In a short span of time, the definition of workforce readiness has transformed. The world has shifted, and so have the tools required to shape it. No longer are we preparing students for industry; we’re preparing them for an ever-evolving, dynamic world where the assembly line is digital, the gears are lines of code, and the hands shaping tomorrow design with computers alongside traditional manual tools. The future, once built with nuts and bolts, is now being constructed with bits and bytes, and the architects are our students, equipped with industry-level skills and the adaptability to be successful in a rapidly changing world.
Investing in Our Future by Growing Our Own
To address the growing workforce demands in manufacturing, information technology, and education in Colorado, St. Vrain Valley Schools has proactively prepared students for these industries. Recently awarded the Opportunity Now grant, a three-year, $7 million state-funded initiative, the district is set to amplify its efforts to accelerate industry credential attainment and college completion in the state’s most in-demand careers. The Opportunity Now grant supports programming in St. Vrain where students gain practical knowledge, participate in rigorous work-based learning experiences, and earn relevant industry certifications and college credits aligned with workforce needs and specific post-secondary education programs.
“We’re envisioning a future where students become integral contributors to the industry’s growth,” said Lynn Eckart, Industry Certification Facilitator for St. Vrain Valley Schools. “Our focus is on reaching students who are seeking direction in their career planning. With tech jobs set to double, this presents an opportunity to connect, guide, and channel valuable skills into a thriving workforce.”
St. Vrain is leveraging the Opportunity Now grant to create a Pathway to Cloud Computing and IT program, which includes industry certification options in networking, cloud computing, and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. These certifications provide students with a diverse skill set applicable to various roles in the IT industry. Students take certifications asynchronously with guided support from St. Vrain staff.
“Certifications are the gold standard,” added Eckart. “They demonstrate a skill set and pave the way for higher pay, enhanced skills, and a broader professional network. Whether students choose college or another path, certifications offer a valuable credential.”
Silver Creek junior Brynne Geittmann, one of the students piloting the district’s Pathways to Cloud Computing and IT program, refers to herself as an “OG iPad kid” and expresses her lifelong interest in computers. “Throughout my life, I’ve been able to do things because I’ve had access to technology.” Brynne took her first Intro to Programming class as a sixth grader at Altona Middle School, and is currently enrolled in the Cybersecurity Pathway of P-TECH at Silver Creek High School. She sees technology as a change agent in society, and mentions inspirational studies she has learned about through her coursework where the role of technology has improved outcomes for those with health issues such as hearing loss and paralysis. “It’s hopeful to think about how computers can play a part in making positive change.”
Brynne sees a future for herself in engineering – either computer or mechanical. She finds the field of automation fascinating and one with countless career avenues. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities to achieve my goals, whatever they turn out to be.” Opting for the Salesforce Platform certification, she appreciates building on her cybertech skill set, where the content focuses on data management and relationship building.
In addition to collaborating with local industry experts, St. Vrain Valley Schools is creating invaluable internship opportunities for students within the district. The District Technology Services (DTS) department pairs employees with student interns, offering them practical job experience in areas such as information security, networking, and DevOps.
Genaro Montes, a 2022 Skyline High School graduate and current Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) student, enriched his skill set as an intern for DTS during the summer of 2023. His exceptional performance led to the extension of his internship into the fall. “I was genuinely interested in everything I was learning leading up to my internship,” said Genaro. “It was an honor to contribute within St. Vrain, and I was excited to learn about the inner workings of a technology department within a school district.” Genaro approached his internship with a growth mindset and expressed his willingness to learn in an environment where he was entrusted with significant responsibility.
Now, Genaro is on track to graduate in the spring of 2024 with his Associates of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Front Range Community College, representing his family as a first-generation college student. He plans to transfer to a four-year college and is interested in pursuing a variety of career paths involving networking and computer science. According to him, the internship experience, coupled with his participation in the P-TECH program, has prepared him for the workplace by instilling good work habits and opening doors to job opportunities. Genaro encourages fellow students to seize such opportunities, emphasizing the importance of gaining hands-on learning experiences and applying classroom knowledge in practical, real-world settings. He believes that “the sky’s the limit” for students in St. Vrain.
Where Artisanship Meets Advanced Technologies
The landscape of manufacturing has evolved significantly throughout the years. In the past, the field relied heavily on manual labor and hands-on skills. As technology has advanced, so have manufacturing processes. Automation and computerization has revolutionized the industry, introducing robotics, optics, artificial intelligence, and computer-aided design (CAD) to streamline production. Students at the Career Elevation and Technology Center (CETC) are learning these highly sought-after industry skills through the center’s Advanced Manufacturing program, the first of its kind in Colorado.
Julia DeGracia and Emilio Guzman, seniors at Erie High School, have spent several years in the Advanced Manufacturing Pathway, developing the skills necessary to qualify for the new Manufacturing and Welding Project Team funded by the Opportunity Now grant. The Advanced Manufacturing program is well-paced, beginning with foundational knowledge and skills-based learning during the first year and progressing to project management and client relations by year three.
“The project team provides students with valuable exposure to real-world projects, expectations, and customers,” said Austin Reid, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor. “These projects utilize our highly-capable machine shop and welding and fabrication area in a productive way, and the community can take advantage of low-cost, high-quality metal work while feeling good about supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
The grant funding allows the program to pay students for their work while the CETC establishes a customer base, develops a catalog of capabilities, and builds up operating funds until the program can become self-sustaining in the near future.
When Emilio first toured the CETC as an eighth grade student, he couldn’t believe this was a program site available to high school students. “I thought I was entering a big corporate building, but then I saw it was students who were working on things I never thought I’d be able to learn at my age.” The project team’s semester-long task is to create a compressed air engine for their client, Metro State University. Emilio emphasizes that there are high expectations that come with the work. “I feel a lot of responsibility to my team to meet deadlines and move the project forward.” His teachers are highly supportive with answering questions and guiding the students’ success, and they also assume the role of a job site supervisor when the students work on projects for clients.
“It’s great to have this experience where we can learn skills and also learn to collaborate with peers and have a supervisor oversee our project,” continued Emilio. “We are learning a lot of things beyond normal classes – we are having real-life experiences.” Emilio plans to build on these experiences by pursuing a business degree in college, where he aims to incorporate his advanced manufacturing background.
For Julia, she originally thought she wanted to pursue engineering as a career path, but her exposure to advanced manufacturing has fostered her passion for design, and she now plans to focus on architecture. Julia appreciates her strong foundational knowledge in how the parts that go into a design are created. “I’ve gained knowledge in teamwork, design, and computer work. The program has strengthened my problem-solving abilities, especially when dealing with tool paths and machine issues.”
Julia feels strongly that her experience in the program has given her a solid background in understanding how manufacturing machines operate, and she has the evidence to support her workforce readiness with the multiple industry certifications she has earned during her education, along with her demonstrated work experience. “The certifications emphasize that I do know what I’m doing, and I am doing it well.”
Empowered Education Pathways
The educational journeys of students like Brynne, Genaro, Emilio, and Julia demonstrate that our collective tomorrow is in good hands. Through a strategic blend of experiential learning, industry partnerships, and forward-thinking programs, students are not merely equipped for the future; they are actively constructing it. St. Vrain Valley Schools is committed to addressing the real-world demands of our local and globalized workforce and preparing students to craft their professional success in a continuously changing landscape.
