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Colorado River BOCES tells Pitkin County: CTE pipelines can feed local job needs in construction, health and EV service
Summary
A Colorado River BOCES representative told Pitkin County commissioners that career and technical education pathways—including construction, health sciences, and cyber programs—raise graduation rates and provide direct pipelines to local employers; the BOCES seeks partnership and potential grant funding for program expansion in the valley.
A director from the Colorado River BOCES presented a wide-ranging career and technical education briefing to the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24, arguing that expanded CTE (career and technical education) offerings can help fill high-demand local jobs.
The presenter described EPIC pathways in construction, health sciences and cyber security, mobile learning labs (heavy-equipment and aviation simulators), CTSOs (student technical organizations), and a long-running alternative-licensure program that supports rural teachers. She emphasized that students who participate in CTE classes have higher graduation rates and that concentrators and year-long participants see the strongest outcomes.
The BOCES noted practical local examples: partnership-based construction builds that netted early sales to fund green upgrades, regional employer links that convert internships into hires, a mobile aviation simulator that serves multiple districts, and an EPIC Cyber Crew pathway designed to prepare students for networking and security jobs with strong local demand.
On workforce alignment, the presenter said the BOCES coordinates with local employers and the regional workforce center for pre-screening and internship placements; industry coaches help firms understand work-based learning and apprenticeship supports. The board discussed adding electric-vehicle service training and coordinating with Colorado Mountain College’s automotive programs and local dealerships.
Why it matters: Workforce shortages in skilled trades, health care and EV service are regional challenges. The BOCES pitch positions local K–12 CTE expansion as a near-term pipeline for living-wage jobs and as a way to retain local youth.
What’s next: The BOCES encouraged county staff and commissioners to share employer leads, consider grant support or Healthy Community Fund avenues, and to send county partners information about an industry symposium set for late March.
