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: 🗓️ 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.

Andrea Stiles Pullas on Building a More Connected Ecosystem

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.

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

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. 

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: Apprenticeship Colorado Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship Colorado Apprenticeship Data Registered Apprenticeship Program Directory 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 ®gister 👉 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

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

Designing High-Quality Apprenticeships: An Employer Playbook

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