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County, colleges and employers push paid internships and work-based learning to build local pipeline
Summary
Commissioners, partners and education representatives urged more paid internships and coordinated work‑based learning to help local students access nearby jobs; transportation and employer capacity were highlighted as barriers.
Local education and workforce representatives urged Adams County and employers to expand paid internships and work‑based learning so students can access in‑county career pathways.
Shannon Hancock, executive director of the 5 Star Education Foundation for Adams 12 schools, told commissioners that the district struggled to find internships without traveling outside the county and asked what incentives the county could provide to expand paid positions. Commissioners and county partners said transportation and employer capacity are common barriers.
Commissioners and partners described existing resources and partnerships. Jenny Hall and county staff pointed to the integrated Community and Economic Development model to help coordinate employer requests. Lisa Huff (ACREP) and Jack Buffington (DU Center for Excellence) said higher-education partners and workforce centers are prepared to convene employers and help design work‑based learning models. “Our goal…was asking all the companies in the room to create just 1 work based learning job,” Huff said of a recent workforce event.
Why it matters: Paid internships and CTE pathways can give local students practical experience, help employers recruit trained talent and reduce commuting burdens that make internships cost‑prohibitive for students.
Ending: County officials said they will continue convening workforce partners, higher education and employers — and recommended employers contact county staff, workforce centers and local colleges for technical help setting up paid internships.
