This fall, Colorado Succeeds business members will have the opportunity to inform a higher education system that better meets the needs of students and ensures a strong pipeline of talent for employers and a thriving Colorado economy.
In June of 2021, Governor Polis signed HB21-1330 into law, which authorizes federal American Rescue Plan dollars for students, postsecondary institutions, and postsecondary entities to re-engage students to complete postsecondary credentials to improve their earning power. This law charges the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) with reimagining the role of postsecondary institutions in a post-pandemic world to build economic resiliency and strengthen the state’s workforce. Colorado Succeeds supported this bill and advocated for business to have a meaningful role in the implementation.
CCHE is also convening a task force – the Task Force on Student Success and Workforce Revitalization – to study and make recommendations on the role and mission of institutions of higher education in the state in providing effective and efficient workforce development. The taskforce will submit a report of findings and recommendations about ways to leverage additional federal stimulus funding in December of 2021 to the Commission and education committees of the Colorado legislature.
CCHE members Sarah Hughes and Berrick Abramson are co-chairing the task force and are convening three working groups focused on student supports, workforce alignment, and the structure of the postsecondary ecosystem.
Scott Laband, President of Colorado Succeeds, has been selected to participate on the task force, providing business members with an opportunity to share their insights on how the higher education system can work better and smarter for all Coloradans.
During the upcoming Q3 Member Meeting on September 9 from 8 – 9 am, members will be asked to provide their insights on the following questions, along with any additional ideas they may have:
- What are the most important challenges (perceived and real) in aligning Colorado’s postsecondary ecosystem with the upskilling/reskilling needs of its citizens?
- How might the state most effectively and efficiently use taxpayer resources to meet the needs of diverse learners to prepare them for success in an evolving workplace?
- How can we better align post-secondary education workforce pathways?
- How can the state effectively leverage publicly available benefits, philanthropy, and federal stimulus funding to reach our most affected workers?
Colorado Succeeds looks forward to the opportunity to inform a higher education system that provides better pathways from education to career through critical insight provided by business leaders. If you are unable to participate in September, and you have insights from the business perspective that you would like Scott to share in this taskforce, please email us your feedback.
Stay up to date on Colorado Succeeds’ participation in the Taskforce on Student Success and Workforce Revitalization by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Interested in joining our coalition of business leaders building an agile education system that meets the needs of learners and business? Contact our membership team today.
