L/Earner Voice Grants used to incorporate learner and earner perspectives into critical policy conversations
June 27, 2024
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.
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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.
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