.

Here’s where you can find us this October:

��️ October 2
�� L/Earner Voice Symposium – Virtual
It’s not too late to join us for our L/Earner Voice Symposium, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 2. We’re centering learners and earners in conversations about reimagining career advising systems. Register Here.

��️ October 5–7
�� New York City
Ashley will travel to NYC with a special partner for a surprise announcement. Check back for all the details!

��️ October 8
�� Homegrown Talent Coalition Happy Hour – Denver
Stefan looks forward to connecting with partners and supporters at Bigsby’s Folly to celebrate the progress of locally grown, community-driven career pathways.

��️ October 9–10
�� Colorado Project 2.0 Learning Tour – Steamboat Springs
Ashley will continue this learning tour, hosted by the Scrivner Institute and the Joseph Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at DU, exploring innovation and collaboration in Northwest Colorado.

��️ October 14
�� San Luis Valley All-Partner Meeting – Virtual
Rana, Ashley and Katherine are excited to connect with our SLV partners to share updates and align on next steps to advance healthcare and career-connected learning pathways.

��️ October 17
�� Quantum Leap Forward Day – Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood
Michelle and Katherine will join School administrators and curriculum coordinators, and K–12 and CTE educators across all subjects for a hands-on workshop introducing quantum science and strategies to spark student interest and integrate quantum concepts into classrooms across Colorado.

��️ October 19–21
�� Global Innovation Summit + Competitiveness Conversations – Pittsburgh, PA
Michelle will represent The Attainment Network at this national convening focused on innovation at the intersection of health, AI, and workforce transformation.

��️ October 23
�� Rocky Mountain Partnership – State of the Partnership Luncheon – Denver
Michelle and Rana will attend this annual event to celebrat e Rocky Mountain Partnership’s progress and continue the work of ensuring 71,000 young people reach key milestones by 2030.

��️ October 24
�� Colorado Career Development Association Fall Conference: "The Stories We Live” – Virtual
Libby will participate in this professional learning event focused on the power of narrative tools to enhance career development conversations with learners of all ages.

We hope to see you at some of these events – or hear from you if you're working on similar efforts. We’re always eager to connect, collaborate, and amplify what's working.

Leading with Purpose: Five Reflections from My First Five Months as CEO

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 22:34:17 GMT

Five months after stepping into the CEO role at The Attainment Network, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons that have mattered most – not the ones I expected, but the ones I’ve experienced. Leading through uncertainty, shaping vision, and building trust require more than strategy. They demand presence, honesty, and the courage to stay grounded in who you are.

As CEO of an intermediary organization driving cross-sector systems change – connecting K–12 education, higher education, and workforce partners – my leadership must balance diverse perspectives, shifting priorities, and complex stakeholder dynamics across the education-to-workforce ecosystem.

These five lessons are shaping how I lead today. I offer them not as a formula, but as a reflection, in case you, too, are navigating change, building something new, or wondering if you’re doing it “right.”

Lesson 1: You Still Get to Be You – Whew!

I didn’t know exactly how my leadership style might need to change as CEO, but I expected the role would call for some significant adjustments. I imagined myself drawing harder lines, becoming more serious, focusing on tasks I didn’t necessarily enjoy, or stepping away from the work I love: the creative, connective parts of leading that have always energized me and my teams. I imagined I’d need to keep more distance to manage the pressure and pace.

But that image didn’t bring me joy or satisfaction. After some reflection, I chose a different approach. Instead of accepting a preconceived and superficial notion of leadership, I decided to be different – to invite more people in, leading authentically with humility and humor. I found that it softens the ground and opens up connections. One of my favorite ways of leaning into this approach has been to host a no-work-talk-allowed gathering at my house for women leaders across our education-to-workforce ecosystem (The Creative Crew), where we share our creative sides – hobbies, art, and passions – over wine. The first gathering was joyful and surprisingly deep.

In this role as the leader of an intermediary, I’ve learned that authentic connection is foundational to our success. It’s how we build trusted partnerships that span education and workforce systems, and it allows us to have an impact through influence rather than power.

On several occasions, I’ve reached out to others in the ecosystem with whom there have been perceived or real barriers to partnership in the past. I said: Let’s start again and see what we can do together. These have been some of the most valuable and productive conversations I’ve had. It doesn’t always reshape the relationship, but it sets a tone for what’s possible and signals the type of leader that I want to be – one who is brave enough to initiate a potentially uncomfortable conversation in the hope of shaping a stronger partnership. I don’t expect instant results from a single exchange, but I'll keep trying. I truly believe that if I leave the door open, I’ll build trust that will, over time, make progress possible.

Lesson 2: Titles Grant Access, but Trust Builds Influence

Having “CEO” in my title has undeniably changed how some people see me. My ideas are received differently, and my calendar fills more quickly. In our field, the title may open doors to funders and partners, but lasting influence depends on credibility, follow-through, and authentic relationships – especially when working across sectors with different goals, needs, and motivations.

If you don’t bring people along, nothing changes. I’ve learned to slow down, share more, and co-create the path forward with the people I want to move with. When we open up space for listening and collaboration, we build the trust that motivates people to show up and support the vision. I’ve seen this in action in our partnerships across the state. I try not to leave a meeting without asking, in some form, “What can I do for you?”

Lesson 3: Decision-Making Requires Clarity – and Flexibility

As I stepped into the role, very quickly we had to decide where to place our big bets in an uncertain ecosystem where anything could happen – or nothing at all. With input from the team, signals on the horizon, and a mix of educated guesses and calculated risks, we got clear on our strategic priorities. At the same time, we held onto a vision expansive enough to shift and pivot as new opportunities emerged.

But clarity alone wasn’t enough. Even after aligning around our direction, it requires ongoing collaboration, dialogue, and patience to bring it to life. Staying open to feedback, listening closely to our partners, and creating space for iteration is helping to ensure our decisions will lead to the impact we are seeking.

Lesson 4: You Can’t Skip the Inner Work

I’m unlearning manufactured urgency, self-doubt, and the belief that I always have to be “on.” Clear thinking and creative ideas need calm moments, reflection, and time to process out loud with others. I’ve stopped sitting back in rooms out of worry that my ideas aren’t polished enough, because my leadership and our work deserve a seat at the table.

That shift didn’t come from the strategic plan – it came from a somewhat uncomfortable self-awareness that it was necessary. Recently, I invited feedback from a longtime partner, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it. But I knew they were looking out for our best interests. If I hadn’t created space for that feedback in a moment of openness and reflective confidence, we would have missed an opportunity to move important work forward.

Lesson 5: Communication Is Culture

One of the smallest but most meaningful practices has been my weekly CEO updates to the team. These weekly emails help keep communication open, make space for feedback, and support shared ownership across the team.

The updates are just one of several ways I’m striving to live our values. I believe each action – whether it’s changing team members’ titles to better reflect their roles, inviting the whole team into fundraising conversations, and being transparent about our direction – reinforces a simple truth: culture isn’t just what we say, it’s what we practice.

I also now reserve time every Friday to process and follow up. I used to rush to respond in the small gaps between meetings during the week, but slowing down has made the work better. I’ve found that if something isn’t time-sensitive, it’s often more productive to let it breathe a bit before responding. I call it “percolating.”

Open communication is especially critical in our intermediary role, where shared ownership and transparency keep diverse teams aligned and engaged. These practices ensure I don’t miss opportunities that simply need space to surface – like program improvement ideas, new partnerships, and funding leads. And since we’re a fully remote team, this kind of intentional communication matters even more internally. I’m proud that our team is close-knit and well-coordinated, even though we’re spread across the state. We bring diversity of thought and experience to our work, and by keeping lines of communication open and transparent, we’re ready for the hard days and able to make the most of the good ones.

There’s still much I don’t know, and I’m really okay with that – maybe even grateful. These first five months have reminded me that leadership isn’t about conforming to a fixed idea of what a leader “should” be, following a strict playbook, or adopting someone else’s style. Instead, it’s about showing up authentically, inviting others in, and creating the conditions for people and partnerships to thrive in the space I’m shaping.

Making the internal transition from COO to CEO has given me a unique perspective on continuity and growth – on honoring what’s been built while steering toward what’s next. Leadership, I’m learning, is something I define for myself every day by meeting the moment. It’s a process, a practice, and a path of becoming more fully who I am. And I’m grateful for every step of the journey.

Across Colorado and off to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta: We’re on the Move in September

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:08:14 GMT

The Attainment Network team is joining partners statewide and nationally to advance student success, community collaboration, and bold pathways to economic mobility and opportunity.

Here’s where you can find us in September:

��️ September 11–12
�� Pathways to Success: Celebrating a Decade of Impact – Washington, D.C.
Michelle will join education and workforce leaders to celebrate a decade of JPMorganChase investments driving innovation in career-connected pathways.

�� Colorado HSI Summit – Glenwood Springs
Katherine will travel to Colorado Mountain College, joining education leaders and students from across the state to advance equity, connection, and student success at Colorado’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

��️ September 16–18
�� StriveTogether Cradle to Career Conference – Atlanta, GA
Rana and Michelle are excited to join Rocky Mountain Partnership and leaders from across the country to explore strategies that put every learner on a path to economic mobility.

�� Chronicle Festival – Online
Libby and Michelle are tapping into to this virtual event to learn about the challenges facing higher education and explore the innovations shaping the future.

��️ September 18
�� Aurora Public Schools Foundation Relentless Gala – Aurora
Stefan will attend the 13th annual gala at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, celebrating APS students and raising funds to expand opportunities for learners.

�� San Luis Valley Harvest Connections – Alamosa
Ashley will connect with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations to strengthen relationships, share opportunities, and support learners and earners in the Valley.

��️ September 25
�� The Attainment Network’s Case Study on the San Luis Valley Career Connected Pathways Partnership – Virtual
Explore how rural communities are coming together to meet employer needs and expand opportunities for learners and earners in healthcare careers. Register Here for the latest session in The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series.

�� Young Invincibles Student Voice Coalition Kickoff – Virtual
Michelle and Katherine will join the new members of the YI Student Voice Coalition to prepare for the 2026 legislative session and discuss opportunities for student-led advocacy at the state and federal levels.

And a sneak peek at October...

��️ October 2
�� L/Earner Voice Symposium – Virtual
Join learners, earners, educators, employers, and policymakers as we work to reimagine career advising systems that meet the needs of Colorado’s future workforce. Register today for this free online event.

Progress Update: Building Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:22:57 GMT

More than 100 stakeholders from across Colorado joined The Attainment Network on August 27 for our State of the Data meeting.

The meeting was the third session in our series highlighting the progress being made to build Colorado’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System – a dynamic, agile, and usable resource designed to help learners, families, educators, program managers, and policymakers make informed decisions about education and training.

We are especially grateful to our colleagues at the Office of Information Technology – Dr. Heather MacGillivary, manager of the SLDS, and Brandi Wildfang, chief communications officer – for sharing updates on both the development of the system and the communications strategy to promote awareness and use. We also appreciate the participation of CEI and Colorado Succeeds, our partners in the Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition.

Key Milestones Completed

Legal framework established to ensure privacy, security, and appropriate use—while allowing the system to evolve with new data elements and use cases.
Technical vendor selected after a rigorous process.
Key staff leadership hired, and additional positions posted for a data engineer and data analyst .
Phase I use cases , co-constructed with the advisory group, formally approved.

Phase 1 use Cases

Communications Strategy

Brandi Wildfang previewed a statewide strategy designed to build awareness, foster engagement, and ensure usability of the SLDS as it comes online.

Meeting Resources

View the recording here passcode: qk$u==6X
Download the slides here

The Attainment Network is proud to partner in this important work and will continue sharing updates as Colorado builds a system that delivers the insights our state needs to better serve learners and earners.

Celebrating Denver’s Impact through the New Skills Ready Initiative

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:19:43 GMT

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.

On the Move in August: From Statewide Forums to Quantum Futures

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:34:11 GMT

We’re feeling the August energy – and it’s not just from the sunshine and farmers market bounty. As we get ready for the start of a new school year, we’re excited about the growing momentum across our beautiful state to reimagine education-to-workforce systems that truly work for learners and earners.

This month, The Attainment Network team is heading into forums, learning tours, and convenings that focus on community collaboration, leadership, and future-facing innovation. We’re excited to listen, learn, and celebrate the incredible work happening across the state.

Here’s where you can find us this month:

��️ Tuesday, August 5
�� Behavioral Health Sector Partnership All-Partner Meeting – Lakewood
Michelle will join partners at Red Rocks Community College to discuss workforce development in behavioral health. The agenda features the ColoradoFWD initiative’s test of a new digital credentialing solution to better recognize the skills, credentials, and lived experience of healthcare and behavioral health workers.

��️ Thursday, August 8
�� Community Impact Forum: State of Education – Arvada
Michelle is joining this annual conversation hosted by the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, where leaders will explore topics shaping the future of K–12 and postsecondary education in Jeffco – including school start time equity, mental health, career pathways, and business partnerships.

��️ Tuesday, August 12
�� HA.HA. (High Action. High Alignment.) Sisterhood Gathering – Denver
Rana is honored to join this bold panel of women leaders committed to solving complex challenges through collective action, shared leadership, and true alignment. This evening will spotlight what’s possible when Colorado’s women leaders lead together – not in parallel.

��️ Tuesday, August 12

�� Quantum Workforce Collaborative meeting – Online
Rana and Michelle will join Elevate Quantum, NVIDIA, Spark Photonics, and the Colorado Governor’s Office for updates on quantum education initiatives.

��️ August 13–15
�� CO Project 2.0 Learning Tour – San Luis Valley
Ashley was invited to participate in this exciting initiative – led by the Scrivner Institute and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs – to uncover and scale the most promising economic, workforce, and sustainability solutions emerging from Colorado’s rural communities. Ashley is excited to elevate the career-connected pathways partnership as a national model of innovation and resilience.

��️ Wednesday, August 21
�� Colorado Talent Academy – Vail Valley
Libby and Michelle will join a statewide cohort of talent leaders to explore regional solutions and strategies for employer engagement, as part of a larger effort to align talent development across Colorado.

��️ Tuesday, August 27
�� State of the Data: Longitudinal Data System Convening – Virtual
Join us at 10 a.m. for a virtual session featuring state leaders sharing milestones and next steps for Colorado’s Longitudinal Data System. This is a key moment to learn more and engage with the future of education-to-workforce data. Register Here .

��️ Wednesday, August 28
�� Quantum Commons Open House – Boulder
Rana, Michelle and Katherine are looking forward to celebrating the grand opening of the first major building on the Quantum Commons campus an emerging hub for innovation and workforce collaboration. This open house will bring together partners and community leaders from across the growing quantum ecosystem.

We hope to see you at one of these events—or hear from you if you’re working on similar efforts in your region. We’re always looking to share ideas, elevate stories, and support the progress that’s already underway.

Shining a Spotlight on our Board

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:14 GMT

Andrea Stiles Pullas on Building a More Connected Ecosystem

Andrea Stiles Pullas brings a systems-level perspective – and a personal commitment to adult learners – to her role on The Attainment Network Board. With years of experience in workforce and community development, she has seen the power of connecting people, institutions, and opportunities across Colorado. In this Board Spotlight, Andrea reflects on what drew her to The Attainment Network, the advice that continues to guide her, and why she believes this work is essential.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you?
A. I worked for many years with adult learners and am passionate about helping them gain recognition for the skills they already have, connect to meaningful credentials, and ensure their learning journey connects in a relevant way to career opportunities. This interest perfectly aligns with the work of The Attainment Network. I have witnessed firsthand the power of The Attainment Network's work in connecting and aligning institutions across the ecosystem to benefit all Colorado learners.

Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?
A. In my work in community and workforce development, I have experienced the many barriers that exist between and across institutions. The current landscape was not designed with a learner journey in mind – this is what The Attainment Network is working to change.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
A. "Our flight through life is sustained by the power of our knowledge" – This quote is on a plaque, given to me by my Dad, Randy Stiles – a passionate lifelong learner who has inspired that same mentality in me.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
A. When The Attainment Network first started, the work focused on building awareness and buy-in around the importance of establishing connective tissue across the ecosystem. Fast forward to today, the work has evolved into figuring out what works and what doesn't in implementation and aligning interests in a sustainable way. The Attainment Network is leading the way in this work and plays a critical role in driving action in our state’s career-connected learning ecosystem. I am honored to support the organization and its incredible team as a member of the Board.

Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
A. The Book of Delights – I love this book and its short vignettes about the delights that surround us. It remains on my bedside table as a reminder of the goodness in this world – we can find it everywhere if we choose to look.

Celebrating a Year of Partnership and Progress for Learners and Earners in the San Luis Valley

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:24:14 GMT

The Attainment Network was founded on a simple belief: partnership drives progress . Even so, we are amazed by what the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership has accomplished in just one year.

Last week we gathered in Alamosa at Trinidad State College – Valley Campus with all of our partners to celebrate our accomplishments over the last year.

Our colleagues from Adams State University, Trinidad State College, San Luis Valley Health, Valley Wide Health Systems, Boys & Girls Club, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and many others heard firsthand from learners and earners whose education and career journeys are being transformed through this collaboration.

Meet a few of those learners and earners:

Sunny Garcia – mother of a five-week-old infant – received support for books and nursing supplies while attending Adams State University to obtain her bachelor of science degree in nursing. She now works as a registered nurse at San Luis Valley Health and plans to start a doctorate program in nursing this fall.
Nicole Peyer faced a major setback when her car broke down during her first semester in the nursing program at Adams State University. With help from partners, she secured reliable transportation to continue school and work. Today, she holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is working as a registered nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit at San Luis Valley Health.
Ronny Herrera , a father of two, received resources and support from partners while completing a master’s degree in clinical mental health. He plans to serve the youth in the Valley as a mental health counselor.

These stories are powerful, but they represent just a fraction of what this partnership has achieved. In its first year, the collaboration has:

Expanded CNA and Medical Assistant training programs into 13 of the 14 school districts in the valley , with 9 of those offering full, standalone programs.
Empowered more than 24 students with hands-on experience through internships, training in the mobile lab, and other work-based learning programs.
Equipped 73 learners with an industry-recognized credential
Supported 15 adult learners in advancing their education – 6 of whom have already graduated from their programs.

And the momentum continues! A mobile lab donated by SLV Health will travel the Valley this fall, giving students insight into careers in healthcare and other high-value careers as well as providing CNA and MA students with access to a clinic for hands-on training.

And thanks to virtual reality headsets from Transfr – donated by the LOR Foundation and the Colorado Department of Housing and Finance – students across the valley can explore healthcare and other in-demand careers right in their own classrooms.

What the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership has accomplished is the future of rural workforce development. This framework for cross-sector collaboration can be used to meet critical workforce needs across rural Colorado – and that’s exactly what you’ll see in the future.

Shining a Spotlight on our Board

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:31:22 GMT

Dr. Sarah Heath on elevating learner voice and expanding early access to careers

The Attainment Network is fortunate to have a Board made up of dedicated leaders who bring passion, insight, and lived experience to our mission. In this edition of our Board Spotlight series, we’re proud to feature Dr. Sarah Heath , Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs at the Colorado Community College System and a long-time advocate for career-connected learning.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you?
So much of our work in Colorado centers on connections: connections to people, to resources, across levels of education, and from jobs to careers. The Attainment Network plays a vital role in helping people harness those connections and clarify their plans for moving programming and action forward for learners and earners. This matters to me because access is key to expanding opportunities across the state. Learners and their voices are essential to Colorado’s economy and the future of work. Without support and focus on elevating learners and their role in the ecosystem, we won’t move Colorado as far as we could. I truly appreciate The Attainment Network’s commitment to elevating learner voice.

Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?

Unbiased early exposure is absolutely critical. My son, who is now heading into first grade, has already had the chance to explore so many aspects of industry, and it blows most adults away. He has welded with students at FutureForward at Washington Square, operated backhoes and excavators with professionals from Sun States, participated in mining simulations with Colorado School of Mines sophomores, met authors, and learned key financial literacy skills from FBLA members. The list goes on. He understands more than just what I do for a living or what our family members do. He is seeing careers in action. And it should not only be learners with privilege who get those kinds of experiences. It is my life mission to ensure more learners get that early exposure, so they can see that choosing a program at one of our incredible community or technical colleges, while still in high school, can be the key to connecting with industry and having real choices.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
“The work will be here tomorrow.” I was a high school teacher, working late one evening to email all the business teachers in my district about our upcoming FBLA Regional Conference. One of our most seasoned teachers responded right away and told me to go home because the work would still be there tomorrow, but time with family and friends might not.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
I am excited about connecting learners to the future of work and about how The Attainment Network can help amplify those connections statewide.

 Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
Answering Why by my friend Mark Perna. It is all about bridging generations to help answer that essential “why” question, and helping learners see the relevance of education by connecting it to their passions. I would absolutely recommend it.

Summer in Full Bloom: The Attainment Network’s July Events

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:57:45 GMT

We’re energized by the growing momentum across Colorado to create meaningful opportunities for learners and earners to step into high-value, in-demand careers.

The Attainment Network team will be on the move this month – connecting with partners across the state, celebrating the progress we’re making together, and enjoying the mountains and the wildflowers during this beautiful season.

��️ Tuesday, July 15
�� SLV All Partners Meeting – San Luis Valley
�� The Attainment Network Team is celebrating one year of partnership in the San Luis Valley with a panel of learners and earners sharing their experiences. Join us and check out the virtual reality headsets that are bringing career exploration activities to rural students and the mobile health clinic we’re using for CNA and MA training!

�� Tech Talent Partnership – Education Task Force – Denver
�� Exploring collaborative strategies to grow Colorado’s tech talent pipeline.

��️ July 21–23
�� Badge Summit – CU Boulder
Stefan is participating in this national convening on the future of digital credentials in K–12, higher ed, industry, and more.

��️ Tuesday, July 29
�� Behavioral Health Sector Partnership Action Group Meeting – Online
Michelle is excited to collaborate on solutions to strengthen behavioral health career pathways across Colorado.

Resources and Continued Learning for Your Apprenticeship Playbook

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:49:04 GMT

The Attainment Network is proud to be a trusted partner in expanding access to high-quality apprenticeships across Colorado. Last week, we were thrilled to facilitate Apprenticeship Colorado’s webinar to help employers and apprenticeship sponsors from across the state design and strengthen programs that connect learners and earners with high-value, in-demand careers.

With 75 employers and apprenticeship sponsors attending, the event showcased the energy and commitment around creating effective and inclusive pathways from education to employment.

We want to send a special thank you to Apprenticeship Colorado for hosting the webinar as well as our partners at Emily Griffith Technical College, and Greiner Electric for sharing tools, insights, and real-world experience to expand access to apprenticeships statewide.

Couldn’t make it? Check out the slide deck , or view a recording of the entire webinar .

Key Resources Shared

To support new and growing programs, we explored tools and resources developed by The Attainment Network and EGTC to support continuous improvement in apprenticeship programs:

Starter Questionnaire – assess your readiness and clarify your goals
Resource Guide – curated supports for programs and partners

Need support?

The Attainment Network is available to provide you with additional support and guidance for creating strategic, effective apprenticeship programs that build your future-ready talent pipeline. Contact Libby Klingsmith, Pathways Director at Libby@attainmentnetwork.org .

Additional Information

Check out more resources from Apprenticeship Colorado:

Upcoming events

Keep learning through upcoming events on apprenticeships and other critical topics for our evolving education-to-workforce ecosystem.

Apprenticeship Colorado Events:

RAP 101 – 1st & 3rd Tuesdays | Next: July 1 at 3 p.m.
Apprenticeship Monthly Exchange – 2nd Tuesdays | Next: July 8 at 1 p.m.
Monthly Expansion Call – Last Mondays | Next: July 28 at 9 a.m.
�� Learn more & register
�� Subscribe to Apprenticeship Colorado’s newsletter s

The Attainment Network’s free, online Professional Learning Series:

State of Data: Statewide Longitudinal Data System Updates – Aug 27, 10–11 a.m.
San Luis Valley Partnership: A Case Study in Employer Engagement – Sept 25, noon to 1 p.m.
2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium – Oct 2, 9–11 a.m.
�� Register here

Contact Information

Collaboration between employers, apprenticeship sponsors and education is the key to building high-quality programs that are accessible to everyone. Our presenters invite you to contact them for support or guidance:

Bryn Nelson , Access Team Manager, Apprenticeship Colorado bryn.nelson@state.co.us
Londell Jackson , Talent Development Strategist, Apprenticeship Colorado
londell.jackson@state.co.us
Kevin Riebau , Dean of Apprenticeship, EGTC kevin.riebau@emilygriffith.edu
Bill Bicket , Training Apprenticeship Manager, Greiner Electric bbicket@greinerelectric.com
Daesha Ottem , Project Engineer, Greiner Electric dottem@greinerelectric.com

Shining a Spotlight on our Board: Dr. Kim Poast Ph.D.

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:00:18 GMT

Kim Poast on Leadership, Learner Voice, and What’s Next

The Attainment Network’s board is made up of dedicated and highly experienced members whose leadership strengthens our work and broadens our impact. In this Board Spotlight, we’re honored to feature Dr. Kim Poast – an early champion of our mission and a lifelong advocate for learner-centered systems. Kim brings decades of experience in education and workforce development, and her insights inspire our team and partners. We’re grateful for her vision, her candor, and her commitment to creating more inclusive and effective pathways for Colorado learners and earners.

Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network?

A: I have been involved with The Attainment Network since its inception and have always seen the promise in the effort and its potential to impact learners. The Attainment Network’s ability to leverage networks to make communities work better for learners is inspiring.

Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?
A: I've worked in this space for over 30 years and have witnessed firsthand the evolution of education and the workforce. What was once traditional higher education (when I started) is now an intentional partnership connecting where students start with where they are going. The demand for learners to have career-connected skills and relevant experiences has only grown over the years.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
A: The most important advice I’ve received is to ensure that the work you are doing aligns with your values. A professor once told me that you must know “when to leave your keys on the table,” which speaks to that sentiment. Another colleague, Rico Munn , used to tell me to just “stand down.” What he meant was that sometimes, the fight is just not worth it – you have to know when it’s the right time to lean in and also when to lean out.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
A: The potential to scale to other regions and replicate this good work outside of Colorado is what excites me most.

Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
A: I just finished James – it was so good, and sad, and so relevant today. It’s a twist on the story of Huckleberry Finn – but told from Jim’s perspective.

You're Invited: Free Webinar for Employers & Apprenticeship Sponsors

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:23:49 GMT

Designing High-Quality Apprenticeships: An Employer Playbook

�� June 25 | �� 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | �� Virtual

The Attainment Network is excited to facilitate a free, one-hour webinar – hosted by Apprenticeship Colorado – focused on building and strengthening high-quality apprenticeship programs.

Building on the content from our Apprenticeships for All session in the Professional Learning Series, this webinar is designed especially for employers and other apprenticeship sponsors looking to develop robust, future-ready teams.

What You’ll Learn
This session will empower you to build and enhance your apprenticeship programs with:

Proven strategies from experienced education and industry partners
Real-world examples of inclusive, effective apprenticeship models
A comprehensive toolkit with action plans, templates, and planning tools

Why Attend?
This session is ideal for employers and apprenticeship sponsors looking to:

Launch new apprenticeship programs
Improve the quality and inclusiveness of existing programs
Access tools and guidance to support continuous improvement
Build future-ready teams that foster innovation, resilience, and community connection

Featured Speakers
Our speakers bring a wealth of experience from both industry and education:

Londell Jackson , Apprenticeship Colorado
Bryn Nelson , Apprenticeship Colorado
Kevin Riebau , Emily Griffith Technical College
Bill Bicket , Apprentice & Training Manager, Greiner Electric
Daesha Ottem , a former apprentice and now a project engineer for Greiner Electric
Libby Klingsmith , The Attainment Network

 Register Today
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your organization’s apprenticeship strategy with practical resources and expert guidance.

CareerWise Sponsors L/Earner Voice Symposium

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:00:33 GMT

The Attainment Network is proud to welcome CareerWise as a collaborating sponsor of our 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium on Oct 2, 2025 – a free virtual event elevating learner and earner perspectives to inform the design of inclusive, future-ready career pathways.

CareerWise's Commitment to Learner-Centered Apprenticeship Design

CareerWise Colorado is a national leader in building modern youth and adult apprenticeship models that align with workforce needs while supporting diverse learners. We’re grateful for their leadership and partnership over the years, and especially thankful for their support of this year’s L/Earner Voice Symposium!

Featured Session: Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program

CareerWise will lead a breakout session featuring learner and earner experiences with their Teacher Degree Apprenticeship -- an innovative pathway that:

Prepares future educators through hands-on, paid teaching experience
Combines classroom learning with job-embedded mentorship
Addresses Colorado’s teacher workforce gap , especially in rural districts
Expands access to teaching careers for learners from underrepresented backgrounds

Register for this free, virtual event today!

Mark your calendar today and plan to join us in the fall for this free, virtual event where learners and earners share insights into how they navigate career exploration, postsecondary transitions, and job preparation in today’s evolving economy.

When: Oct. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Where: Virtual event

Cost: Free

Register Today

June is full of opportunities for connection and collaboration

Wed, 28 May 2025 23:48:48 GMT

As we head into summer, The Attainment Network team looks forward to connecting with you. We’re excited to participate in a wide range of events focused on data access, economic development, adult education, and other topics that are critical to our mission of building inclusive and effective education-to-workforce systems.

Let us know if you’re planning to join us!

Wednesday, June 3 – Eggs and the Economy: Bills, Budgets & Breakfast, Greenwood Village

Rana is attending the Common Sense Institute’s legislative Recap.

Thursday, June 5, 2025 – Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator Demo Day, Denver
Michelle is looking forward to learning about innovative approaches to workforce development.
Tuesday, June 10 – Alamosa Economic Development Meeting, Alamosa
Ashley looks forward to engaging with regional leaders focused on talent development and economic growth.
Monday, June 16 – Kathleen deLaski book signing, Downtown Denver
Rana is attending the book signing for Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter’ hosted by the Donnell-Kay Foundation, Colorado Succeeds, and Willow Education
Tuesday, June 17 – San Luis Valley Work Based Learning Coalition, Alamosa
Ashley looks forward to continuing the work with local employers to support student internships and career exposure activities.
Friday, June 20 – Homegrown Talent Coalition Meeting
Rana, Michelle, and Stefan will gather with a network of education and workforce partners working to align strategies for career-connected learning across Colorado.
Friday, June 20 – OEDIT’s Colorado for All: Business Showcase & Resource Fair, Denver’s Five Points Neighborhood
Rana is excited to celebrate Colorado’s small business community.

Regional Talent Summit in Durango Sparks Collaboration

Wed, 21 May 2025 17:45:38 GMT

The Attainment Network was honored to serve as one of the hosts for last week’s Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summit held in Durango, alongside the La Plata Economic Development Alliance and Fort Lewis College.

The Summit brought together employers, educators, and community organizations from across Southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley to discuss talent shortages – especially in healthcare, technology, and agriculture – and align around plans to build qualified local talent pipelines.

As this recent article highlights, these conversations were part of a statewide series convened by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade through the Opportunity Now program. The summits are designed to foster collaboration needed to build education-to-workforce systems that provide inclusive opportunities for learners and earners while meeting critical local workforce needs – which is exactly what The Attainment Network excels at. In fact, our partnership in the San Luis Valley is making incredible progress toward our goals:

We are 76% of the way toward our goal to train 70 new Certified Nurse Assistants
We’re 50% complete with our goal to train 60 new Medical Assistants.
We aim to place 78 learners in paid healthcare internships, and we’re 31% of the way there.
We are also committed to supporting 50 current healthcare employs as they acquire additional education to advance in their careers, and we’re 30% of the way toward this upskilling goal.

�� A big thank you to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Innovate Work Consulting, and our fellow hosts at La Plata Economic Development Alliance and Fort Lewis College for helping to lead this effort.

Celebrating Therese Ivancovich’s Transformative Leadership

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:40:26 GMT

The Attainment Network team gathered last week to celebrate and thank Therese Ivancovich for her extraordinary leadership over the past nine years. It was a meaningful moment for our team — a chance to express our deep gratitude and share some laughs with an incredible leader who will be greatly missed.

During her tenure, Therese grew The Attainment Network from a one-person operation into a respected and trusted organization with a proven track record of creating meaningful, lasting change across Colorado.

Her dedication, expertise, and seemingly limitless energy helped shape how communities are preparing learners for today’s high-value, in-demand careers .

As Therese steps down, she leaves behind a thriving organization, a powerful network of collaborators, and a lasting legacy of innovation, partnership, and hope for the future.

We are deeply grateful for Therese’s leadership — and we are energized to carry forward the vision and momentum she helped build.

From Ideas to Action: The Attainment Network at the 2025 NoCo Talent Summit and Sector Academy

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:17:03 GMT

The Attainment Network team was energized by the collaborative spirit at last week’s Talent Summit and Sector Academy hosted by the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, where Northern Colorado leaders came together to align efforts around workforce needs.

Accelerating Progress through Collaborative Action
We were honored to support the event and strengthen Northern Colorado’s sector partnerships by leading interactive strategy sessions for the Finance and Non-Profit Sector Partnerships . We brought our unique brand of facilitation to the table, using clear protocols and proven tools to help partners prioritize, align, and turn ideas into tangible strategies.

We were also proud to support the Hospitality Sector Partnership alongside Bobbie Wolfe of the Colorado Workforce Development Council , helping deepen the connection between workforce needs and community resources.

Data-Driven Insights

A highlight of the Summit was the presentation from TIPS Strategies , which introduced an updated Talent Supply and Demand Analysis and Labor Market Profile for Larimer and Weld Counties. This work, part of the Workforce Data and Talent 2.0 initiative, is essential for identifying gaps and opportunities in the local talent ecosystem.

Centering Learner Purpose

A huge thank you to Mark Perna for his insightful keynote address which resonated deeply with our mission. His emphasis on helping young people find purpose as a way to guide their education and career journeys echoes our belief in centering learner and earner voice in all program design and development.

Together with our partners, we’re proud to support the growing momentum across Colorado to create more connected, inclusive, and responsive talent development systems .

Expanding Access, Elevating Opportunity: A Conversation on Apprenticeships

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:43:49 GMT

The April installment of our Professional Learning Series, “Apprenticeships for All” brought together leaders from across Colorado’s education and workforce landscape to explore how apprenticeships can better support learners on their path to high-value careers.

A huge thanks to our panelists for sharing their work to expand high-quality apprenticeships and their insights on what it takes to ensure all learners can access and succeed in them:

And a very special thanks to Daesha Ottem for sharing her insights as an apprentice and now a project engineer at Greiner Electric !

Discussion Highlights

Apprenticeship as a Path to a Degree
Kevin Riebau shared the impact of HB25-1221, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis. The law will allow EGTC to award Associate of Applied Science degrees to registered apprentices. This advancement creates stronger connections between hands-on learning and long-term career advancement. With more than 11% annual growth in apprentice enrollment , Kevin noted that interest in apprenticeships is higher than ever. EGTC’s offerings include registered apprenticeships in carpentry, electrical work, and voice-data tech—with new programs underway for school food specialists, HVACR, water operations and other high-value careers.

Supports That Help Apprentices Succeed

Panelists emphasized that apprenticeships are most effective when learners are supported every step of the way. Supports that can support learners in completing include:

Flexible scheduling
Mentorship and coaching
Career navigation
Assistance with childcare, transportation, and housing

Challenges that Remain

Daesha emphasized the need for clearer up-front information about possible career pathways and available supports. She also shared her experiences revealing gaps in continuity across programs, highlighting the need for collaboration across education and industry to support the success of apprentices.

The Attainment Network’s Role
We continue to:

Partner with education and industry to expand access to high-quality apprenticeships
Offer technical assistance and guidance for establishing high-quality apprenticeship programs or pursuing continuous improvement of existing programs
Elevate strategies that center learner success

Resources

You can view the PowerPoint slides from the session here , and watch the full recording here.

Check out some great resources available to those looking to start or improve apprenticeship programs in Colorado :

�� State of Colorado Apprenticeship Resources
�� The Attainment Network – Apprenticeship Toolkit
�� Emily Griffith Technical College – Apprenticeship Programs

The Attainment Network Team is Hitting the Road This Spring – Let’s Connect!

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:49:33 GMT

Spring is in full swing, and The Attainment Network team is excited to be out and about across Colorado this April and May! We’re looking forward to learning alongside educators, employers, and community partners as we strengthen connections across the education-to-workforce landscape.

Here’s where you can find us:

Friday, April 18 – Cybersecurity K12 Summit, Colorado Springs
Michelle will be diving into conversations about preparing students for careers in cybersecurity and advanced technology fields.
Wednesday, April 23 – 2025 Talent Summit and 2nd Annual NOCO Sector Academy, Loveland

Libby, Michelle, Katherine, and Rana will be facilitating conversations with key sector partnerships.

Tuesday, April 29 -- Jeffco Business and Education Summit
Rana and Michelle are excited to help connect local industry and business members to Jeffco Career and Technical Education programs.
Wednesday, April 30 – Emily Griffith Foundation’s Celebration of Women in Trades, Denver
Michelle is excited to support EGF and honor the women making an impact in trades.
Monday, May 5 – Tuesday, May 6 – National Student Readiness Network (NSRN) Convening, Atlanta
Rana and Michelle will be attending and connecting with national partners focused on student success and postsecondary readiness.
Wednesday, May 7 – Colorado Business Roundtable Future of Work Event, “Looking Around Corners,” Denver
Rana will be joining conversations about workforce innovation and the evolving needs of Colorado’s economy.
Wednesday, May 7 - San Luis Valley Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expo 2025, “The Future of Healthcare,” Alamosa

Ashley will join conversations about youth workforce innovation projects and expanding the future of healthcare in the San Luis Valley.

Thursday, May 8 – Career Cluster Modernization Convening, Colorado Springs
Libby will participate in this gathering to help shape the future of career and technical education clusters in Colorado.
Friday, May 16 – Southwest Opportunity Now Talent Summit, Durango
Rana, Ashley, Libby, and Katherine will head to Durango to collaborate with rural partners advancing inclusive career pathways.
Thursday, May 22 – Friday, May 23 – Bloomberg Convening on Career and Technical Education, New York
Rana will attend this national convening to share Colorado’s efforts and learn from CTE leaders across the country.

These events reflect the vibrant work happening across the education-to-workforce landscape, and we’re honored to be part of it.

Are you planning to attend any of these events? We’d love to connect! Reach out or stop by and say hello!

REGISTER NOW: 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium is set for October 2

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:20:43 GMT

Elevating insights from learners and earners

Join us on Oct. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m. for the 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium – a free, virtual event where learners and earners share insights into how they are navigating career exploration, postsecondary transitions, and job preparation in today’s evolving economy.

This event brings together secondary and postsecondary education leaders, faculty, advisors, instructors, administrators, counselors, employers, workforce development leaders, community organizations, policymakers and all those committed to keeping learners and earners at the center of their work.

Last year’s event was focused on how learners and earners are “Redefining Success” and featured learners from Roadtrip Nation, a nonprofit that humanizes career exploration through storytelling. In 2025, we’ll continue the conversation – highlighting what’s working, where challenges remain, and how we can strengthen education-to-workforce pathways.

Register now for this year’s Symposium

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium

Sponsors help make this free event possible and demonstrate a shared commitment to centering learner and earner perspectives in education-to-workforce systems. To learn more about sponsorship benefits and how to get involved, please contact Rana@attainmentnetwork.org .

Join us for a Free, Online Session on designing Apprenticeships to Support Learner Success

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:27:16 GMT

Elevate Your Expertise: Apprenticeships that Work for All Learners

Apprenticeships are a powerful tool for developing a skilled workforce, but how can they be structured to ensure every learner has the opportunity to succeed? Join us for the next free, online session in The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series to hear from leaders who are making it happen.

Apprenticeships for All: Driving Excellence and Expanding Opportunity

�� April 17, 2025, from noon to 1 p.m.

�� Virtual Event – Register Here

Our speakers will share insights and actionable strategies for designing apprenticeships that empower learners with hands-on training that leads to lasting success:

Kevin Riebau, Emily Griffith Technical College
Londell Jackson, Apprenticeship Colorado
Cori Gerlitz, Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado
Bill Bicket, Greiner Electric
Daesha Ottem, Greiner Electric
Libby Kingsmith, The Attainment Network

Whether you're an educator, workforce leader, or employer, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to design and implement high-quality apprenticeship programs that benefit both learners and businesses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from those leading the way in apprenticeship innovation. Secure your spot today!

Celebrating Impact: 2024 Learner Voice Grants Engage Over 900 Learners Across Colorado

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:00:03 GMT

Small Grants, Big Impact

The Attainment Network is proud of the outcomes of our latest round of Learner Voice Grants, which continue to amplify the perspectives of learners and earners in Colorado’s education-to-workforce systems.

2024 Grants by the Numbers

$25,000 awarded
10 partners selected from across the state
900+ learners and earners engaged through storytelling, surveys, events, and focus groups

Small Grants, Big Impact

Each Learner Voice mini-grant – just $2,500 – supports powerful, locally driven efforts to center learner and earner perspectives in education-to-workforce systems. These small but strategic investments fuel storytelling projects, community conversations, surveys, and other activities that surface real-world insights directly from those navigating career pathways.

Since the program’s inception in 2022, more than 1,700 learners and earners have been engaged – helping shape more responsive, inclusive policies and practices across Colorado.

Why It Matters

When learners are invited to reflect, share, and lead, systems become more responsive, fair, and effective. These projects don’t just highlight barriers – they help identify solutions from those with lived experience.

What’s Next

Our partners will use their findings to improve programs and processes, ensuring their work expands opportunities for learners and strengthens their communities.

Learn more about our efforts to amplify learner and earner voices.

Welcoming Our New CEO: A Commitment to Learners and Collaboration

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 21:39:58 GMT

This week, The Attainment Network celebrates Rana Tarkenton as she steps into the role of Chief Executive Officer.

After serving as our Chief Operating Officer for the last five years, Rana brings both continuity and a clear vision for strengthening partnerships and designing education-to-career systems that meet the needs of today’s workforce and increase opportunities for learners.

"As I step into the role of CEO at The Attainment Network, I feel honored and deeply grateful for the privilege of serving this team, our partners, and our communities," said Tarkenton. "These are challenging times for many in education and workforce development. Economic shifts, policy changes, and evolving career pathways require us to double down on collaboration and think creatively about how to support learners and earners while meeting the needs of employers. Even in uncertainty, one thing remains clear: partnership and intentional collaboration are required to create lasting opportunities."

Under Rana’s leadership, The Attainment Network will continue working alongside partners to:
✅ Amplify learner and earner voices through meaningful engagement
✅ Foster meaningful collaboration among education, workforce, community leaders, and state-level policymakers
✅ Advance best practices and policies that break down barriers and expand access to meaningful careers

“By working together, we are driving lasting change that ensures every learner—regardless of background—can step confidently into a high-value career,” Tarkenton emphasized.

Later this month, we will celebrate the incredible impact our departing CEO has had on this organization. Today, we celebrate Rana, and we invite our partners and community members to connect with Rana and join us in this important work. If you'd like to collaborate or share insights, reach out to us at admin@attainmentnetwork.org

Strengthening Credit Transfer for Colorado Learners

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:39:28 GMT

Innovations and Next Steps with Transfer Systems

We were thrilled to have more than 80 education and policy leaders join our Professional Learning Series last week to tackle one of the biggest challenges in higher education: credit transfer. When students lose credits in transfer, they lose time, money, and motivation – and too many never complete their education.

Many thanks to our partners at Aims Community College who joined us to showcase their successful AIMS2UNC program, and to our partners at Front Range Community College who highlighted their Ram Transfer Academy. We are also grateful to our partners at Young Invincibles and the learners who shared their experiences.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

Key Policy Updates

Colorado is making progress toward creating seamless credit transfer systems for all learners.

Legislation passed last year enhanced the Student Bill of Rights to provide students with clear cost information, transparent transfer pathways, and timely credit evaluations. SB 24-164 also guarantees students the right to appeal transfer credit decisions and earn credit for prior learning.
This year, the legislature is considering HB 25-1038 , which would launch a centralized transfer website for students to see how courses, work experience, and prior learning will transfer across institutions – eliminating the guesswork.

Institutional Partnerships Making a Difference

Two Colorado initiatives are proving that strong leadership, collaboration, and intentionality can drive real change in transfer success.

�� AIMS2UNC: Aims Community College → University of Northern Colorado

This partnership creates a structured pathway from Aims to UNC, ensuring students receive advising support from both institutions.
AIMS2UNC students gain access to UNC resources, activities, and services before they even transfer.
80% of AIMS2UNC students are retained at UNC, and participants graduate sooner than students who start at UNC.

�� Ram Transfer Academy: Front Range Community College → Colorado State University

FRCC students who are admitted to the Ram Transfer Academy are part of the CSU community, with access to campus services and activities like housing, advising, counseling, and athletics.
A dedicated success coach and student success course help students transfer seamlessly without losing credits.
Growth has been significant – from 11 students in Fall 2023 to 56 this spring, with a goal of 300 by 2026.

Student Voices: What Matters Most

A student panel facilitated by Young Invincibles underscored the real-life impact of transfer policies. Students shared what worked and where they struggled:

❌ Confusion over how credits transferred – many didn’t realize their credits would count as electives rather than requirements.
❌ Inconsistent advising – some advisors were proactive, but others were hard to reach.
✅ Success came from strong advising relationships, frequent check-ins, and accessible resources.
✅ Cultural competency matters – having advisors who understand students’ backgrounds helps them feel supported.

What’s Next?

Challenges remain in Colorado’s credit transfer systems, but as these partnerships show, real progress happens when institutions come together with a shared vision.

�� Check out the session slides and recording for more insights

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this opportunity to learn together, and a special thanks to all our speakers, especially the learners who shared their experiences.

Don’t miss the next session in our Professional Learning Series! Join us for our April 17 discussion on expanding apprenticeship opportunities for all learners. Check out our full series here and register today !

We look forward to seeing you next time!

The Attainment Network Announces New CEO

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:15:00 GMT

Rana Tarkenton to take the reins

We are excited to share an important leadership update at The Attainment Network! After a rigorous and transparent search process, our board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Rana Tarkenton as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Rana has served as The Attainment Network’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, and she brings a deep commitment to expanding education and skill-building opportunities for all learners. Her leadership will build on our momentum, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that every learner in Colorado has access to high-value, in-demand career opportunities.

Rana will officially take over as CEO on April 1, following the transition from Therese Ivancovich, who announced her resignation in December after nine years of exceptional leadership. We are deeply grateful for Therese’s vision, dedication, and lasting impact.

Rana brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to working in partnership to advance opportunities for all learners. Her leadership will build on our momentum by deepening partnerships, expanding innovative career pathways, and ensuring every learner in Colorado has access to the education and real-world experience they need to succeed in high-value, in-demand careers.

Prior to joining The Attainment Network, Rana was the founding Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Impact at the University of Colorado Denver. She also served as Chief Operating Officer at the Denver Scholarship Foundation and oversaw statewide college access and outreach programs for the Colorado Department of Higher Education. She began her professional career in Boston in the community arts world before following her heart into the field of educational opportunity programs here in Colorado.

“The Board has full confidence in Rana and the entire Attainment Network team as they continue to drive forward our mission,” said Andrea Stiles-Pullas, board member and chair of the search committee. “We look forward to this next chapter and the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Please join us in celebrating Rana !

Celebrating Progress: The Attainment Network’s 2024 Annual Report

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:00:49 GMT

In 2024, we made meaningful progress in strengthening education-to-career systems across Colorado. In collaboration with our partners and investors, we’ve helped more learners and earners access opportunities, supported local workforce needs, and built stronger, more connected communities.

We invite you to explore our 2024 Annual Report , where we share key milestones and the impact of our collective work.

Read the Report Here

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025!

Key Takeaways and Next Steps following the State of Data Meeting

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:08:40 GMT

The latest updates on Colorado’s new longitudinal data system

Thank you to everyone who joined The Attainment Network’s State of Data meeting last week.

We shared key updates on the efforts to design and build Colorado’s new Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS).

Progress so far includes establishing governance structures, defining guiding principles, and drafting use cases to ensure real-world impact. Next steps involve finalizing the legal framework and launching an RFP.

Thank you to Jess Kostelnick from the Governor’s Office, and Shannon Nicholas and Amber Elias from The Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition for presenting the updates and providing opportunities to stay informed about this important initiative.

You can engage in this effort by joining the next Better Data for Better Decisions Coalition meeting on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. and exploring valuable reports from BDBD, the Talent Pipeline Report, and more.

Thanks for being part of this important work to strengthen Colorado’s education-to-career systems.

Professional Learning Series

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:34:29 GMT

CREATING COMMUNITY AND ADVANCING LEARNING

Join us throughout 2025 for an inspiring series of virtual sessions focused on the critical issues shaping Colorado’s education-to-career systems. From data systems to credit transferability, apprenticeships, and beyond, we’ll bring together leaders and key practitioners in communities throughout the state to explore innovative practices, share actionable insights, and foster connections that advance our collective impact. Let’s come together to build a stronger community and elevate our work to the next level.

In one-hour virtual sessions, you’ll hear from our partners all over Colorado engaging in innovative practices to strengthen education to career systems.

Celebrating Partnership and Progress Toward a More Equitable Future

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:44:23 GMT

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

Policy Papers Highlight Critical Opportunities in Colorado’s Education-to-Workforce Systems

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:24:00 GMT

We’re excited to share our new policy papers highlighting opportunities to expand career pathways for all learners and meet critical workforce needs in communities throughout Colorado.

Advancing Credit Transferability in Colorado
Examine how seamless credit transfer pathways can reduce barriers, improve college completion rates, and help learners achieve their goals more efficiently. Read More
Building a System Where Learner Experience Counts
Explore the potential of stackable credentials to help learners navigate career pathways, gain in-demand skills, and achieve upward mobility. Read More
Targeted Solutions to Address Colorado’s Teacher Pipeline Challenges
Review the complexities of Colorado’s educator pipeline, from workforce gaps in critical subject areas to the persistent inequities in teacher diversity and rural access. Read More
Colorado’s Data Infrastructure: The Power of the Big Picture
Explore the vision for a seamless, statewide data system linking K-12, higher education, and workforce outcomes. Learn how we can provide families, educators, and policymakers with the complete picture needed to drive smart investments and improve opportunities for all Coloradans. Read More

Each paper provides an in-depth analysis of the issue, explores best practices and highlights actionable recommendations to address systemic challenges and build more inclusive education-to-workforce systems.

Join the Conversation about Colorado's Data Landscape

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 23:50:14 GMT

Join representatives from the Governor’s Office and community partners from the Better Data for Better Decisions coalition for a virtual meeting hosted by The Attainment Network on January 30 at 10 a.m. to hear the latest updates on the development of Colorado’s new statewide longitudinal data system. Be a part of the conversation as we seek to create shared understanding and collaboratively envision the potential of a secure, relevant, accurate, and user-centered system to empower informed decision-making and smart investments.

With so much momentum and so much good work happening, make sure your voice is included as we envision how we will use data in our work to serve learners and earners and meet critical workforce needs across Colorado.

This virtual event is free and open to stakeholders of all professional expertise!

Call for applications for Community Voice Evaluation of Career Advising in Colorado

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 20:44:53 GMT

In partnership with Colorado Department of Education (CDE), The Attainment Network seeks Community Voice Evaluation Consultants to more fully develop a landscape review of Colorado career advising resources across sectors, and inform recommendations on unmet needs, best practices, and opportunities for efficiency and innovation in career advising to support learners and earners in pursuit of their goals. Deadline for submission is August 8th, 2024. For more information see the full RFP here .

Join the conversation about Colorado’s education data landscape

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 20:49:54 GMT

The State of Data - August 2024

Join Colorado state agency leaders and community partners for a virtual meeting hosted by The Attainment Network on Aug. 19 at noon to discuss the future of Colorado’s education-to-workforce data systems.

Be a part of the conversation as we seek to create shared understanding and collaboratively envision the potential of a robust, secure and comprehensive education-to-workforce data system. With so much momentum and so much good work happening, make sure your voice is included as we think ahead on how we might use data in our work to serve learners and earners and meet critical workforce needs across Colorado.

This virtual event is free and open to stakeholders of all professional expertise!

L/Earner Voice Grants used to incorporate learner and earner perspectives into critical policy conversations

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:47 GMT

Several organizations are leveraging L/Earner Voice Grants to ensure the perspectives of learners and earners are incorporated into the development of critical policies and efforts to expand equitable opportunities for learners to acquire the credentials they need to succeed at high-value, in-demand jobs.

Juntos and the Colorado Department of Higher Education are both planning to conduct surveys and focus groups with learners and earners, while Young Invincibles, Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative, and the Learning Economy Foundation are hosting meetings to discuss transformational policies with learners and earners.

Juntos will survey and interview immigrants and refugees who are working to acquire the skills and education needed to enter licensed professions in Colorado. Insights from this research will help connect learners with information about career pathways and support advocacy efforts to expand access to licensed professions for immigrants and refugees.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is collecting data on the experiences of learners pursuing careers in education, especially those engaged in stackable credential pathways as outlined in the 2022 Opportunity for Credential Attainment legislation. CDHE will conduct focus groups and distribute a survey to gather valuable feedback from learners and earners.
Young Invincibles has formed a Learner Voice Coalition, comprising current learners enrolled in higher education programs alongside advocacy organizations and higher education policy groups. The L/Earner Voice Grant will support the coalition’s inaugural retreat, providing a foundation to amplify learner voices in higher education and workforce policy. Participants will co-create the coalition’s vision, discuss best practices for work-based learning, engage employers in career-connected learning, and strategize on incorporating learner and earner voices into updated policies and proposed legislation.
Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative , known as CEEMI, has already used its Learner Voice Grant to host a meeting with U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. This event focused on the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, highlighting the voices of learners, earners, and lessons from implementation across Colorado in this crucial policy discussion.
Learning Economy Foundation will use its L/Earner Voice Grant to conduct a focus group with adult learners and earners to better understand their perspective on AI, digital wallets, Learning and Employment Records, and general principles of data ownership, agency, and self-advocacy. Feedback from the session will be used to inform a shared, learner-driven definition of success and the value of technology-assisted, career-connected education pathways.

Join us in congratulating these organizations for including learner and earner perspectives in policy-making to create more inclusive and effective solutions.

L/Earner Voice Grants enhance work-based learning initiatives

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:03:39 GMT

Two innovative organizations have recently been awarded L/Earner Voice Grants from The Attainment Network to integrate learner perspectives into their career exploration and internship initiatives.

Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School will use the grant funding to enhance career exploration opportunities, while the Denver Scholarship Foundation plans to use the funding to establish career coaching support for all scholars and enhance internship opportunities for men of color.

The Denver Scholarship Foundation will use its $2,500 mini-grant to engage current scholars or recent alumni in roundtable discussions. These discussions will help incorporate learner voices into two initiatives – establishing career coaching for current scholars and enhancing a professional workplace shadowing and mentorship program for young men of color. Both initiatives aim to equip DSF scholars with the durable skills needed to succeed in internships, apprenticeships, and ultimately in high-value, high-wage careers.
Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School will invest in multimedia production and a peer mentoring program to increase awareness of career exploration opportunities among high school students. Students in media classes will conduct video interviews, collect written testimonials, and capture photographs of students who have benefited from career exploration. These materials will be shared on the website, highlighted in weekly student announcements, and used during student recruiting tours. Additionally, the mentoring program will connect current students who have participated in career exploration events with those who have yet to learn about or partake in these activities.

Join us in celebrating these organizations and their efforts to amplify learner voices into initiatives that will help learners acquire the real-world skills and education that lead to jobs in high-need, in-demand, high value industries!

Aurora partnership meets need for skilled workers in healthcare and construction

Fri, 24 May 2024 18:57:33 GMT

In Aurora, Colorado, home to the prestigious Anschutz Medical Campus, the burgeoning multicultural landscape reflects both opportunity and challenge. As the community thrives with a diverse and rapidly expanding population, it grapples with the urgent demand for skilled workers to support the thriving healthcare and construction industries.

The Attainment Network and its collaboration with education, industry and non-profit partners are addressing this imperative head on. Together they are working to expand equitable opportunities for learners – high school students as well as current workforce members – to acquire the education and skills they need to meet the increasing needs of the healthcare and construction sectors.

Drawing upon years of experience reshaping education-to-workforce pipelines, The Attainment Network arrived in 2022 to lend its expertise and connections at the state and national level to Aurora’s workforce development initiatives.

By providing leadership, project management, professional development, capacity building, and financial resources, The Attainment Network serves as a catalyst for collaborative action. Moreover, it fosters cross-pollination of ideas and best practices, ensuring Aurora remains at the forefront of innovative workforce solutions.

“We’ve seen such great value in their thought leadership,” said Jill Ruiter, executive director of the Aurora Public Schools Foundation. “They’re so connected with what’s happening nationally, with what’s happening around the state, with access to conferences, articles, programs, and conversations about how other districts are doing it. They’ve been really valuable in helping us navigate and learn from other folks.”

Partners make significant progress

Working together, the partners have tackled the workforce challenges head on and made significant strides toward empowering learners with skills and education they need to meet workforce demands.

Key achievements include:

Increasing APS students’ attainment of industry credentials by 170% – and tapping into a sustainable funding stream for the training from the state’s Career Development Incentives Program.
Doubling the number of learners participating in work-based learning opportunities by establishing better processes and systems for growing and maintaining engagement with local employers.
Raising participation in concurrent enrollment by 23% from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023, including a 36% increase among Hispanic students.
Developing career pathways in construction that include high-demand industry credentials in estimating and superintendent roles as well as an associate degree in applied science in construction management from the Community College of Aurora.
Launching a Pathways in Technology Early College High School – known as P-TECH – in construction at two high schools, formalizing the collaboration between the high school, community college and the high-growth construction industry to provide the education and training students need to enter a good-paying job after high school graduation.
Laying the groundwork for the state’s first health sciences high school, which will be built across the street from the Anschutz Medical Center.

Increasing awareness of healthcare career opportunities

UCHealth’s mission is to improve lives. “We do it in big ways through learning, healing and discovery, but also in small personal ways through human connection,” according to David Mafe, chief diversity office and vice president of human resources.

Central to this mission, UCHealth expanded its employee benefits in 2022 to include debt-free education offerings for all staff members. The education benefit aims to provide staff “the ability to be able to really ideate about what they want to become and where they want to go, with the knowledge that UCHealth is going to support them in doing that,” David said.

UCHealth leaders knew the education benefit would be a huge asset for recruiting and developing their workforce, but they needed to get the word out.

UCHealth and the Aurora Public Schools Foundation first sat down together in 2022 to explore a partnership, and shortly after Aurora Public Schools Foundation joined forces with The Attainment Network.

First order of business for the partnership was to expand general awareness about careers in healthcare as well as the tremendous value of the education benefit provided by UCHealth. They needed to get the word out to not only students and their families but also to the guidance counselors who are helping them plan for the future.

According to Jill Ruiter, executive director of the Aurora Public Schools Foundation, the benefit of debt-free education for UCHealth employees created an entirely new financial aid paradigm that guidance counselors needed to understand.

“We needed them to be educated on all of these different opportunities and thinking about financial aid in a different way,” Jill said, emphasizing the need for guidance counselors to recalibrate their approach to advising students on how to pay for higher education.

Expanding student exposure to healthcare careers emerged as a cornerstone of the collaborative efforts. Through joint initiatives, UCHealth and APS curated immersive experiences, allowing students to explore diverse roles within healthcare settings as a first step toward pursuing career opportunities at UCHealth. Additionally, UCHealth leaders and staff have engaged directly at Aurora schools, sharing insights and expertise to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Enhancing employer engagement processes and systems

While the UCHealth partnership stands as a cornerstone of the partnership’s employer engagement strategy, it forms just one part of a broader framework. The district has onboarded a dedicated employer engagement specialist, establishing a central liaison for employers who are eager to contribute.

Previously, employer interactions with the district often occurred directly through schools or individual teachers, and sometimes potential partners found themselves unsure of how to initiate contact.

This changed with the appointment of Junho Doo as the employer engagement coordinator for APS, a role created following strong advocacy from The Attainment Network.

“Employers want to engage in work-based learning, or career-connected learning, but it was really challenging for them to find out who to talk to, or how to get in the game,” said Junho. He is working to streamline the experience for employers and manage the district’s comprehensive employer engagement efforts effectively.

The partners worked together to select and launch a platform to centralize employee engagement opportunities. With this platform poised for launch, external employer partners will soon access a one-stop-shop resource to connect learner interests with the opportunities available with Aurora schools.

Setting students up for college success through concurrent enrollment

The partnership has identified expanding participation in concurrent enrollment as another pivotal strategy. Colorado’s concurrent enrollment program provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in postsecondary courses and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families.

Although participation in concurrent enrollment has been increasing in Aurora, the partners want to ensure that students are set up for success in college by making sure they are placed in the right classes from the outset.

With guidance and financial backing from The Attainment Network, the Community College of Aurora and Aurora Public Schools have been able to delve deeply into the processes and systems related to placing students in college classes that set them up to succeed in, and ultimately complete, college.

The partners worked with the Center for Assessment, Design, Research, and Evaluation at the University of Colorado School of Education, which is reviewing data on enrollment and completion. In addition, Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism conducted focus groups with learners to better understand their experience in concurrent enrollment.

While final reports are coming soon, the partners have already gained insights that are catalyzing the redevelopment of their student placement processes to enhance college success and workforce opportunities.

“This kind of project on this scale would not have been possible without The Attainment Network,” according to Michelle Pacheco, dean of academic success in current enrollment at Community College of Aurora.

Another challenge in expanding enrollment lies in the shortage of high school teachers qualified to teach concurrent enrollment classes. To address this, the partners are working together to overcome the obstacles teachers face in acquiring the necessary credentials.

For instance, CCA and APS are jointly offering professional development that focuses on rigorous course design and outcomes, ensuring that CCA’s academic standards are met.

The Attainment Network Awards $2,500 Mini-Grants to Amplify Learner and Earner Voices

Tue, 07 May 2024 19:18:57 GMT

The Attainment Network Awards $2,500 Mini-Grants to Amplify Learner and Earner Voices

The Attainment Network is awarding its third annual round of $2,500 mini-grants to 10 organizations across Colorado to bolster initiatives that amplify the voices of learners and earners in shaping education-to-workforce systems to meet critical workforce needs.

These grants aim to help organizations incorporate learner and earner perspectives in their programs and systems design. As a result, their programs are adjusted to better serve l/earners and meet the demands of local employers, creating opportunities in careers that support families and help entire communities thrive.

More than 40 applications were received. Grants will be awarded to the following organizations working in urban and rural communities across Colorado:

We are excited to follow their progress and share updates in the future.

Save the Date for our Annual Conference!

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:30:26 GMT

SAVE THE DATE for our 2024 conference!

Explore, engage and exchange ideas on the latest innovations and best practices in education-to-workforce systems at our Annual Career-Connected L/Earning Conference, September 18 & 19 at the new state-of-the art AIMS Community College Welcome Center in Greeley, Colorado.

Meeting healthcare workforce needs and expanding hope and opportunity for learners

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 18:51:49 GMT

Beneath the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges, the communities in the San Luis Valley are grappling with some of the state’s highest poverty rates and an economy constrained by a critical shortage of skilled workers.

With more than 20 percent of the population in some Valley communities living below the federal poverty level, there is a pervasive sense of “generational hopelessness” among the local youth, according to longtime resident Rachael Cheslock. Rachael is the coordinator of work-based learning opportunities at Adams State University, and she says many students don’t feel like there are any opportunities for them to work in a meaningful career and make enough income to support a family.

The Attainment Network is working alongside local employers, higher education, community organizations, and school districts to bolster their efforts to rewrite this narrative of despair into one of promise and prosperity.

Initial focus is on the healthcare sector, one of the most impacted by the lack of skilled workers. With a total healthcare workforce of around 1,100 in the Valley, leaders predict 300 healthcare positions will go unfilled this year.

The Attainment Network’s partnership is working to transform the Valley’s education-to-workforce systems to fill many of these positions. With all 14 school districts on board, along with Trinidad State College, Adams State University, five community organizations, and four different health care employers, the partnership has specific targets for meeting critical needs for healthcare workers in the Valley. But its biggest achievement will be to instill hope and bring real economic opportunity to learners and earners in the Valley.

In listening sessions conducted with healthcare employers, partners identified the root causes of the labor shortages – the community was losing talent to urban centers, while the remaining talent pool lacked access to education and skills training, as well as durable skills, to move into, or advance, in healthcare careers.

At the same time, community listening sessions revealed that potential healthcare employees – from learners in high schools to current healthcare employees in entry-level jobs – are interested in starting or advancing in health care careers but face a number of barriers, including basic needs like lack of transportation to attend classes and gaps in childcare, the inability to afford tuition, and even simple awareness of opportunities.

The Attainment Network helped partners set specific targets to meet local workforce needs by December 2026, and have made significant progress*:

We’ve nearly doubled our goal of training 70 new CNAs , and we’re 85% of the way toward our goal of training 60 new Medical Assistants .
We’ve reached 90% of our goal to place 78 learners in paid healthcare internships .
We’re 72% of the way toward our goal of upskilling 50 earners

The next step in the process was to develop the shared strategy to reach the targets. The Attainment Network guided partners in developing this three-pronged strategy:

Increase early access to healthcare prerequisites: School districts, higher education and employers will collaborate to increase opportunities for high school learners to attain CNA and MA credentials before they graduate,
Expand work-based learning: Community organizations, school districts, Adams State University, and Trinidad State College will expand industry-informed work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and career exploration events, for high school learners to gain real-world experiences, and
Upskill current entry-level employees: Employers and higher education will work together to provide “upskilling” opportunities and wrap-around support – including financial assistance, transportation and child care – for current staff to increase their education and move up the career ladder.

Increasing early access to healthcare prerequisites

Wendy Murillo, a nurse for the Center School District, is blazing a path for her students to enter healthcare careers, setting an example for other districts.

Many students in Center are from immigrant families and will be among the first generation in their family to graduate from high school. Wendy launched and teaches the Certified Nurse Assistant course at Center High School to give students a launchpad into a healthcare career.

“I want them to be able to leave school and be able to have a decent job… to support a family,” Murillo said. “It’s great if they want to pursue higher education, but if for some reason it doesn’t work out, at least they’ll have something to fall back on.”

She worked with Trinidad State College to set up the program, and with full support from her superintendent, she secured funding from her district for much of the equipment and supplies they needed. After learning about the Career Development Incentives Program from The Attainment Network, Wendy was also able to tap into funding from that program, which provides districts with money for students who complete in-demand industry certificate programs.

Of her current students, some have plans to attend college and ultimately become a nurse or another health care professional. Others simply want to finish high school with a credential that will help them get a good-paying job.

Next stop for Wendy is to set up a full CTE pathway in Center to help students obtain all the prerequisites they might need to enter a postsecondary program in health care at Trinidad State College, Adams State University, or any other program in Colorado.

Exposing learners to the opportunities available through a career in healthcare is one of her objectives. “A lot of them are interested, but they don’t really know what the medical field is about.” Some will want to enter careers in healthcare after completing the CNA course, and some may not, “but they don’t know that until they’re in the field and they get their feet wet.”

As a front-runner in crafting nursing career pathways, the Center School District, under Wendy’s guidance, is poised to be a model for others. The Attainment Network plans to leverage Wendy’s insights to support other districts, potentially enabling students at nearby districts to participate in the CNA program she teaches and mobilizing her as an advocate for the establishment of similar pathways throughout the Valley.

Expanding work-based learning

Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley brings to the partnership a deep expertise in working with employers to provide internships aligned with the skills they need as well as students’ interests. Olivia How, extended learning program director, has been leveraging her connections as a lifelong resident of the Valley to secure internships for learners in a wide variety of fields – dental care, architecture, physical therapy and entrepreneurship, for example.

With the support from The Attainment Network and other community partners, she aims to provide 78 paid internships in healthcare fields and coordinate wrap-around services learners may need. The wrap-around services are for things like financial support, housing assistance, and transportation – anything that is posing a barrier to learners participating in the program.

“The sooner we can get them in to start learning about that field, the better it’s going to be,” Olivia said. “Hopefully it’s going to return to our community because we’re going to be able to keep that workforce here, to grow our own workforce. And that is so important because so many students in the Valley leave and feel like they don’t have an opportunity to make decent wages here.”

One of the partners with whom Olivia works closely is another lifelong resident of the Valley, Rachael Cheslock from Adams State University, who coordinates work-based learning in the Valley.

Rachael works directly with teachers to find out what their students are interested in, and then she uses her deep community connections to create work-based learning or career exploration opportunities for them.

She often has to get creative in order to accommodate challenges students face, sometimes placing students in internships right at their school if they don’t have transportation. Helping with a school’s IT or communications can be a meaningful internship, as is helping the school nurse.

For Rachael, the partnership’s success isn’t measured by numbers alone but by the ability to open doors for students who feel they lack opportunities.

“The whole point of this was really to reach the ones who are furthest from access,” Rachael said.

Upskilling current healthcare employees

Amidst a national labor shortage of nurses that is especially prevalent in the San Luis Valley, Brittany Sours, the Professional Development and Practice Specialist at San Luis Valley Health, has been striving for years to expand the local healthcare workforce. She knows local school districts and higher education have also been trying to build up the local healthcare workforce, but progress has been slow.

But she sees real momentum building now with the partnership forged by The Attainment Network.

“It’s really cool to be working with The Attainment Network because they have the time to bring all of these partners together so that we can collaborate more and not have a siloed effect,” Sours said.

Previously working more or less independently, San Luis Valley Health, as well as the schools and higher education institutions, lacked the structure and systems to work together to identify and address all barriers facing learners. With leadership, strategic direction, project management and financial resources now provided by The Attainment Network, the partners are able to work collectively to identify the barriers and collaborate on solutions to make it easier for people to enter into, or advance in, health care careers.

“One of the best things with working with The Attainment Network is – even with all the challenges and barriers – they just maintain this really great positive attitude of, we are going to get there. It’s really been nice to have this constant direction on – where can we get the yeses, and how can we make things happen.”

One barrier that school districts have already lifted up relates to the goal of providing early exposure to healthcare careers for high school students. San Luis Valley Health, like many other healthcare facilities, required interns and other learners at the hospital to be at least 18 years old.

Working together, the partners elevated the need to provide high school students with opportunities to see various careers in action. With the barrier clearly identified, SLV Health took a second look at their policy, and found a way to maintain the highest levels of patient care and trust while creating specific avenues for 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in on-site clinicals. This will allow CNA program learners access to the hospital setting during their training – a huge benefit for learners.

The partnership is aiming to “upskill” 50 employees currently working in entry-level roles into nursing jobs, which pay enough to support a small family. The work entails identifying employees who are interested in acquiring the additional education they need to become a registered nurse, and then working with each individual to provide the support they need to be successful – whether it’s assistance with tuition or books, child care, housing support, or transportation.

By investing in their employees, Brittany knows they can expand their nursing workforce with people who are committed to the community.

“Our overall goal is to create the opportunity to upskill people within our own community who want to be here; who want to serve their community,” she said.

The partnership is already making progress toward their ambitious targets, but real success will be the sense of hope that comes with meaningful opportunities for learners to acquire the skills and education they need to succeed in good-paying jobs in healthcare. The next step is to scale the model for other pathways to good-paying jobs that are in demand by local employers.

*Updated March 2026 with latest achievement results.

Ensuring Seamless Credit Transfers for College Learners

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:56:10 GMT

TRANSFERABILITY POLICY PAPER

A third of learners in college transfer to new institutions each year. This equates to millions of learners transferring each year without a guarantee that credits will transfer, costing students time and money. With input from state and local stakeholders, learners, and community partners, The Attainment Network has analyzed the issues affecting Credit Transferability, researched best practices nationally and locally and crafted recommendations to create a fair and equitable strategy ensuring seamless credit transfers for learners.

Read the policy brief here

Opportunity Now Grant Award to Scale our Work in Healthcare Pathways in the San Luis Valley

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:34:07 GMT

Opportunity Now Grant Award to Scale our Work in Healthcare Pathways in the San Luis Valley

We are thrilled to announce that The Attainment Network and our partners in the San Luis Valley have been awarded an Opportunity Now Colorado Grant Program to scale our work in healthcare pathways!

Opportunity Now Colorado is an $85 million grant program catalyzing transformative change for Colorado’s workforce. It is a grant initiative of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the program seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorado’s workforce needs through industry and education collaboration. Opportunity Now funding will support our vision and goals for the San Luis Valley Career-Connected Pathways Partnership.

This is a testimony to the strength of work underway with the SLV Career-Connected Pathways Partnership and demonstrates the state’s commitment to rural communities, especially in the San Luis Valley. The Attainment Network is pleased by the state’s ongoing commitment to our goal of increasing the number of diverse learners and earners across Colorado gaining family living-wage employment. Thank you to the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade and to the Opportunity Now team for this important investment.

The Attainment Network is honored to support this community-led effort to meet the needs of the SLV community and employers by developing accessible, impactful, and learner-centered healthcare pathways. This important initiative enhances economic mobility across the SLV through intentional alignment across K-12, postsecondary, nonprofit, and healthcare systems. With over 24 partners, including the largest employers and training providers in the area, the SLV Partnership is building a robust, replicable model for cross-system collaboration within a rural ecosystem.

Through the Opportunity Now investment we are prepared to deepen and expand the amazing work of our partners in the Valley to ensure all learners have the opportunity to pursue a quality career in healthcare. Funding from Opportunity Now will help meet the immediate and long-term needs of SLV’s healthcare workforce and will catalyze expansion into other industry areas to meet a range of industry needs in the Valley. We and our partners are prepared to deliver on these priorities to support the long-term vitality of the community and generations of Valley residents to come.

Vision and Goals for SLV Partnership

Since January 2022, The Attainment Network has developed a vision and strategy with 24 healthcare employers, community-based organizations, and educational institutions in the San Luis Valley to:

Activate a community vision shared by K-12, postsecondary, and Valley employers to expand healthcare career pathways across the San Luis Valley.
Honor the deep knowledge and expertise of the SLV community.
Engage K-12 districts to identify and expand access to career-connected programming and career certifications.
Invest in work-based learning opportunities, including paid internships.
Advance upskilling/reskilling healthcare programs with employers.
Offer compelling education and skills training opportunities for youth & adults that leads to economic opportunity.
Build a scalable, replicable model for partnership in other industries.
Foster systems-change through collaboration, capacity- and relationship-building for long-term sustainability.

The Opportunity Now investment further aligns our vision and strategy with the state’s priorities and will provide resources to scale the work underway in the region and builds upon the regional partnership foundation that is serving the needs of the local community through proximal leadership, committed partnership, and a focus on evidence-based practices using data and evaluation.

Visit opportunitynow.co to learn more about Phase 2 grant recipient’s programs and apply for Phase 3!

Call for Proposals at the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference on Sept. 18-19, 2024

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:40:00 GMT

CALL FOR PROPOSALS AT THE CAREER-Connected L/Earning Conference ON SEPT. 18-19, 2024

The Attainment Network’s third annual Career-Connected L/Earning Conference will be Sept. 18-19 at the stunning new AIMS Community College Welcome Center in Greeley, Colorado.

The conference promises to ignite conversations and foster collaboration among industry, K-12, and higher education professionals who are shaping the future of education-to-workforce systems. This conference is more than just a gathering — it’s a dynamic forum for exploring innovative and inclusive strategies for meeting our evolving workforce needs while supporting success for all learners and earners.

What to Expect?

Engaging discussions on best and promising practices to bolster learner and earner success.
Collaborative problem-solving sessions to address problems of practice within education-to-workforce systems.
Driving momentum around pathways as a vital tool for building education-to-workforce systems that support every learner.

To address these goals in an inclusive and meaningful way, The Attainment Network is requesting proposals for the 2024 conference that align to one or more of the following strands:

Partnership and Collaboration
Education and Skills Alignment
L/Earner Supports
Data and Technology
Policy and Communication

We encourage cross-institutional and cross-sector presentations or workshops that champion learner voices, highlight industry-alignment, and focus on the importance of partnership to advance the discovery, design, and implementation of career pathways work.

Presentations are 50 minutes in length, and presenters must be available to join us in person. Presenters must register for the conference and cover their expenses. Limited scholarships are available.

Priority Deadline for Presentation Proposals is April 19, with a Final Submission Deadline of May 3.

Insights from Colorado L/Earners & Leaders in Aerospace, Green Energy, Healthcare & Public Safety

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:00:05 GMT

2024 L/EARNER VOICE SYMPOSIUM

Our 2024 L/Earner Voice Symposium, on February 29, 2024 from 9 – 11am, is a free virtual event with representation from a wide range of Colorado industries sharing what’s happening in education-to-workforce systems affecting them.

We will have speakers from industry, education and state organizations sharing l/earner insights from aerospace, green energy, healthcare, and public safety , a session on Colorado’s progress on making l/earner credentials portable through Learning & Employment Records (LERs) as well as a workshop led by Young Invincibles on strategies for rural youth organizing.

This year’s keynote will feature learners with Roadtrip Nation. Roadtrip Nation is a nonprofit organization that humanizes career exploration through storytelling and empowers individuals to connect their interests to fulfilling lives and careers. Hear first-hand reflections from Roadtrip Nation’s Colorado roadtrippers about their experience crisscrossing the state to speak with leaders in the state’s traditional and emerging industries and how they are thinking about the meaning of success in their own education and career journeys.

We welcome secondary and postsecondary education leaders, faculty, advisors, instructors, administrators, counselors, employers, state leaders, workforce development leaders, community organizations, and all those striving to keep learners and earners at the center of their work.

Reshaping Colorado’s education-to-workforce system to work for all learners

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 21:05:42 GMT

1215 Task Force Final Report Released

State Policy, from Policy to Implementation

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:13:15 GMT

Colorado government’s efforts to enhance career pathways in Colorado require alignment of various agencies and programs to provide high-quality education and job opportunities. At times the complexity of this system can resemble a bowl of spaghetti. These agencies hope working together harmoniously in this “spaghetti bowl” can simplify the experience for learners to better bridge the gap in education beyond high school and address disparities among different populations within local communities.

As happens in many other states, there is an intersection between politics and administration, where policy makers draft and pass laws on what they think are good ideas and once passed, administrators work to implement what has been written into law. In general, laws are well-intentioned but can create complications and may not necessarily be good in execution. Despite this, it’s still the law and those on the ground can share feedback on what is and isn’t working to inform updates. An additional layer of complication for Colorado is that single-topic bills are required. That results in a lot of individual and sometimes disconnected programs within the same area.

Who is involved?

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state’s school districts, schools, teachers and administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state’s public-school students. CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE’s Office of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) specifically supports schools and districts to help each Colorado high school graduate to demonstrate the knowledge and skills (competencies) needed to succeed in postsecondary settings and to advance in career pathways as lifelong learners and contributing citizens.

Colorado Department of Higher Education oversees and coordinates policy for 31 public institutions of higher education (including community colleges, independent local district colleges and local area technical colleges) under its own authority and through its board, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, whose vision is that all Coloradans have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities.

The Office of the Future of Work was created through an executive order in 2019, to understand, prepare for, and develop policy and programmatic solutions to foster an economy that works for everyone in Colorado. The OFW shapes an equitable economy of the future and ensures that Coloradans are equipped with the necessary education, training, skills, and tools to fully participate in the labor force. The OFW is based within the Department of Labor & Employment.

The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is a Governor-appointed, public-private partnership with the purpose to advise, oversee, and integrate the work of the Colorado talent development network. The CWDC is responsible for the continuous improvement of the workforce system, oversight of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds, and ensuring a statewide strategic vision created from the bottom up through Council members and local partners.

The Colorado Community College System is our state’s largest higher education and workforce training provider, with 13 colleges and 35 locations offering Concurrent Enrollment, Career & Technical Education (CTE), certificate programs, transfer programs, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, one master’s degree program and customized employer training.

Colorado’s Collaborative Approach

In 2014 legislation was introduced to establish the annual Colorado Talent Pipeline Report . The development of this report brings together these various state agencies to identify areas of growing demand and opportunity, key features of the current labor force, and strategies to balance the supply and demand equation for talent. It also highlights the Top Jobs in Colorado — jobs with high annual openings, above average growth, and a good wage.

The report is presented by the CWDC in partnership with the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, with support from the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, the State Demography Office at the Department of Local Affairs, and other partners.

At its introduction in 2014, it was a catalyzing moment creating further opportunities to work together and strategically use education, economic, and workforce data to determine how all aspects of the education to career pipeline could be structured. As a result of that work state agencies are collaborating on specific initiatives in the K-12, postsecondary, and workforce spaces to re-examine and find opportunities to better align programs such as concurrent enrollment, ASCENT, P-TECH, TREP, CDIP, and CTE.

The State Apprenticeship Agency is leveraging apprenticeships to make high school and college connect to business and industry needs. This intensive work-based-learning program is not the solution for every talent problem, but it is certainly powerful in responding to gaps. This experiential learning approach enables learners to decide if something is right for them and helps chart a path to a relevant credential.

Stackable Credentials is the pathways approach which creates multiple ways for a student to get from Point A to Point Z and into a good job. As a starting point these apply to high need, high demand industries and have created flexible options for students to learn in K-12, CTE, Work Based Learning, postsecondary, and apprenticeships.

Currently, the 1215 Task Force is charting the next phase, rethinking how high school, higher education, and work-based learning can be better integrated, or “blurred”, for the state to improve postsecondary workforce readiness. The Task Force is forcing a public conversation about the role of high school and what career-connected opportunities every single student in Colorado should have access to. The recommendation report will come by the end of this year, but execution will take years to fully implement.

Right now, the various agencies have a full docket for the 2024 Legislative Session but there’s plenty of work that can be done. Where there’s an idea and concept, the agencies can be a sounding board to ensure it’s not something that an agency would likely oppose, give suggestions on what to adjust so that when something does come to the legislative session it can move faster.

With a multitude of agencies and organizations, it can be confusing to know who or where the “right” place is to start. Just remember, we’re all in the big bowl of spaghetti together and we will work together to get you to the right person.

Katherine Keegan & Denise Miller on Apprenticeships and the Future of Work

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 21:18:18 GMT

At the 2023 Colorado Pathways Conference Katherine Keegan, Director of the State’s Office of the Future of Work and Denise Miller, Director at Apprenticeship Colorado explored the future of work trends, how they will affect Colorado and explained how apprenticeship programs can prepare learners for this future.

Future of work trends that are and will impact Colorado and the United States include:

Globalization and market forces leading to increased interconnectedness.
Technological advances and their impact on both job function and relevance
Demographic shifts, including an aging workforce and diversifying younger generations.
The need for digital skills and literacy in every industry.

With these dramatic and disruptive shifts on the horizon, learners and workers need an efficient and effective education and skills training model to access new types of work and higher paying jobs. Apprenticeships offer a compelling model, incorporating paid work, relevant on-the-job learning and training, and critical relationships with employers. As apprenticeship is recognized as an important workforce development strategy both inside and beyond the skilled trades, there are opportunities to enhance both scope and reach so more and more diverse learners’ and workers can participate and reap its benefits:

Public Awareness and Marketing: Promoting apprenticeships through marketing materials and outreach efforts is crucial. Schools, career counselors, navigators, employers, community organizations and workforce development agencies can play a significant role in spreading awareness about apprenticeship opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaboration with educators, employers, government agencies, and community organizations is essential in developing accessible and ubiquitous apprenticeships. Engaging with stakeholders can lead to innovative solutions and increased program participation.
Employer ROI: Supporting employers in developing apprenticeship programs and talent pipeline requires clear ROI for apprenticeship development and easy to access information and support.
Educating Families: Families may have traditional views of career paths and may not fully understand the potential for apprenticeships that lead to well-paying jobs. Schools, community organizations, and apprenticeship programs can work together to dispel myths about apprenticeships and highlight their benefits in terms of career advancement and earning potential.
Apprenticeships Across Age Groups: Apprenticeships are not limited to younger individuals just starting their careers. Middle-age and middle skill learners and workers can benefit from apprenticeships to switch careers or gain new skills. Some apprenticeships are designed for those with prior experience or education.
Navigators and Outreach Specialists: Piloting programs like navigators or outreach specialists can help bridge the gap between apprenticeship programs and potential participants; working with schools, workforce centers, employers and other stakeholders. Navigators can serve multiple stakeholders connecting resources and information.
Transportation Issues: Access to transportation can be a barrier for youth and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in apprenticeship programs. This can limit the number of learners and workers who can take advantage of such opportunities. Finding local solutions, such as partnering with transportation providers or offering transportation assistance, could help mitigate this issue.
Customized Solutions: Each region and program may face unique challenges related to apprenticeships. Tailoring solutions to specific local needs and constraints can be an effective approach. This might involve leveraging local grants, creating supportive services, and collaborating with community organizations.

Despite these challenges, apprenticeship is a powerful model which creates opportunities to catapult learners into meaningful careers while simultaneously providing distinct value to employers. To find out more about State initiatives on apprenticeships visit the websites below.

The Office of the Future of Work

Apprenticeship Colorado

Alex Swartsel on Navigating the Future: How AI Will Transform Jobs and Skills

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:27:53 GMT

Alex Swartsel, Managing Director of Insights at Jobs for the Future (JFF) Labs kicked off our annual pathways conference with a talk about the major impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and helped us envision the future and its possibilities. In a rapidly evolving world of AI, the impact on jobs and skills is a burning question. As we embrace AI and its potential to connect learners and workers to quality jobs and opportunities, it’s crucial to understand how it will reshape our workforce. In her keynote Alex explored three early ideas and three big questions surrounding the intersection of AI, jobs, and skills.

It’s Complicated: The rise of generative AI and other advanced technologies has sparked headlines that often fall into two extreme camps – AI will save us all, or it will lead to mass job extinction. However, the reality is more nuanced. AI’s impact on the job market is complex, and it’s essential to move beyond this binary narrative. We, as agents in this AI-driven world, must focus on understanding how to shape the future collaboratively.
Reshaping More Than Replacing: Early research indicates that AI’s most significant impact on jobs and skills will be in reshaping rather than replacing them. Around 80% of the U.S. workforce may see 10% or more of their tasks influenced by AI, particularly generative AI. McKinsey’s findings suggest that up to 30% of work hours could be automated due to AI. Importantly, this impact is measured in terms of skills and tasks, not just entire job roles. The key question is how AI can complement human work and enhance our capabilities.
Making Choices for Our Future: As AI continues to advance, society faces critical choices about how we adopt and integrate this technology into our lives and workplaces. These choices will shape the nature of work, redefine job roles, and determine which tasks remain exclusively human. We stand at a crossroads, with the opportunity to proactively shape the future of work rather than merely reacting to it.

Big Questions for the Future:

What Do We Need to Learn and Teach? As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, foundational AI literacy is essential for learners, organizations, and leaders. Understanding the trajectory of AI development and its potential is vital.
How Can We Harness Learner Innovation? Empowering learners to explore and experiment with AI technology can lead to innovative solutions and novel applications. It’s crucial to involve learners in the process of shaping AI’s role in education and work.
Reshaping the Ecosystem: Leveraging proven strategies like work-based learning, apprenticeships, and skills-first hiring can help ensure that learners and workers benefit from AI advancements. Additionally, the AI job market must be equitable and accessible to all, addressing diversity and inclusion.
Building the Right Technology Infrastructure: Organizations need to stay ahead in the AI race by adopting the right technology infrastructure and data analytics. This ensures they remain competitive and can harness AI effectively.
Valuing Human Work: As AI takes over routine tasks, the unique value of human work becomes more apparent. Jobs that rely on interpersonal skills and human-to-human interaction should be valued and compensated accordingly. This shift has the potential to create economic mobility and empowerment for marginalized populations.

AI’s impact on jobs and skills is multifaceted, requiring a nuanced understanding of its potential. By actively shaping our future relationship with AI, we can unlock boundless opportunities and create a world where quality jobs and equitable opportunities are accessible to all. The path forward involves careful consideration, innovation, and a commitment to valuing the unique capabilities of humans in the AI-driven landscape.

The 2023 Career-Connected Education Conference

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:34:16 GMT

The future of work is being shaped by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence and shifting work paradigms. Innovation promises economic growth and new employment opportunities, but its benefits will be reaped primarily by communities that are adequately prepared and by workers equipped with essential skills.

In a bid to foster economic growth and equip the state’s workforce with the skills demanded by the modern job market, The Attainment Network and CareerWise Colorado hosted Career-Connected Education – A Colorado Pathways Conference September 19 & 20 at the Auraria Campus in Denver, CO. In its second year, this conference accelerates the momentum for education-to-workforce pathways that create economic mobility for all Coloradans. The forum offered a platform for educators, industry professionals, policymakers, nonprofits, funders and learners to converge and explore innovative strategies in bridging the gap between education and employment. With over 400 in attendance, the conference -offered best and promising practices that support learners on their journey toward family-sustaining careers and created a collaborative space for attendees to address shared challenges.

Plenary sessions featured Artificial Intelligence, Work Based Learning, Apprenticeships and the Future of Work, creating a space for participants to explore the possibilities and envision opportunities for more people to thrive. – A diverse range of small group sessions featured employers from various sectors, including health, technology, and manufacturing, as well as discussions on education-to-workforce policies. The event showcased career-connected exemplars and best practices from both rural and urban communities across Colorado, including the Western Slope, San Luis Valley, Northern Colorado, and the Front Range.

Participants were enthusiastic:

“All of the energy and passion, it’s just a great vibe that we have here. We’re ready to help every single student from as early as possible. The number of people that really are dedicated to innovative solutions and moving forward.”

“There was so much conversation around A.I. that it is more likely to reshape, shape more jobs than it is to replace them, whether it be credentials, workplace learning opportunities, career opportunities, postsecondary opportunities.”

“We are shrinking in what felt like a really broad ocean to a smaller lake that’s more navigable. Wonderful to be here. The best part is meeting all the new people. We’re all on the same page. We all want to ensure that learning and careers go hand in hand.”

“We’re talking about ideas between sessions while we’re eating. It’s been fantastic.”

In the ever-evolving landscape of education and workforce development, the Career-Connected Education – A Colorado Pathways Conference served as a unifying experience for those passionate about advancing industry-informed career-connected pathways in Colorado.

Announcing New Legacy Charter School as our Partner of the Year

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:40:26 GMT

The Attainment Network mobilizes K-12, postsecondary institutions, state agencies, local municipalities, nonprofit, business and learners to ignite and accelerate education-to-workforce systems change, erase persistent and pervasive equity gaps, expand opportunities for all learners, and meet the economic demand for a highly skilled and educated workforce.

In this quickly evolving landscape, we recognize our partners who:

Adapt to evolving education and workforce landscape to ensure all learners earn the skills and credentials to meet Colorado’s workforce demands today and into the future,
Champion equity, leads systems change, and connects learners to pathways that lead to needed economic opportunities,
Hold a strong vision for learner and community success,
Are deeply committed to personalized and career-connected learning for all of its learners, including requiring meaningful real world learning experiences.
Is paving the way for rethinking how secondary schools educate learners

This year we would like to celebrate New Legacy Charter School for their work providing parent students with the education and skills training needed to access economic opportunity and raise healthy children.

In presenting the award, CEO Therese Ivancovich stated:

“In a quickly evolving educational landscape, New Legacy Charter School truly stands out as a model partner in championing equity, leading systems change, and connecting learners to pathways that lead to needed economic opportunities.”

Congratulations to New Legacy Charter School and keep up the great work!

1215 Task Force Community Feedback Report

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:45:19 GMT

The Attainment Network, alongside the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Community College System, led an effort to design, collect, and report on community input to inform the HB22-1215 Secondary, Postsecondary and Work-Based Learning Integration Task Force (Study of Expanding High School Programs).

Recommendations delivered to the Task Force focus on the equitable access to and successful expansion of high school programs across all regions of Colorado with a focus on traditionally underserved populations and those who have not accessed relevant programming in their educational experience.

The discovery process of community feedback collection leveraged community organizations, educational organizations, and local partnerships, including The Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley , Colorado Mountain College , and Ednium – The Alumni Collective .

READ REPORT

Andrew Brennan on integrating Learner Voice at our 2nd annual Symposium

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 20:23:08 GMT

2023 Learner voice symposium keynote - andrew brennan

We were delighted to have Andrew Brennan as our Keynote Speaker at the 2nd Annual Learner Voice Symposium . As a High School Junior, Andrew co-founded the Kentucky Student Voice Team , which helps to amplify and elevate students as partners in improving Kentucky schools. The group has led multiple successful legislative campaigns, published original peer-reviewed research, and changed the narrative in Kentucky about the role students can play in creating more just and democratic schools. Today in addition to serving as board chair at the Kentucky Student Voice Team , Andrew is an associate at The Omidyar Network .

Andrew advocates for a “Whole of System” approach to incorporating Learner Voice, Agency and Power. From his experience, the learner’s voice can have a transformative impact on research, policy and storytelling. For too long, decisions have been made that failed to engage the education system’s primary stakeholders – students – who spend 35 hours in the classroom. The benefits of embracing Learner Voice can extend beyond the four walls of a classroom and has the potential to drive and improve system outcomes for all stakeholders.

Andrew challenges us to shift our mindset on education policy and take a more holistic approach to the “intersectionality” of problems facing today’s youth. As an example, social media platform regulation may not be an educational policy, but it plays an integral role in the mental and behavioral health crisis that pervades our schools and student’s lives. Andrew highlights some concrete tools that support more understanding and effective communication between generations:

Invest in spaces where educators can hear from learners directly e.g., board rooms, education policy committees.
Bring small groups of students together for critical conversations using a facilitator close in age, near-peer support, to create trust and a more open conversation.
Use School Climate Surveys developed with young people as research designers rather than just “subjects”. Ensure results are made available quickly as students move on within a year or two.
Student journalism can present the voices of students and provide a counterbalance to the current conversation which is dominated by politicians, parents, and teachers.
Support Student Council beyond an event planning tool. Help Student Councils become a place where student perspectives are incorporated into curriculum and policy decisions.
School based decision-making councils or district school boards present an opportunity to integrate learner representation. When learners are represented on these critical governance committees they can amplify and enhance the policies and create policy feedback loops.
The education advocacy community should engage learners as part of their advocacy. Learners are very compelling advocates in both local and state government, appearing neutral as they’re representing their own self-interest in getting a quality education.
Find ways to integrate young people into advocacy organizations, or partner with youth lead organizations. Bridging the gap between adult and youth advocates will yield substantial returns.

In all these approaches, honor the agency that young people bring to the table. It is important to note that Learner Voice is not a silver bullet. Learners don’t have all the answers, but their experiences and perspectives can still make an impact, especially when we are intentional and strategic in including Learner Voice.

Incorporating Learner Voice – Hearing from The Experts of Their Experience

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 20:16:06 GMT

IMportant insights from the 2023 Learner Voice Symposium

At The Attainment Network, we envision innovative education-to-workforce systems that develop a diverse and talented workforce. We believe in supporting learners and preparing them for future jobs, so they are able to meet economic demands and sustain thriving communities.

Prioritizing and sustaining focus on the learner’s experiences is a critical component of the work needed to erase persistent and pervasive equity gaps, expand opportunities for learners, and meet the economic demands for a highly skilled and educated workforce system of the future.

Our second annual symposium brought together an audience of educators, employers, and policymakers to hear directly from Colorado learners what they seek in career-connected pathways and how they define success.

The Symposium elevated insights from learners’ diverse experiences and backgrounds and provided actionable measures to improve and expand pathways for all learners.

Non-Traditional learners and pathway at New legacy Charter school

New Legacy Charter School (NLCS) enrolls and supports pregnant and parenting learners as well as their children in a unique two-generation setting. In addition to providing education for learners, New Legacy is rated in the top 5% of early learning centers in Colorado. High school learners at NLCS graduate at twice the rate of the national average for teen parents.

The panel of learners spoke about their experiences as learners and moms. All of the learner panelists have big dreams for their careers and personal lives, fueled by the individualized and supportive programming of NLCS. Learners have options to engage in concurrent enrollment and career exploration while at NLCS.

Two of the largest challenges and concerns faced by learners are transportation and childcare. While in school NLCS learners have access to the early learning center for their children and -transportation is available as needed.
Learners shared how valuable it is to have advisors and mentors; people to help them navigate different educational and workplace settings. Additionally, connecting with others who share similar life experiences has been supportive and motivating for the learners.
Learning basic skills (i.e. essential or durable skills) like managing household finances, your credit rating or preparing a resume and cover letter are an important part of their high school education. Simple lessons make a big difference.
Learners desire early connections with college advisors to create relationships to support transition to postsecondary.
Parenting learners have big dreams for themselves and a deep desire to support their kids and make their families proud!
Internships are a critical way to find out what you want to do without being lumbered with student loan debt: “I don’t think I would have figured out I wanted to be an ultra-sound tech, without actually getting to EXPERIENCE the field.”

At the Center: Evolutions of Educational & Professional Success by Ednium: The Alumni Collective

Ednium: The Alumni Collective hosted a panel of four alumni that discussed their experiences navigating through a school system whose definition of success was sometimes at a mismatch with their life outcomes. Despite this, they shared what made their unique experiences meaningful and how they were able to navigate these complex systems to achieve educational and professional success.

Mentorship is important and valuable; some mentors reflected that they didn’t have similar supports along their journey and were vulnerable enough to admit that they really needed them. Regardless, it was important for them to be a mentor to future generations.
The spaces that value you as a person, and make you feel comfortable the way you are, are the ones that drive the most success.
Following the High School – College – Job path doesn’t exactly work as employers are often looking for work experience even for entry-level hires.
From the learner perspective: Even if we didn’t go to high school, college, or have certain types of jobs, we still have VALUE.
Success = generational wealth = happiness = prosperity

WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR RURAL LEARNERS WITH SAN LUIS VALLEY BOYS & Girls Club

San Luis Valley Boys & Girls Club hosted a panel with participants of a work-based learning program discussing the challenges and accomplishments while being in the program. B&GC/SLV provides candidates with meaningful career-focused learning experiences in a variety of fields. Program Directors connect learners with employers that are active in their fields throughout the San Luis Valley.

The program helped improve essential/durable skills such as confidence, communication, work skills, and time management
Learners recommend a stronger social media presence (e.g. TikTok) and texting to reach learners and help them understand the opportunities of work-based learning programs – meet the learners where they are!
Create more activities in neighborhoods and communities to expose more learners to the program.
Creating opportunities for learners to engage and expand networks and connect with other learners across the state would be exciting!

THE APPRENTICESHIP JOURNEY WITH EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) shared details of apprenticeships and held a panel discussion with students about their experiences along their apprenticeship journeys. EGTC offers career and technical programs in health, skilled trades, information technology, service industries and business with partners across Colorado.

High schoolers often aren’t presented apprenticeships as an option. Sharing the benefits of learning on the job, getting paid and low-no debt makes apprenticeships an attractive option. Include more types of hands-on learning in High School curriculum.
Community support and mentorship in the program is an important aspect of its success, helping the learners overcome any obstacles and thrive in their role.
The quality-of-life impact of apprenticeship programs can be huge, as well as the potential for improved confidence and creating an interest in learning where learners directly apply what they learn in the classroom to their job.

IMMIGRANT & DACA / UNDOCUMENT LEARNER EXPERIENCE WITH MSU DENVER

Learners from MSU Denver’s Immigrant Services Program shared their experiences navigating their education-to-career pathways. Having connections with others in the immigrant community as well as those with an understanding/awareness of relevant resources was a common theme of positive support. Some of the largest barriers to success for these learners included challenges related to limited access to resources, targeted information, financial aid, and particularly work-based learning opportunities based on their immigration status. Learners emphasized that it is not enough to just provide support in navigating the current system, but the system actually needs to change to meet their needs. As one student put it, “our ‘out of the ordinary’ stories are far too common to be perceived as exceptions to the rule.”

Importance of relationships with advisors, faculty, and with other students to garner trust, connect to resources, and build a supportive community.
Staff/faculty should do everything they can to be informed when working with DACA/Undocumented students. They need to educate themselves so they can provide information to learners about Financial Assistance, college & career processes, and what career opportunities can look like with various immigration statuses.
Hands on/work-based learning opportunities need to be varied and creative. How students can and want to show up varies depending on their immigration status.
Connecting to others in immigrant community is essential for learning how others have navigated similar challenges and what resources they’ve utilized.

THE IMPAct of cash assistant for learners in workrise programs with ceemi

Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative (CEEMI) created a program called Cash for Coloradans and Evidence for Equitable Upskilling. CEEMI is partnering with 3 organizations – Center for Employment Opportunities, CrossPurpose and ActivateWork – to pilot programs offering cash assistance to learners participating in upskilling opportunities and to conduct research into the impact of such programs on learner success.

Cash assistance helps replace income when changing field, paying for a postsecondary pathway like a bootcamp or simply keeping a roof over your head.
Alleviates the stress of financial uncertainty when you are trying to make a change.
Don’t make assumptions; People who really need cash assistance to support their education and work goals will use it wisely.
Creates a chance for someone to pivot and switch careers.

youth participatory action research (ypar) IS NOT A CHECKBOX: tHE NEXUS OF METHOD AND ETHOS WITH yAASPA

The organization Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA) recognizes the challenges youth face in navigating their academic, career, and civic development in the social sciences and public service careers in Colorado. YAASPA works to cultivate youth to be civically engaged in community and career by building the self-efficacy of youth. This session focused on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) as a key approach to center learners and their experiences in the development of career pathways.

YAASPA highlights that many of the decisions related to career pathways (e.g. which career pathways to develop and how) have been made from a top-down perspective, based on labor market demands in STEM, business, health, and other high demand fields. Consequently, there have been few endeavors to cultivate self-efficacy for youth who desire to pursue a social justice career and/or pursue degrees and careers in the social sciences. As Dr. Trinidad discussed during the symposium, “If we were listening to our young people, we would have more humanizing education spaces.”
YAASPA tactically puts youth in positions of power as a means to cultivate agency and empowerment. The organization challenges us to “trust young people and their own creative genius.”
Centering youth expertise in youth participatory action research (YPAR) provides the authority to youth “to call out the adults in their lives” and “take back power in their spaces.”

AUTHENTIC YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN CAREER PATHWAYS HOSTED BY COLORADO BEHAVIORak health administration & youthmove co

Youth MOVE National is a youth-driven, chapter-based organization dedicated to uniting the voices of youth nationwide. Youth Move asserts that youth are the leaders of today, not tomorrow; all youth should be equal partners in the process of change; and that youth can motivate others through their voices of experience.

The YouthMove team talked about authentic youth engagement. When engaging youth, avoid tokenism and decoration to prevent burnout and hopelessness. Instead, create a more inclusive, empowering environment that continually addresses power dynamics.

Cultivate environments where youth may more readily share their creativity, honesty and guidance
Create inclusive environments where the youth feel a sense of belonging. Ensure the engagement is culturally responsive.
Honor the understanding and expertise youth bring to your organization.
Ask young people what they want out of their time with your organization or relationships with you. Be transparent and provide clarity.
Maintain a strengths-based approach – seeing everyone’s superpower and honoring youth’s expertise and lived experience.
Youth need a multitude of models such as: teach, do with, cheer on, for youth to lead in spaces.

2022 Annual Report

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 21:50:23 GMT

Scaling our successful career-connected pathways strategy statewide

Significant progress has been made in driving outcomes in our equity-centric career-connected pathways strategy and we are happy to share some of our 2022 successes. We expanded our Career-Connected Pathways model statewide and are building new partnerships with Aurora, New Legacy Charter School and the San Luis Valley. We’re excited to continue this journey with you in 2023.

Annual Report 2022

Workforce, Industry & Demographic Data Resources

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:51:57 GMT

Harness data to create an impact in your community! The Attainment Network has collated resources that can be used to describe national, state, and local workforce demand, industry landscape, and demographic facts and trends to support the development of education-to-workforce success in your community.

DATA RESOURCES

Pin-point In-Demand Opportunities in Your Area

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 21:54:17 GMT

Use a data-driven approach to enhance your application for Opportunity Now Colorado’s $85 million grant program. Colorado Future Jobs can help you pinpoint the in-demand opportunities in your area and create collaborative strategies to focus education and workforce investments. Visit the Site