NEWS & UPDATES

And why they are still wor th it

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

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

Lasting systems change doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when schools, colleges, employers, and communities work together toward shared goals — and someone helps connect the pieces into a coherent system that drives results. That’s the role of intermediaries. In this short video, learn how intermediaries like The Attainment Network help bridge silos, build trust, align partners, and support implementation that leads to lasting impact. Hear how this approach is helping communities like the San Luis Valley strengthen education-to-workforce pathways and meet critical workforce needs. Watch the video to see why intermediaries are essential to turning collaboration into action.

Melanie D’Evelyn on cross-sector collaboration for economic mobility

What does it take to ensure every learner graduates with purpose, direction and access to opportunity? That question was at the heart of our recent Professional Learning Series session, Pathways and Career Navigation: Insights from the Purposeful Pathways Commission, where local, state, and national education leaders shared a powerful message: this work is gaining traction — and it’s delivering results. District leaders described growing learner engagement and meaningful outcomes emerging from career-connected pathways, including rising graduation rates and improved academic performance. The message was clear: When learners connect their education to purpose and future opportunity, motivation grows. District Leaders Share Insights on Connecting Education to Purpose Cañon City High School has created a culture where every adult is an “Opportunity Guide,” helping ensure career navigation is not the responsibility of their four counselors alone, but part of how the whole system supports students. That mindset reflects a larger culture shift presenters echoed throughout the session: this is not additional work — this is the work. That spirit of shared responsibility was evident across districts. Denver Public Schools announced a growing partnership with the City of Denver to leverage employer relationships to scale work-based learning opportunities to all Denver students. Adams 12 Five Star Schools highlighted systemwide investments in pathways, transition supports and exploratory experiences in elementary, middle and high school. Critical Role for Intermediaries John Garcia, III, emphasized the important role intermediaries play in making this work possible — particularly in employer engagement. With educators pulled in many directions and employers struggling to understand “eduspeak”, intermediaries add capacity, translate across sectors, and help build the trust and shared accountability needed to sustain partnerships. Thank you to all our presenters for sharing their insights: John Garcia III, Ed.L.D. — Co-chair, Commission on Purposeful Pathways Amber Elias — Colorado Education Initiative (on behalf of the Homegrown Talent Initiative) Michelle Camacho Liu — The Attainment Network Samantha Haviland — Denver Public Schools Bill Summers — Cañon City High School Beau Foubert — Adams 12 Five Star Schools Watch a recording of the entire webinar here View slides Check out resources shared during the presentation: Commission on Purposeful Pathways Report: A Launchpad for Life - A Vision for Purposeful Pathways for all Students Pathways to College and Career: Advancing Colorado’s Homegrown Talent Coalition to Lead and Sustain Complex Change CCHS Pathways Handbook Up Next: Our Learner Voice Symposium Don’t miss our next session: L/Earners Leading: Centering Learner Voice in Career-Connected Learning on Monday, May 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn more.

May is packed with conversations about workforce innovation, civic leadership, and community connection. From national convenings on skills-based hiring and apprenticeship to regional events in the San Luis Valley and statewide strategy discussions, The Attainment Network team is showing up in spaces where ideas turn into action. We’re excited to keep building partnerships, elevating learner voice, and shaping the future of education-to-workforce systems. 🗓️ May 1 🔹 Future Ready Apprenticeship Center Launch — Virtual Katherine will join leaders from across the country for the launch of the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center. Hosted by CareerWise, the event will feature the unveiling of 10 states leading the future of workforce opportunity through Apprenticeship America. 🗓️ May 3–5 🔹 Close It Summit — Santa Fe, N.M. Leaders from across the country will gather at this national convening to explore strategies for closing gaps between education, training, and employment. Stefan and Ashley will join our career navigator, @Okany Rivas , to present our work in the San Luis Valley and join conversations on skills-based hiring, stronger data sharing, and cross-sector partnerships that build a more equitable and effective workforce system. 🗓️ May 4 🔹 Colorado Future Systems Forum: Shaping the Future of Colorado’s Workforce — Denver Rana will join leaders from across Colorado to explore the the social, economic, and behavioral barriers to upskilling and reskilling — and discuss policies needed to strengthen the workforce system. 🗓️ May 7 🔹 Care and Share Recipe for Hope — Monte Vista Bringing together local businesses, organizations, and supporters, this community fundraiser raises awareness and support to address food insecurity across Southern Colorado. Ashley and Wes will attend to support programs that provide meals to individuals and families across the region while connecting with regional partners. 🗓️ May 8 🔹 Alamosa Chamber Arts and Awards Gala — Alamosa Ashley will join community leaders and partners to celebrate leadership, economic development, and cultural contributions in the San Luis Valley. 🗓️ May 11 🔹 EGTC Apprenticeships for All Cohort Session – Denver Libby is facilitating the second session with employers who are focused on strengthening their apprenticeship programs and expanding opportunity for learners and earners. 🔹 Colorado Project Cohort Launch — Virtual A new cohort of civic, political, and private sector leaders from across Colorado will come together to explore challenging policy issues and identify common ground for action. Rana has been invited to participate in the initiative, which aims to turn civil discourse into practical, collaborative solutions for Colorado’s future. 🗓️ May 18 🔹 L/Earner Voice Symposium — Virtual Join us for this interactive session highlighting the power of learner and earner voices through a series of short Ted Talk-style presentations from learners and earners sharing their own experiences navigating education and career pathways. Our presenters are leading the way with development of programs and policies that support career-connected Learning outcomes. Learn more and register . 🗓️ May 19 🔹 Future of Work: From Data Signals to Strategy — Denver Rana and Stefan will join employers, talent leaders, and higher education partners to explore labor market signals and employer-led strategies to keep Colorado competitive. 🗓️ May 21 🔹 CDHE Career and Workforce Development Leaders Convening – Virtual Rana will join this statewide convening focused on career and workforce priorities across Colorado’s higher education system. 🗓️ May 27 🔹 CEEMI Post-Session Legislative Briefing and Recap – Virtual What happened at the Capitol this session—and what does it mean moving forward? This CEEMI briefing will unpack key legislative developments, including updates on HB 1317 and other action affecting education, workforce, and economic mobility. Rana will join partners for the discussion.

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

Aaron Miltenberger shares insights on transferable skills, rural learners, and the future of Colorado’s education-to-workforce ecosystem.

Explore how purpose, belonging, and social capital shape career navigation—and how systems can better support learner success.

APRIL IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITY AND We're LEANING IN

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.

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.

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.