Two innovative organizations have recently been awarded L/Earner Voice Grants from The Attainment Network to integrate learner perspectives into their career exploration and internship initiatives.

Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School will use the grant funding to enhance career exploration opportunities, while the Denver Scholarship Foundation plans to use the funding to establish career coaching support for all scholars and enhance internship opportunities for men of color.

• The Denver Scholarship Foundation will use its $2,500 mini-grant to engage current scholars or recent alumni in roundtable discussions. These discussions will help incorporate learner voices into two initiatives – establishing career coaching for current scholars and enhancing a professional workplace shadowing and mentorship program for young men of color. Both initiatives aim to equip DSF scholars with the durable skills needed to succeed in internships, apprenticeships, and ultimately in high-value, high-wage careers. 
• Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins High School will invest in multimedia production and a peer mentoring program to increase awareness of career exploration opportunities among high school students. Students in media classes will conduct video interviews, collect written testimonials, and capture photographs of students who have benefited from career exploration. These materials will be shared on the website, highlighted in weekly student announcements, and used during student recruiting tours. Additionally, the mentoring program will connect current students who have participated in career exploration events with those who have yet to learn about or partake in these activities.

Join us in celebrating these organizations and their efforts to amplify learner voices into initiatives that will help learners acquire the real-world skills and education that lead to jobs in high-need, in-demand, high value industries!