CCCS awards $23K to Sargent School

MONTE VISTA - The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) announced $1,787,936 in grants to help Colorado high schools and colleges expand career technical education (CTE).


The Innovations in CTE Grant was made possible by the state’s new Strategic Plan for CTE, funded by federal Perkins dollars, to fund projects that align with the plan, encourage  partnerships, and reflect innovative ideas or practices that advance CTE programming.


This is the first time CCCS has awarded the Innovations in CTE grants. An expert panel that included business and workforce representatives, reviewed competitive proposals and determined 12 grants for award ranging from $23,000 to Sargent School District to $248,000 to Pueblo and Lamar Community Colleges.


“We are excited to make these awards and offer meaningful investments in high quality CTE projects that will positively impact CTE students, educators and programs across the state,” said Dr. Sarah Heath, state director for Career Technical Education and associate vice chancellor at the Colorado Community College System.


Gants recipients reflect the wide range of where and how CTE is offered, including school districts, colleges, area technical colleges and school cooperatives, and represent regions across the state in rural, suburban and urban locations.


“This will be a great opportunity for thousands of young people who want to combine in-demand job-training skills with relevant classroom education,” said Joe Garcia, chancellor of the Colorado Community College System.


With these additional funds, the selected groups will go above-and-beyond in supporting and preparing students for the workforce. Activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Developing work-based learning opportunities
Creating world-class laboratory simulations that supports both in-person and online learning
Creating a new apprenticeship program for Veterinary Technology
Strengthening the pipeline for industry-ready Equipment Technicians, specifically for the Agriculture sector
Purchasing industry equipment
Resources to develop new professional development opportunities for staff