As we close out 2024 – a year that has underscored the deep divides in our nation – it’s worth celebrating the progress we’ve achieved together right here in Colorado. Despite the noise of national disunity, learners and earners in our state are building a future filled with promise. By working together with our partners to equip learners for high-value careers, we are advancing our shared belief in the dignity and potential of every individual, regardless of their background. 

The Attainment Network is proud to serve as a bridge – an intermediary that builds productive partnerships with schools, colleges, and employers – connecting learners to opportunities and employers to skilled, diverse talent. We believe communities thrive when learners are heard, valued, and empowered to contribute, and we are committed to transforming education-to-workforce systems and erasing pervasive equity gaps. Our goal is for all learners not only to succeed in meaningful careers but also to contribute to thriving communities. 

Colorado is full of progress and hope. In the San Luis Valley, we are proud to lead healthcare employers, higher education, community-based organizations, and 14 school districts that are all united in their commitment to provide opportunities to diverse learners and break the cycle of generational poverty. Together, we are elevating the voices of learners and earners and building lasting systems that equip them with the education and skills needed to build strong futures for themselves and their families. 

In Jeffco Public Schools, we are fostering new partnerships with postsecondary institutions and employers that will bring the district’s vision for a public safety academy to life. This initiative will open doors to rewarding careers in law enforcement, firefighting, and other essential public safety roles, giving learners the opportunity to serve their communities and find purpose in high-value professions. 

In Denver, where The Attainment Network first began supporting collaboration between K-12 and higher education, we have seen a significant expansion of opportunities for learners to acquire real-world experiences and industry-recognized credentials. By listening to learner voices and working together to reduce the barriers they face, we have increased the number and diversity of learners who are prepared to enter meaningful careers that will support their families.  

And in Aurora, a community enriched by its vibrant diversity, we have been proud to enhance our partners’ capacity to shape new education-to-workforce systems that create economic opportunity for learners in construction and healthcare industries. 

Last fall in Greeley, nearly 500 educators and employers gathered at our Career-Connected L/Earning Conference to connect and build their capacity to shape education-to-workforce systems and equip learners for meaningful careers.  

Threaded through our work across the state is our commitment to elevating the voices and experiences of learners, ensuring our partners develop strategies that are responsive to the unique needs of each community.  

Progress is rarely linear, but we are inspired by our partners’ steady commitment to learning, collaboration, and growth. Moving forward, we will continue to elevate promising practices to state-level conversations, informing policies that advance equity and opportunity for all. As we look forward to 2025, we can see a future where, working in partnership, we will shape systems where all learners find economic opportunity and purpose in their communities.  

Thank you for partnering with us in this work. It is only by working together and embracing the hard work of collaboration that we can truly break down barriers, reshape systems, and create lasting change. To our investors, thank you for believing in our mission and making our shared vision a reality. And as we ring in a new year, let’s reaffirm our commitment to work in partnership, listen to learner voices, and design opportunities that will shape a more equitable future. 

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with the promise of all that we can accomplish together. 

In gratitude and partnership, 

The Team at The Attainment Network