Policy Papers Highlight Critical Opportunities in Colorado’s Education-to-Workforce Systems

December 16, 2024

We’re excited to share our new policy papers highlighting opportunities to expand career pathways for all learners and meet critical workforce needs in communities throughout Colorado.

  1. Advancing Credit Transferability in Colorado
    Examine how seamless credit transfer pathways can reduce barriers, improve college completion rates, and help learners achieve their goals more efficiently.  Read More
  2. Building a System Where Learner Experience Counts 
    Explore the potential of stackable credentials to help learners navigate career pathways, gain in-demand skills, and achieve upward mobility. Read More
  3. Targeted Solutions to Address Colorado’s Teacher Pipeline Challenges
    Review the complexities of Colorado’s educator pipeline, from workforce gaps in critical subject areas to the persistent inequities in teacher diversity and rural access. Read More
  4. Colorado’s Data Infrastructure: The Power of the Big Picture
    Explore the vision for a seamless, statewide data system linking K-12, higher education, and workforce outcomes. Learn how we can provide families, educators, and policymakers with the complete picture needed to drive smart investments and improve opportunities for all Coloradans. Read More


Each paper provides an in-depth analysis of the issue, explores best practices and highlights actionable recommendations to address systemic challenges and build more inclusive education-to-workforce systems.


March 11, 2025
Innovations and Next Steps with Transfer Systems
March 5, 2025
After a rigorous and transparent search process, our board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Rana Tarkenton as our new Chief Executive Officer.
February 25, 2025
In 2024, we made meaningful progress in strengthening education-to-career systems across Colorado. In collaboration with our partners and investors, we’ve helped more learners and earners access opportunities, supported local workforce needs, and built stronger, more connected communities. We invite you to explore our 2024 Annual Report , where we share key milestones and the impact of our collective work. Read the Report Here Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025!
February 3, 2025
The latest updates on Colorado’s new longitudinal data system
January 29, 2025
CREATING COMMUNITY AND ADVANCING LEARNING
December 19, 2024
Thank you for partnering with us to empower learners and strengthen communities.
December 10, 2024
Join representatives from the Governor’s Office and community partners from the Better Data for Better Decisions coalition for a virtual meeting hosted by The Attainment Network on January 30 at 10 a.m. to hear the latest updates on the development of Colorado’s new statewide longitudinal data system. Be a part of the conversation as we seek to create shared understanding and collaboratively envision the potential of a secure, relevant, accurate, and user-centered system to empower informed decision-making and smart investments. With so much momentum and so much good work happening, make sure your voice is included as we envision how we will use data in our work to serve learners and earners and meet critical workforce needs across Colorado.  This virtual event is free and open to stakeholders of all professional expertise!
July 25, 2024
In partnership with Colorado Department of Education (CDE), The Attainment Network seeks Community Voice Evaluation Consultants to more fully develop a landscape review of Colorado career advising resources across sectors, and inform recommendations on unmet needs, best practices, and opportunities for efficiency and innovation in career advising to support learners and earners in pursuit of their goals. Deadline for submission is August 8th, 2024. For more information see the full RFP here .
July 24, 2024
The State of Data - August 2024
June 27, 2024
Several organizations are leveraging L/Earner Voice Grants to ensure the perspectives of learners and earners are incorporated into the development of critical policies and efforts to expand equitable opportunities for learners to acquire the credentials they need to succeed at high-value, in-demand jobs. Juntos and the Colorado Department of Higher Education are both planning to conduct surveys and focus groups with learners and earners, while Young Invincibles, Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative, and the Learning Economy Foundation are hosting meetings to discuss transformational policies with learners and earners. Juntos will survey and interview immigrants and refugees who are working to acquire the skills and education needed to enter licensed professions in Colorado. Insights from this research will help connect learners with information about career pathways and support advocacy efforts to expand access to licensed professions for immigrants and refugees. The Colorado Department of Higher Education is collecting data on the experiences of learners pursuing careers in education, especially those engaged in stackable credential pathways as outlined in the 2022 Opportunity for Credential Attainment legislation. CDHE will conduct focus groups and distribute a survey to gather valuable feedback from learners and earners. Young Invincibles has formed a Learner Voice Coalition, comprising current learners enrolled in higher education programs alongside advocacy organizations and higher education policy groups. The L/Earner Voice Grant will support the coalition’s inaugural retreat, providing a foundation to amplify learner voices in higher education and workforce policy. Participants will co-create the coalition’s vision, discuss best practices for work-based learning, engage employers in career-connected learning, and strategize on incorporating learner and earner voices into updated policies and proposed legislation. Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative , known as CEEMI, has already used its Learner Voice Grant to host a meeting with U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. This event focused on the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, highlighting the voices of learners, earners, and lessons from implementation across Colorado in this crucial policy discussion. Learning Economy Foundation will use its L/Earner Voice Grant to conduct a focus group with adult learners and earners to better understand their perspective on AI, digital wallets, Learning and Employment Records, and general principles of data ownership, agency, and self-advocacy. Feedback from the session will be used to inform a shared, learner-driven definition of success and the value of technology-assisted, career-connected education pathways. Join us in congratulating these organizations for including learner and earner perspectives in policy-making to create more inclusive and effective solutions.
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RECENT ARTICLES

March 11, 2025
Innovations and Next Steps with Transfer Systems
March 5, 2025
After a rigorous and transparent search process, our board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Rana Tarkenton as our new Chief Executive Officer.
February 25, 2025
In 2024, we made meaningful progress in strengthening education-to-career systems across Colorado. In collaboration with our partners and investors, we’ve helped more learners and earners access opportunities, supported local workforce needs, and built stronger, more connected communities. We invite you to explore our 2024 Annual Report , where we share key milestones and the impact of our collective work. Read the Report Here Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025!
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