Work-Based Learning Roadmap | Colorado Succeeds

Background:

Creating the Conditions for Work-Based Learning & Pathway Innovation

Work-based learning is a win-win for Colorado learners and businesses, providing students with real-world experience that prepares them for future careers and helping businesses strengthen talent pipelines for in-demand jobs.

While work-based learning is recognized today as an essential strategy for businesses aiming to develop a skilled and prepared workforce, Colorado Succeeds began working with partners across the state more than ten years ago to ensure this strategy was adopted to best serve the state’s learners and earners.

Policymakers, educators, and employers created critical opportunities in the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions when industry was formally brought into the conversation about what comes after high school.

Colorado Succeeds played an instrumental role in bridging these legislative policies with real-world practice.

The Problem/Opportunity

Empowering the Future: When Businesses Step In, Learners Step Up

In Colorado’s fast-evolving labor market, Work-Based Learning (WBL) has become a competitive advantage that positions both learners and businesses for long-term success. WBL programs give businesses access to motivated learners who can contribute immediately while honing their skills. It’s also an opportunity to influence the training and education of potential employees, ensuring they meet the specific needs of industry.

While legislation began moving, Colorado Succeeds recognized that many promising partnerships were already underway across the state, but there was no clear way to define or scale them. Employers needed flexible, practical ways to engage, whether through early exposure opportunities like guest speaking and site visits, or more intensive experiences like internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.

In addition, many educators and employers alike were asking the same questions:

 Where are we on the work-based learning continuum?
How can we grow our impact?
What models are working in the field?

The Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP) has supported more than 44,000 students in earning industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary credit, or work-based learning experiences since 2016.

In 2018, Colorado Succeeds developed the Roadmap to Work-Based Learning to provide a set of tools designed to meet partners where they are, highlight the range of engagement opportunities available, and offer proven strategies and resources to help expand access to high-quality WBL across the state.

Solution:

The Colorado Roadmap to Work-Based Learning

To build a comprehensive picture of work-based learning, Colorado Succeeds connected with:

90+

organizations and businesses

200+

individuals

14/14

education regions statewide

Which led to the creation of:

6

step-by-step guides to help businesses implement key work-based learning opportunities

300+

tools to strengthen education-business partnerships

60+

rural districts engaged through the launch of the Homegrown Talent Initiative across Colorado

What began as a basic framework developed by Colorado Succeeds

…Evolved into a state-wide, codified framework for Work-Based Learning:

The Roadmap to Work-Based Learning

What is it?

Help students across diverse backgrounds develop awareness of their strengths, interests, and values, as well as career and training opportunities.