Home Builders Association of Denver | Colorado Job-Ready Students initiative advances training within the construction industry

Colorado Job-Ready Students initiative advances training within the construction industry

The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver (HBA), in partnership with the Colorado Construction Institute (CCI), is pleased by the recent legislation that Governor Hickenlooper signed into law earlier this month. House Bill 1289: Job-Ready Students supports school districts in adopting education practices that prepare students to meet Colorado’s emerging workforce needs. The collaborative efforts between the HBA and CCI was the catalyst for this type of bill, as their successful training platforms served as an example of the educational programs needed across the Denver Metro area.

The Job-Ready Students initiative authorizes school districts to receive $1,000 in bonus funding for each student who, (1) earns an industry credential tied to an in-demand job, (2) finishes a rigorous workplace training program tied to key industry needs, or (3) successfully completes a Computer Science AP course. Students who benefit from this program will be better able to secure in-demand jobs that deliver high wages.

"The HBA is focused on the labor shortage and providing education for the workforce of the future. I am happy to see the state help school districts implement funding for this type of essential educational programming,” said Craig Campbell, president of the HBA of Metro Denver. “Colorado needs to develop a workforce now and for years to come. Starting this development at the high school level is the best place to begin. This legislation will support the work we’ve begun through our Building Pathways partnerships with the industry and high schools.”

Building Pathways is a partnership between the HBA and area high schools that brings CCI’s hands-on construction skills training onto school campuses. Central to Building Pathways is a Project-Based Learning approach wherein students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills as they complete hands-on projects. Building Pathways uses the construction industry as a baseline for skills development applicable to countless professions – from tradesman, to office manager, to architect and engineer. Today, Building Pathways operates in three school districts across Metro Denver.

The HBA hopes the new legislation will encourage more schools to bring Building Pathways to their campus. It provides a critical funding mechanism to reimburse schools for the costs of high-quality technical skills training and Project-Based Learning. With the support of the state, school districts can expand career-training opportunities for Colorado’s youth to meet the employment needs of the future.

For more information on Building Pathways, visit www.buildingpathways.org. To learn more about the HBA Construction Skills Development Initiative, please contact Michael Smith at Michael.Smith@CCIDenver.org or call 303-241-9220.