3AC1471B9C08D8FC872583A0005569A3 Hearing Summary

Eric Ward, Assistant Director of Pickens Technical College (Pickens), began his presentation.  He spoke about the three Area Technical Colleges (ATCs) in Colorado, which include Pickens, Emily Griffith, and Technical College of the Rockies.  Mr. Ward spoke about the types of programs offered by ATCs.  Several handouts were distributed to the committee (Attachments C and D).

Shannon Nicholas, Chief of Staff, Colorado Succeeds, spoke about the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to the business community.  She discussed the need to develop a framework for agile learning,  and the interplay between experiential learning, systematic learning, and CTE.  Kelly Caufield, Vice President of Government Affairs, Colorado Succeeds, and Jesus Salazar, President of Prosono and member of the Colorado Succeeds board of directors, spoke about the challenges faced by businesses in recruiting, hiring, and retaining skilled workers, and the need for school districts to adapt and train students to be able to enter skilled vocations.  Mr. Salazar discussed several lessons learned pertaining to addressing CTE and business needs in the state, including understanding supply and demand and the need to create multiple pathways to the middle class.  The presenters discussed the connection between manufacturing and technical advances.  Ms. Caufield spoke about several innovative CTE programs at various school districts around the state.