New Colorado program provides no-cost training for workers in key high-demand fields
In an effort to address workforce shortages in critical areas, the state of Colorado is covering the cost of earning certificates or degrees through technical and community colleges, including Front Range and Aims.
The new program, Career Advance Colorado, was launched this month to prepare more than 20,000 people for careers in construction, firefighting, forestry, law enforcement, nursing and teaching while funding is available. The program will cover the cost of tuition, fees, course materials and other related expenses associated with earning an associate degree or certificate.
To enroll, students must apply for federal and/or state financial aid and contact the participating community college or technical school for additional details. A list of participating schools and programs is available on the Colorado Community College System website, cccs.edu.
Career Advance Colorado builds on the success of the state’s Care Forward Colorado program, which continues to cover student costs for short-term health care training while program funding is available.
“We’re excited to save Coloradans money and train people for good-paying jobs by offering free community college education for in-demand positions at the state’s 19 community and technical colleges,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a news release. “We know this will work thanks to the success of Care Forward Colorado, and we’re happy to continue leading the way forward on innovative solutions to our workforce challenges.”
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Front Range Community College, which has campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont and Westminster, offers associate degree programs that qualify in early childhood education, elementary education and nursing, according to an informational page on its website, frontrange.edu. Students can also earn certificates through the program at FRCC in four areas of early childhood education — director, teacher, paraeducator, assistant teacher — as well as in forestry, wildland fire and practical nursing.
Aims Community College, which has campuses in Greeley, Windsor, Loveland and Fort Lupton, offers qualifying programs in construction, early childhood education, elementary education, firefighting, law enforcement and nursing, the school said in a news release. It also has an informational page on the program on its website, aims.edu.
Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, twitter.com/KellyLyell or facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: New Colorado program offers no-cost training in key high-demand fields
