Northeast BOCES and member school districts receive $1.5 million from Opportunity Now Colorado grant program to address workforce issues

Opportunity Now Colorado is proud to announce nearly $27 million in grant awards to 46 total grantees, including Northeast Colorado Board of Cooperative Educational Services, located in Haxtun, which provides cooperative educational services for, and in partnership with, 12 member school districts: Akron R-1, Buffalo RE-4J, Frenchman RE-3, Haxtun RE-2J, Holyoke Re-1J, Julesburg RE-1, Lone Star #101, Otis R-3, Plateau R-5, Revere, Wray RD-2 and Yuma 1. 

The grant, an initiative of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorado’s workforce needs through industry and education collaboration. 

As explained by Northeast BOCES Executive Director Tamara Durbin, BOCES, in partnership with the 12 rural northeast school districts, will provide youth in ninth through 12th grade, and youth out of high school, with career-connected learning, including career awareness and exploration, skill development, training, career pathways leading to industry certifications and/or postsecondary planning for two-year or four-year degrees in the industry areas where there are critical workforce shortages (education, K-12 and early childhood; health care; infrastructure, including construction and other trades, specifically plumbing and electrical; transportation and warehousing; and computer and information technology).

Northeast BOCES intends to partner with the regional community college system, specifically Morgan Community College and Northeastern Junior College, to offer concurrent enrollment opportunities leading to industry certificate and/or associate degree advancement, and with other Colorado trade schools, colleges and universities for industry certificate, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree advancement.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.